Day 34-Short Day....... 8>)

Crawfordsville to Indianapolis, In

Miles: 65.8

Time: 4:24

Average: 14.9 mph

Max: 29.4 mph

Ascent 1,793

Est Calories: 4,393

This was the shortest day between now and 12 riding days from now, which will be the celebratory ride to the Atlantic Ocean near Boston. It was mostly flat and cool, but dry. I got to the hotel by 1:45 PM, and had a shower, and had my chain on the bike replaced by 2:45....a real treat; and then got a load of laundry done before dinner. The treat of extra time at the end of the day was amplified by the fact that the next 5 day's mileage will not be LESS then 83 miles per day. As we sometimes say, it will be time to go back to work starting tomorrow.

Today I rode with Hank and Champ, and two business friends of Hank's that live here, who only rode with us for the day. We were joined by Sue, who just joined the ride to Boston 2 days ago, and rides a recumbent (a good rider, but no draft off of the recumbent for the rest of us). At times, with the aid of a tail wind, we scooted along at around 21 mph. A extra treat, and but totally un-sustainable. You can look back over the days and see that it seems like no matter the day, the distance, or the conditions, we often end up averaging around the 15 mph average mark by the end of the day. You figure it out? We obvious find time to meander, get lost, stroll around a town looking for food, or slowing for a nature call. All these elements of a given day are all part of the ride, and sometimes even critical to our energy levels, pacing, and fun of the ride.

The one SAG for the day was at the Gentry Farm were the pictures above were taken. Historically this family has been kind enough to host the SAG, which included the use of their bathroom. (True hospitality above and beyond). The family used to have a dairy farm, but had to sell the cows a year or so ago. They now raise soybeans and corn, but with ONLY 650 acres owned and around 150 acres rented, they find this also economically challenging. So after 100 years (as of next year) and 4 generations in the family, the farm's next fate is unknown at this writing. At this point the owner's son does not seem so interest in farming. Just another story on the impact of the large industrial farmer versus small farmer, and the expections of succeeding generations. We all wish the best for the Gentry family. TTFN......TA TA FOR NOW............See Ya..............