You have gone through your checklist, grabbed a breakfast, dressed in your most comfortable riding togs, loaded your bike and gear and are headed to Canal Fulton or Kidron to check in for the annual Roscoe Ramble. Soon you will head out on a 75 or 55 mile ride for the day. How hot will it be? Do you have plenty of sunscreen and water? Where's that SAG car? Early on the ride, just left the towns be
hind. Entering farm country. Yes, that's a horse and buggy just ahead. Look out for those reminders of life on an Amish country road. Aww, the interesting smells of corn fields, freshly mown fields and newly digested hay! A rest stop is ahead. Looking forward to fruit, pastries, coffee and those oh so yummy Amish cookies. Back on the bike to enjoy the ride until lunch. We bike to eat. Lunch on the Amish farm is a staple of the Roscoe Ramble. This is the time to stretch out under the trees, swap stories with riders and, if you are willing to stay long enough for lunch to wind down, catch up with the family hosts who are genuinely happy to share memories of past rides and bring you up to speed and what's been happening with their families. Afternoon on the bike can be hot and humid. You climb a hill and look for a water stop and shade. Just a little breather before reaching Coshocton. Maybe it will rain. As long as its light, a welcome relief. Reaching Coshocton to pick up the gear and head to lodging. Time to rest a little and clean up, grab an ice cream at the village, (maybe time for a short swim?) before heading to the annual Roscoe Ramble banquet. A good time is had by all at the Grace United Methodist Church with lots of delicious food, tired but happy faces, and prizes. Dinner is over. Now more choices. Head to the village with friends to enjoy a cold beer, back to the pool or kick back at the campground? Bed will feel good and sleep will seem too short before heading to breakfast and back on the road in the morning. Another day of lots of hills, a shady spot or two, more buggies, this time passing families on the way to church or later to a family get-together. Lots of smiling faces and cheerful greetings. Looking forward to a bountiful rest stop (Breakfast seems so long ago, maybe I should not have rushed out and enjoyed a more filling breakfast?)
Now for some serious hills as you ride to lunch. ... Did I just pass another water stop? Nice to eat inside. You need a break from the sun. Is there enough for seconds? The ride is looping back to Saturday's starting point. Stopping for ice cream in Canal Futon and heading back to the car. That drive back home seems like a long one. But what a great weekend! You feel great! What an accomplishment! You are part of the 100 plus who rode this year and the thousands who have made this ride!
