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Day 24

EASTERN TIME ZONE...GEEZE!

Yesterday Tomorrow

ROUTE: Lebanon to Richmond IN via Brownsburg and Roark Bicycles

DISTANCE: 104 Miles

TOTAL CLIMBING: 800 feet or so

DAILY REPORT: High 67, slight headwinds 5-10, sunny...the calm before the storm.

The day started out early, but not on the road. We were treated with a tour of the Roark bicycle factory before we rode today. The Roark Bicycle Program Director, Kevin Metzler came up in a van and took all of us to the factory to show us the process of bike building, plus all the new "toys" available to outfit our bikes with the latest and greatest components. The picture left is Keven explaining how they build bicycles in an aerospace factory and why a proper fit is of the utmost importance. The tour also included frames in various stages of assembly, explanation of the welding process, and information on why Roark is a quality product. They only build custom titanium frames and you only have to see one to realize it is quality workmanship...and the ride confirms that fact. I personally have 2, a road bike and a time trial bike, and I love both of them. All in all I had a personal victory this morning...I went on the tour and came out with my credit card intact!

Today's route was developed about 4 years ago. Barb and I researched country roads to get around Indianapolis. When we laid out this route, the roads were quiet and very scenic, but in the last couple years they have built 10 or 12 large housing areas along the route and have cleared several more areas to be constructed soon. Today, we would be riding in a nice quiet area then we would be in a large construction area complete with trucks and graders. At one point they were resurfacing the road and had "Road Closed" signs everywhere...but undaunted, we got permission from the workers to let the riders through, but the vans had to find a short detour around. Everyone got through somehow...at least everyone showed up at lunch. We haven't tallied up the bonus miles yet, but I'm sure several riders got a few today.

But not all areas were too busy as we passed several beautiful horse ranches and some expensive homes on the outskirts of Indianapolis and Noblesville plus lots more trees...a nice change from the never ending corn fields we'd pedaled past the last few days. Our route finally connected to highway 40 in Knightstown where the movie Hoosiers was filmed. From there we took highway 40 all the way to the motel about 500 yards from Ohio...we'll enter another state tomorrow.

Other than the construction, our other challenge today was the winds again. If I had to label this ride I think it would be pesky winds...seems like we've not been too lucky most days with that subject. Today the wind was out of the SE most of the day which made the pedaling a bit heavier, but not too tough. Mike and I were working together in excess of 20 MPH after lunch so today's slight headwind will seem like a tailwind with what's forecast for tomorrow. But one day at a time.

Tonight we are expecting strong storms to cruise through the area. I'm hoping the storms will be gone by tomorrow morning...it's going to cool off, but give us dry and we'll take it. If the forecast is correct, we may be able to outrun the rain most of the day...we'll see.

We are closing in on our destination. It won't be long before we will be dipping our wheels in the Atlantic. But that's still 9 days away...right now, we just take it a day at a time and hope to stay safe. Tomorrow's ride is a great one, but I'm taking bets that everyone will get lost at least once. Ohio has lots of navigation with a turn at least every 2 miles...super ride in the country. Now all we need are winds that come from the west. See you tomorrow.

YOU DON'T SAY:

"I need a new bike."
"You mean you 'want' a new bike."
"No, I need a new bike before my wife sees the credit card statement."

DID I REALLY DO THAT?:

To my boss...I seem to have misplaced my company credit card for a couple hours this morning. If 8 Roark bicycles show up on the credit card statement this month I hope you won't hold me responsible.

PHOTOS OF THE DAY
Ron, I think I see your tire problem. You can't just use a nail to plug the hole in your tire and tube.	Anybody want to ride today? Not when someone mentioned "picnic."
How am I going to tell my wife about the credit card bill? What am I going to do with my old bike? Too much stress, I think I'll just go ride.	So this is what a bicycle looks like before it becomes a bicycle?