Day 52: A long hot ride to Wabash, IN

Knowing that I had a long ride today I left early (for me) and was on the road by 07:45. It was clear and warm with a moderate cross- wind. I have to say all the roads I rode today wete great- except for the 2 miles of loose gravel due to a missed turn…I took a photo of a map section so you can see what I am following- virtually all are county roads (CR 475 E, CR 650  N, etc.), and if you miss one due to inattention or a sign missing, you end up on a gravel road or worse. I’m getting better but my mind still routinely wanders at various points during the day… Anyway, I was making pretty good time as the hills were low and I mainly had a crosswind- but it was HOT and I was sweating like Darrell Becker. About 40 miles into the ride there was some writing on the road indicating that cyclists could take a break and get cold water at this farm. I was so hot and sweaty I decided to not take a break and just push on. This decision does not make sense as I read it now, but somehow it did then… So I rode past the farmhouse and continued on my way. About 3-5 minutes later, a pickup truck passes me and the drivet holds our a cup of ice cream. I pulled up next to him and he says “I can’t let you pass the friendliest farm in Indiana- you eat ice cream, don’t you?” And that ice cream was so cold and refreshing and wonderful! The driver, Kevin, and I talked for quite a bit about farming and cycling and it was a really nice break that I did need. I know, I should have stopped at the farm, duh. Kevin saved me from myself. It got hotter and hillier after my break but I still felt good and was making good time. I started getting tired about the last 10-15 miles. It was the heat more than the hills or the wind, I think. Daily mileage: 89, trip miles: 2,789.

The roads were all very nice with little or no traffic today:

Kevin, the nicest guy on the nicest farm in Indiana. He might have saved my life with that ice cream:

This is rural America, and I love it:

Not a great photo but, these goats have the same coloration as spaniels!

I rode on about 5 miles of the nickel plate bike trail. It was shady and wonderful:

A pretty unnamed river by the town of Fletcher: 

The hills got steeper as it got hotter and I was getting tired. The roads were still nice and I don’t care- adversity makes me stronger! I am on my second margarita now so this may be the tequila speaking.. 

A typical map segment that covers about 30 miles. This particular segment has about 12 turns. I would be good for 10 or 11 of them: