Day Six Journal for Friday July 15, 2009

Marion to St. Marys with stops in Kenton and Wapakoneta

Great events are marked by great endings, and today’s finale of the 2009 MESA Tour was no exception.

We began Day Six with an outstanding breakfast at the Marion Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, joined by members of the local club so we could say our farewells for this year and express hopes of returning to their city soon. We were in a bit of a hurry to get started earlier than usual because we knew we were looking at a long day in the saddle.

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Marion to St. Marys with stops in Kenton and Wapakoneta

Day Ride Coordinator
    Cherie Carroll

Breakfast, Ride Preparation and Sign In From: 
    Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, 1197 Mount Vernon Ave, Marion MAP

Lunch Stop Hosted By: Kenton Rotary Club
    Family Video Parking Lot, 125 West Ohio St., Kenton  MAP
    Barb Wingfield - The Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance
    Nathan Brooks - Accommodations

Afternoon Refreshment Stop: Wapakoneta Rotary Club
    The YMCA, 1100 Defiance, Wapakoneta (L) 419-739-9622  MAP
    Ruth Knous - Accommodations

Ride Conclusion, Light Refreshmentsat: 
    Noble School, 16493 St. Marys River Road, St. Marys   MAP
    Linda Vogel - Accommodations
  
Route maps can be downloaded from this link.
     Route Maps for the Tour Day Six

Get Ready to Ride
How to Prepare for the MESA Bike Tour

What Exciting Events are Being Planned for Day Six?

Friday, July 17 – Marion – Wapakoneta – St. Marys – 77 miles. The week up to here has been a tough one. Riding every day, covering about 60 miles each day, with no rest days mixed in is very taxing – especially for us amateurs who ride bikes for a hobby. Today, however should pose the biggest challenge of all –our longest day in miles. And on top of the distance will come the likelihood of dramatic headwinds. All in a good day’s ride.

 

We wind up our week with a lunch stop in Wapakoneta and then finally returning to our “base camp” in St. Marys. The club there will treat us to a special welcoming party to celebrate another successful tour.

 

The tour is a lot more than a bunch of bicyclists riding 400 miles in six days. Compared to many cycling events that is no big feat at all. The tour is as many have said – a team of rolling ambassadors uniting District 6600 in a truly unique rotary event. The tour brings MESA to the local clubs and the clubs come together to raise funds for this wonderful project. The touring cyclists share fellowship among Rotarians and their families all over the district, becoming a uniting force for the Family of Rotary.