Marion, Galion, Shelby & Mansfield

MESA Tour, Day 6: Marion-Galion-Shelby-Mansfield

Thursday already? Do we really have to be done yet? It’s hard to believe this is our

last day. The forecast looks gorgeous…except for the headwinds out of the east. But

with mild temperatures and low humidity, the winds should be tolerable. Oh…but

there’s those hills…

Day 6 bike repair

We congregated at Heritage Park on the outskirts of Marion, where we discovered Kim

Pepple had worn her tires to shreds. Out came the repair stand, the tool kit, the spare

tires, and the bike mechanics had Kim on fresh rubber in no time. A NASCAR pit crew

would have been proud. We also met Mansfield Rotarian Rick Blahnik and his wife

Linda, who would ride with us back into Mansfield. Also rejoining us…again…was Bill

Matajasic from Vermilion, who explained, “It’s just too much fun not to do.”

Bill Pepple gives instructions at Galion rest stop

Shelby RC President Natalie Lantz presents a donation

Are we there already? Before we knew it, we were coasting into Galion, where we had

a quick pit stop before heading out to Shelby. Riding into Shelby, we were greeting

by signs along the route, “Welcome MESA Riders!” This can-do club understands

publicity in a big way, thanks to president and graphics designer, Natalie Lantz, and

club members who put serious energy behind their projects. Their sizeable turn-out,

wonderful lunch, publicity, and financial support is an inspirational reminder of every

club’s potential. Thank-you Shelby Rotary for your enthusiastic support for MESA!

In Shelby another rider developed a flat…once again calling out the quick-acting

mechanics who got everyone on the road without delay.

 If 4’10 inch Angelica can ride the whole way,

 anyone can do it, right?

The ride into Mansfield was a breeze. Unfortunately it was going the wrong way.

Nonetheless, the hills seemed less daunting without the heat we had usually

encountered on this stretch, and we arrived in Mansfield shortly after 3 PM. Prior Tour

rider and Mansfield Rotarian Jim DeSanto had wisely arranged a police escort to meet

us at a park on the outskirts of town and shepherd us through downtown traffic. But

first we had to fix another flat—the mechanics now had this task down to 80 seconds.

In short order we arrived at our final destination, The Conard House at Mansfield

Memorial Homes, where the Mansfield Rotary hosted a dinner and final celebration,

including a MESA donation presented by President Ray Laughman.

Mansfield RC President Ray Loughman 

presents checks to MESA 

Hungry riders Bill, Randy, Becky & Herb 

in the Mansfield chow line

 The “brain trust” comparing notes.

 Group photo at the Conard House 

as the riders bid each other adieu.

Are we done yet? Not quite. By every definition this year’s ride was a wonderful

success. Approximately 30 total riders, nineteen clubs visited, and $30,000.00 already

collected and more pledges to be paid in. But are we done? Not by a long shot. The

need remains great, the mission still calls, the road still beckons, and as Matajasic

noted, “It’s just too much fun not to do.”

So, definitely not done. We’re already recruiting other riders and developing plans for

next year’s most inspirational week on the District calendar! How will YOU be a part of

it?

Kurt Anderson

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL RIDERS. YOU HAVE REALLY ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING FOR MESA!

Upper Sandusky, Bucyrus and Marion

After breakfast at the hotel in Tiffin, our riders congregated for equipment checks and last minute instructions.  We were thankful for the arrangements by the Tiffin Rotary, which placed us in a hotel very near the route.  We rode out under hazy skies and temperatures in the upper 60's--ideal riding weather.

Our next stop was an 11:00 lunch with the Upper Sandusky club, which had rescheduled its regular Monday meeting to coincide with our tour.  The 23-mile route took us through some of Ohio's most bucolic countryside.  Long steady climbs were rewarded by fast downhills, topping over 30 mph in places.

In Upper Sandusky we were greeted by club president Jenny Romich, MESA coordinator Jessica Moon, and other club members at a local park, where this 35-member club had helped build a pavilion and also an amphitheater.  After a lunch courtesy of Special Occasions Catering, we participated in the club's weekly meeting by sharing the fun and purpose of the Tour for MESA.

From Upper Sandusky we rode on to Bucyrus.  By now the skies had cleared, and both the temperature and winds were rising.  We were glad for the break provided by the Bucyrus Club at the Rotary "Field of Dreams", a complex of 3 baseball fields and a pavilion...an amazing contribution by a 50-member club.  President Christina Fox and immediate past president Phil Harris, along with other club members, provided fruit, snacks, drinks...and running updates on the US v. France Women's World Cup semi-final soccer match.

We headed to Marion impressed by the tremendous local and international effect of the two clubs in Upper Sandusky and Bucyrus.  It was a reminder that with dedication and effort, every Rotary club can have a profound influence, regardless of its size.  We certainly appreciated their contribution to our journey and to the mission of MESA.

                     
      Bikers celebrate arrival in Marion with iced tea libations



Next stop, Marion...and a much-anticipated dinner at one of the Tour's favorite stops.  As if sensing our anticipation, the winds provided a tailwind and we cruised into Marion averaging 20 mph or more.  We rendevouzed with MESA coordinator Scott Shawver, who directed us to our lodgings.  After showers we met at The Warehouse, an Italian restaurant owned by Marion Rotarian Tim Kildow and located in the delightfully restored Inter Urban Railway Freight Station.  We were hosted by club president and Marion City School District superintendent, Dr. James Barney, club board member and Marion County Family Court judge, Hon. Deborah Alspach, and Scott Shawver.  The meal was predictably delightful--including three different pasta dishes--and we enjoyed Shawver's description of the Marion club's significant recent contributions to MESA including dental chairs, examination table, x-ray equipment, and financial contributions of more than $1,100.00.

All in all, an awesome day.  Great riding, great Rotary fellowship, and continued awareness of and contributions to the mission of Medical Equipment and Supplies Abroad.

Tomorrow...our final day.  Not quite the fabled Pyrenees in the Tour de France, but the hills of Mansfield are no piece of cake.


Kurt Anderson

Perrysburg to Fremont to Tiffin

Day 4: Perrysburg-Fremont-Tiffin
                                  
                            Breakfast in Perrysburg
Tuesday’s morning round-up was pushed back to 8:15, giving us some time to sleep
in. Our hosts brought us back to the Carranor Hunt & Polo club, where we grabbed a
continental breakfast, assembled our bikes (storage in the truck involves removing the
front wheel), and got final directions. Thanks again to the Perrysburg Rotary for its
tremendous hospitality and support!

Today our numbers were boosted to 19 by the arrival of Sylvania Rotarian Stephanie
White despite still recovering from an emergency appendectomy only four weeks ago.
Also re-joining us was Vermilion Rotarian Bill Matajasic, who had ridden Saturday and
Sunday but had work commitments yesterday.

Although temperatures were predicted to reach the 90’s, we enjoyed tailwinds out of
the north as we headed southeast toward Elmore. Surprisingly, despite yesterday’s
downpours, humidity was quite tolerable.
                          
                       Bike Repairs in Elmore


In Elmore, we stopped at the bicycle shop of Fremont Rotarian Dan Waggoner, who
operates shops in both towns. Waggoner provided refreshments, adjustments to
some bikes, and discounts on some necessary equipment purchases, including new
sunglasses to help Bill Pepple look faster.

From Elmore we followed the North Coast Inland Trail into Fremont, home of our
intrepid rider Angelica Foos-Rinehart. At the outskirts of Fremont we were met by a
police escort, which shepherded us to the Birchard Public Library. An inspirational sight
along the downtown route was signs placed by Fremont Rotarians welcoming the 2011
Tour for MESA.
                                      
                        Baby quilt donation in Fremont


At lunch Fremont club president Dick Binau presented MESA with a check for $1,000.00.
Additionally, MESA committee chair Pam Hoesman—who organized Fremont’s
promotions, fund-raising, meeting, and lunch—also presented more than 60 hand-
quilted receiving-blankets to send to Honduras. The quilts were inspired by a report
from a visiting Rotarian who had noticed that Honduran hospitals were sending mothers
home with their newborns swaddled in newspaper, due to a shortage of blanket
material. It was an eye-opening reminder of the needs in other communities, and the
effect one Rotary club can have. Thank-you, Fremont Rotary!
                              
    Fremont RC President Binau presents a donation


We finished our 63-mile trek into Tiffin along the picturesque Sandusky River. We
arrived in Tiffin in time to join a MESA committee planning meeting, with a pizza dinner
provided by Tiffin Rotarian Dave Langendorfer. We were also met by newly-installed
Tiffin club president, Elaine Whitman-Daugherty, who provided instructions and
directions for our overnight accommodations at a local hotel. Our riders were delighted
to learn they would have the refreshment of a swimming pool. Thanks, Tiffin Rotary!

                           
           On the Road from Tiffin to Upper Sandusky


Over the past four days, we have averaged 65 miles per day, visited 13 Rotary clubs,
and collected contributions pushing total MESA Tour receipts to date over $24,000.00.
While we still have a long way to finish our goal of $65,000.00, we are enthused by the
participation, hospitality, and generosity of Rotary clubs throughout the district who are
helping us toward a goal, both as a riding Tour and—far more importantly—a service-
sustaining fund-raiser for Medical Equipment and Supplies Abroad. We look forward to
furthering that goal over the final 3 days of the Tour, and are grateful to all the clubs
who have contributed or made commitments so far.

Kurt Anderson

Defiance to Findlay to Perrysburg

On Sunday morning our Defiance hosts delivered us back to Kissner’s, where owner Karl Kissner had opened specifically to serve us a buffet breakfast, with custom-ordered eggs.  Past president Jean Hubbard again hosted us, along with several members of the Defiance Rotary.   Their support, including a MESA donation of $1,000.00, was a great start to our day.

After routine bike and equipment checks, we received final instructions from Hill Billy, who assured us today’s route was “reasonably flat.”  We chuckled and rolled our eyes, but it turned out to be true.  The sky was still clear blue and hot, but not as bad as Saturday. 

It being Sunday, our faster “A” team decided to leave late so some riders could attend an early church service.  Their timing was perfect, passing the main group and arriving only about 10 minutes ahead, instead of the normal 30.

                      Bill Pepple interviewed by WLIO TV

             Motorcycles parked at the Findlay MESA Fest

       Herb de la Porte studies the day's route maps

We rolled into Ottawa for lunch with the Ottawa-Glandorf club, home of our rider-philosopher Ken “Preacher Man” Pollitz.  The Ottawa-Glandorf club and president Mike Ruhe presented MESA with a check for $1,000.00, and Bill Pepple was interviewed by the local Fox News station.  We then headed out to Findlay for the last leg of our 68-mile day.

In Findlay we convened at the city limits and rode “en masse” to the picnic pavilion of the Hancock County Council on Aging, where MESAfest would celebrate MESA’s 30^th birthday.   We were greeted by the Findlay Rotary and MESA chairman and past district governor Jim Schroeder.  After meeting our hosts and being politely escorted to showers, we returned to the pavilion to enjoy MESAfest.  On hand were various MESA and District 6600 notables, including Dave Dougherty, who drove his motorcycle from Mansfield as part of the fledgling MESA motorcycle tour.  A Lima TV crew recorded the festivities, complete with an interview of Jim Shrader and a tour of MESA’s Findlay warehouse.  As it turned out, Pepple’s interview in Ottawa was aired on the 6 o’clock news, and the Tour and MESAfest led the 11 o’clock news.

Monday morning we were again treated to a buffet breakfast by the Findlay morning Rotary Club.  Although encouraged otherwise, numerous riders contributed their own “happy bucks” to express the fun, comraderie, and Rotary spirit they were enjoying on the ride, and their gratitude for the selfless hospitality of the clubs and individual host families along the way.  Findlay Flag City Rotary President Matt Klein presented MESA a check to send us on our way.

The ride out of Findlay to North Baltimore was a cyclist’s dream.  Overcast skies, a tailwind, and straight slightly down-sloping roads that pushed the A-Team’s average speeds to nearly 25 mph…over 30 mph for Herb and Eric on their tandem.  We were reminded, however, of the inherent dangers of country roads, as one rider—despite slow speed and care—slipped on gravel and went down while negotiating a corner.  Fortunately, a scraped knee, scraped elbow, and well-tested helmet were the only consequences.  (And yes…helmets are obligatory for on the MESA tour, where safety is a paramount concern).

In North Baltimore we were greeted by none other than our own support driver and MESA warehouse director, Gary Davis, along with Rotarian Jim Miller.   A brief pit stop at the beginning of the Slippery Elm hiking-biking trail got on our last leg to our lunchtime destination in Bowling Green.

      Bowling Green RC President delivers a donation

We met the Bowling Green Rotary club, including president Dinah Vincent, at the Stone Shelter at Bowling Green City Park.  We feasted on Honeybaked ham sandwiches, but watched with apprehension as thunder rolled in the distance, the skies began to darken, and the winds began to pick up.  Quick glances at our cell phones showed 2 storm fronts charging in from the west.  Sure enough, the first front hit before lunch was over.

The rain couldn’t dampen the Rotary spirit, however, as Vincent presented Bill Pepple with a check for MESA in the amount of $500.00.  We are profusely thankful to each of the clubs who have hosted us, not only for their hospitality, but for the generous support of the MESA mission.

After the first storm front passed through, we launched our assault on Waterville.  But even with Preacher Man Pollitz leading the charge at 26 mph, we were stopped in our tracks only half-way there by the faster-charging second front.  We found shelter under garage overhangs and in barns to escape gale-force winds (strong enough to blow the cornfields flat), enough rain to feed Niagra Falls, and lightning strikes long enough to whistle “Singing in the Rain.” 

Fortunately, in about 15 minutes the front dwindled to a light rain.  The last 8 miles into Waterville were wet but fun…another memorable experience to add to MESA Tour lore.

We were a group of soggy fish to be greeted by the Waterville Rotary, including District Secretary Jerry Peacock…but smiles all around.  Especially when President Mike Carroll presented a $250.00 check for MESA.

With that boost we pushed the last 9 miles into Perrysburg, arriving early enough to clean our bikes and enjoy some liquid refreshment before our hosts arrived to pick us up.  The skies cleared, the temperature cooled, and after cleaning up (and drying out) we were ready to enjoy the hospitality of the Perrysburg Rotary at the Carranor Hunt & Polo Club.

Hurricane weather is no match for the sunshine of Rotary fellowship and the joy of teamwork in a worthwhile goal.


Kurt Anderson

Bryan to Defiance

The 2011 Tour for MESA was scheduled to kick off with a pre-ride reception hosted by the Bryan Rotary club on Friday evening, July 8.  However, Toledo Rotation Mark Makulinski couldn't contain his excitement and started his own personal tour early, riding the 75 miles from Toledo to to meet the more than 20 other riders at the Orchard Hill Country Club in Bryan 

As part of the festivities the 23 riders were asked to introduce themselves and explain why they would embark on a journey of such personal torture.   Aside from a couple lame excuses like "My son talked me into it", virtually every rider shared the joy of living out Rotary's motto, Service Above Self.  Of course, camaraderie, hilarious fun, and unlimited gastronomic indulgence were also high on list.

The festivities were only slightly dampened by the announcement that this year's Chief Tour Coordinator, Billy Jo Ray Bob "Hill Billy" Pepple, was being disqualified after failing a random pre-race drug test, which revealed excessive amounts of chocolate milk.  Following the great meal and Bill Roast, the riders matched up with their hosts to retire for the evening.

At 7:30 am we gathered for breakfast courtesy of Phil Ennon and Community Hospital of Williams County.  We were met by several additional riders, including past District Governor Paul Smith's daughter Deb, and Elyria Paul Harris Fellow Sam Speck.  After proclamations by Bryan mayor Doug Johnson and Rotary District 6600 governor  Helyn Bolanis and a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the riders were off on the first leg of a 68-mile day, under clear skies and the blissful misimpression that Williams County was flat.

In Bryan at the Start of Day 1

The Ribbon Cutting

PDG Perkins Lead the Pack

The Hicksville Opera House

Our first rest stop was hosted by the Montpelier Rotary club, where we bid farewell to District Special Projects Director and past District Governor Dave Perkins.  His companionship is always an inspiration.

We continued on to Edgerton, with the growing realization that "Hill Billy" had moved every single hill in the county onto our route.  The break in Edgerton was most refreshing, as was their club contribution of  $500.

We were hosted for lunch by the Hicksville Rotary club and president Keith Countryman at the charming Hicksville Opera House.  Countryman explained the Opera House was built in the late 1800's and popularized by production companies traveling by rail between Chicago and New York, who would stop for a practice performance in Hicksville.  

The leg from Hicksville to Defiance was beastly.  The sun had baked the pavement to 102 degrees, and sucked hydration out seemingly faster than it could be replaced.  Fortunately, support drivers Carl Norris and Gary Davis were well stocked and shepherded us to our destination at the Defiance YMCA.

After 20 minutes of recovery time in the air-conditioned foyer, we went to our respective host homes for badly needed showers.  We then met the Defiance Rotary club and past-president Jean Hubbard at  Kistner's for a buffet dinner, including the best roast beef in Hancock County.
We laughed, enjoyed fellowship, and congratulated each other for surviving a difficult but worthwhile day.  We slept the sleep of the satisfied, deeply appreciative of the hospitality and support of so many generous clubs.