June 11 – Pittsburgh, PA to Austintown, OH (75 Miles)

Greeting from Austintown, OH

DHR traveled 84 miles yesterday for a total of 812 miles since leaving Boston.

The forecast was for some rain and highs of 90 degrees, which was pretty much spot on.

We started the day with three riders including full ride partner Mikolaj “Nic” Tropicha-Dolny and Ryan Daniel, who flew in from Vermont. Ryan will take over as rider director for week #3, once Lincoln peels away.

Today was the longest day by miles traveled, but not the hardest since the elevation was much more reasonable. To begin, we rode through the downtown streets of Pittsburgh and along the very scenic North Shore Three Rivers Park walkway/bike path. We also crossed no fewer than a dozen bridges navigating our way out of Pittsburgh. There were also some steep climbs though some of the neighborhoods.

We met and honored some extraordinary dads today. See photos and captions below. The evening was capped off by dinner at the Quaker Steak & Lube. Think Buffalo Wild Wings with a NASCAR theme 🙂

If you’re looking for a Father’s Day gift, please consider a Great Dad Coin as well as purchasing a copy of my new book entitled 21st Century Dads: A Father’s Journey To Break The Cycle Of Father Absence, available on Amazon. Here’s the link. As a reminder, all the proceeds go to charity.

Also, for anyone who donates $100 or more, I will send you an autographed copy of my book.

We’re off to Cleveland today.

Thanks again. Make it a great day!!!

David Hirsch

Ryan and Markos in front of Quaker Steak & Lube. Think Buffalo Wild Wings goes NASCAR.

With Scott Schiller, a single father of two and an Iraq Army veteran, of New Springfield, OH and his daughter Kaitlin who just graduated from high school.

Relaxing after a roadside lunch.

With Wilber McCoy and his niece and nephews.

With Ryan, Dick DeAngelis (coin in hand) and Nic. FYI, there is an identical sign, like the one here, in Copenhagen.

With Dick DeAngelis, 2nd generation proprietor of DeAngelis Donuts and coffee shop founded in 1947, who comped our group on the coffee and donuts. Also, special thanks to his long-time friend, Luther Phillip, a Vietnam veteran (not pictured) for his generous donation.

A view from the start of the North Shore Three Rivers Park walkway/bike path.

A view from the start of the North Shore Three Rivers Park walkway/bike path.

Bridges everywhere.

With Three Rivers Stadium in the background.

Bridge #1 of more than a dozen we crossed leaving Pittsburgh.

One of the more colorful murals in downtown Pittsburgh.

With Ryan Daniel (Vermont) and Mikolaj “Nic” Topincha Dolny (Poland).