Past Columbus, thank God.

Day 30
Distance travelled: 99.4 miles
Time in saddle: 8hrs 15 mins
Overall distance: 2716 miles

You don't know what I had to put up with to get on the Internet last night. The motel, although it was very nice...and cheap it didn't have the WIFI. I had to go to a restaurant, that specialised in pancakes. It was the size of a dinner plate, one on top of the other I only got half way. They seemed confused by my explanation...I was full. She asked me if I wanted a bag...I assured her that I didn't feel sick then realised that she meant a carry out. They kept filling my coffee cup up...no wonder I was awake until about 2.00am. The girl who served me looked very much like my mates daughter. It's amazing, two people thousands of miles apart looking alike.
I cycled for ages and didn't bump into any one, then out of the blue a guy on a motorbike rode along side me and started chatting. His name was Bruce and he was a First Gulf Veteran. He asked me what I was doing and promised to follow the blog. He said Afghanistan would turn out to be another Vietnam....there speaks the word of experience....old soldiers tend to say it the way it is and are not usually far from the truth. Still as I have said I am not interested in the politics....just the well being of our soldiers. It was great to speak to Bruce and I hope he keeps watching the blog.
I went through Columbus, the state capital..I think. It was as rough as arseholes...if you will excuse the expression. I suppose its like all cities, some great buildings but some really run down areas. It was a shame. As I left the city there were some really impressive houses that were probably the homes of some really wealthy people in years gone by. Now they are run down and desperate for renovation. It's a shame when towns 'shift' their areas of wealth. It is the same in Liverpool, some great buildings that once belonged to wealthy merchants, but now are derelict.
I tried to book into a couple of motels in the East of Columbus, but there were really rough and they didn't have WIFI so I decided to cycle on. I didn't fancy any more pancakes. When I asked directions to the next town it became clear that many Americans have no concept of distance in terms of miles....merely in terms of time in a car.
I kept asking how far the next town was....all said about twenty minutes in a car...I told them I was on a bike.....it may as well be a spaceship.
I called at a small town called Kirkersville where I was directed to the motel that I am staying at tonight. The lady in the corner shop was great and she brought her son out to ask where I was going and where I had been. They seemed genuinely interested in what I was doing, which always surprises me. I am a middle aged guy from the UK who cycles everyday....that's about it really...except I have some fantastic people waiting for me when I get home...that makes it special and I can't wait.