May 21, 2003 The bike was happy today – it had been rinsed by the rain, and wiped down by Team Zell/Linn before being put to bed for the night. After a nice lube this morning, it took us nicely to Pittsburgh. The riders are doing fine. We are a little tired, but hanging in there. Today was easy, so tomorrow we should be strong. Today was an easy ride from Greensburg to Pittsburgh. That is to say it was easy relative to the last two days. Today we climbed about 2300 feet in 30 miles, so the legs were not taxed so much. What was taxed, however, were our senses. We traveled most of the way on Highway 30, and the traffic was moderate, but loud. In addition, occasionally the shoulder would disappear, and we would have to move out into traffic. Fortunately, the drivers out here are un-California-like, and they made room for us and just generally took good care of us. The fact that we are flying an American flag on the back of the trailer helps. We decided that we wanted to ride into downtown Pittsburgh, so that we could get a look at the confluence of the Ohio and Monongahela Rivers. It was an interesting experience to ride in this density of urban traffic. We just pretended that we were a car, and made out okay. The drivers, again, took good care of us. We only had two problems: a bus tried to brush us off, and an eighteen-wheeler got within about a foot of our left elbows (and, there were cars parked on the other side of us.). However, we kept our cool, and things worked out. Our hotel is right in the middle of the University of Pittsburgh complex. This campus is very impressive. We visited the Cathedral of Learning – the signature building of the campus, and were amazed at its beauty. Outside it looks like a 50”s high-rise, but inside it looks like the typical European cathedral. It is again time to catch up with Meriwether Lewis. He has just arrived from Harper’s Ferry, WV, where he received his arms for the expedition. Here in Pittsburgh, he is picking up the keelboat that will take him through to the Pacific Ocean via navigable waterways. He doesn’t know yet that he has some mountains in his way. He also doesn’t know that his boat isn’t ready. He will have to do serious battle to get the builder to put a priority on his work. Meriwether is also in touch with William Clark. He and Clark have agreed that they will share command of the expedition, and that Clark will meet him further down the Ohio River near Clark’s farm in Indiana. Tomorrow, Team Zell/Linn will begin following the river route taken by Meriwether Lewis to St. Louis. Our next stop, we hope, is Wheeling, WV. Ron