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Day 1 — Findlay to Lima, 58 Miles


We're off! Day one of the 2026 Rotary Tour for MESA is in the books: 58 miles, 17 riders, 2 drivers, and a healthy dose of Ohio headwind to keep things interesting.


Our send-off started the night before, actually. Two Findlay Rotary clubs — Findlay Rotary and Findlay Flag City Rotary — hosted us with dinner, breakfast, and a hotel for the night.

It was a genuinely lovely stay, but let's be honest about the real highlight: Dietsch Brothers ice cream bars. We were told they were the best in town. They were not exaggerating.
It was a genuinely lovely stay, but let's be honest about the real highlight: Dietsch Brothers ice cream bars. We were told they were the best in town. They were not exaggerating.

We woke up to pouring rain, which is not exactly the forecast you hope for on a cycling tour. Lucky for us, it cleared up fast and the skies dried out right before we clipped in — one of those small mercies you learn to appreciate on tour.
We woke up to pouring rain, which is not exactly the forecast you hope for on a cycling tour. Lucky for us, it cleared up fast and the skies dried out right before we clipped in — one of those small mercies you learn to appreciate on tour.
With 17 riders on the road, we spread out naturally over the course of the day. What spread us out even further was a brutal headwind, blowing straight out of the west — which, infuriatingly, was the exact direction we were heading for most of the ride. Nothing humbles a cyclist quite like watching your average speed crater while you're pedaling as hard as you can.
With 17 riders on the road, we spread out naturally over the course of the day. What spread us out even further was a brutal headwind, blowing straight out of the west — which, infuriatingly, was the exact direction we were heading for most of the ride. Nothing humbles a cyclist quite like watching your average speed crater while you're pedaling as hard as you can.
The reward for surviving the wind: Ada Rotary put together a fantastic picnic lunch for us, and we got to sit down, refuel, and actually talk with their members for a while — one of the best parts of these tours is getting to meet the Rotarians who make it possible.
The reward for surviving the wind: Ada Rotary put together a fantastic picnic lunch for us, and we got to sit down, refuel, and actually talk with their members for a while — one of the best parts of these tours is getting to meet the Rotarians who make it possible.
We rolled into Lima around 3:00, made a beeline for our downtown hotel, cleaned up, and headed out for a dinner of brats and hot dogs. Hard to beat that combo after 58 miles.
We rolled into Lima around 3:00, made a beeline for our downtown hotel, cleaned up, and headed out for a dinner of brats and hot dogs. Hard to beat that combo after 58 miles.
Lima Rotary had one more surprise waiting for us: tickets to a concert band performance happening in town that evening, featuring John Philip Sousa marches.
Lima Rotary had one more surprise waiting for us: tickets to a concert band performance happening in town that evening, featuring John Philip Sousa marches.
It was a perfect way to cap the day — sore legs, full stomachs, and a healthy dose of patriotic brass.
It was a perfect way to cap the day — sore legs, full stomachs, and a healthy dose of patriotic brass.

One day down, four to go. Tomorrow we head south to St Marys and then on to New Bremen. It's about 10 miles shorter and the forecast says the winds are light... not sure I believe it! Good night!

 
 
 

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