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| Near Zanesville, Indiana |
The
winds have been absolutely brutal on this phase of the trip. It's beautiful
country, fairly flat, and would generally be easy bicycling if it weren't for
the wind blowing in my face at 30 miles an hour. I decided to hotel it tonight in Huntington, Indiana. The people here are
incredibly friendly! I went to a coffee shop to get a latte, asked about
hotels, and the proprietor directed me to a bicycle friendly hotel that only
charges bicyclists $30 per night! On the way to the hotel I was stopped by a gentleman
who turned out to be the chief of police and who was asking about my trip. He said both he and the Mayor are big
bicyclists and invited me out for a beer and dinner. I will let you know how it goes. As I have
traveled through a number of towns, I end up making the news. I guess folks are
fascinated with a stupid old man riding a bicycle across country! In any event, there have been about three
towns where my picture has been taken and I've been told that I would be the
front page in the next newspaper. I'll have to go back and see if I can find
the articles sometime down the road. I
believe I will take a rest day as my knees are pretty sore from peddling into
the wind. This could change if the wind turns the right direction, bicycle
weather is perfect, and I get antsy to hit the road. We will see.
One never knows how, when,
or where new friends will be made. In
this instance in Huntington, Indiana, I was approached by the
police chief who is an avid bicyclist.
After chatting for a bit he invited me for an evening out for dinner,
beer, and socializing with his friends.
Dinner was attended by the mayor, his wonderful wife, the police chief,
and another avid bicyclist. I'm ashamed to say I would destroy their names if I
tried to post them at this time so I will have to do that later. We had a great evening of dining, drinking,
and telling bicycle stories. We traveled many of the same trails, had many of
the same experiences, and all in all it was just a wonderful evening. I was very touched in that the mayor presented
me with a medallion that will be a wonderful memento from my visit in Huntington, Indiana, and a great keepsake from
the bicycle trip where I have made so many new friends. The mayor invited me join a morning prayer
breakfast where I will have the opportunity to meet more of the citizens from
this wonderful city. All in all it was a
great evening, full of laughter, and a sharing of like interests. What a joy
and only an experience that one can gain by stepping out of their comfort zone
and traveling across this great land at 10 miles an hour.
Hey Steve! Have you plotted a course through Illinois? I have a suggestion, but you seem to be headed too far south.
ReplyDeleteHi Jay, sorry didn't get back to you yesterday as promised. I met some folks here in Huntington, Indiana and we went out to dinner last night. Regarding the route, yes I am actually following Adventure Cycling Association's "Northern Tier' route, i've been on this since Monroeville Indiana. Before that I had taken established trails... The Chesapeake Ohio towpath, the Allegheny Trail, the Montour Trail, and the Panhandle Trail, followed by a Google bicycle map route. The Google bicycle route was a nightmare. The route that I'm on now is terrific. I'm taking a day of rest today, my knees are pretty sore after bucking the wind for the last two days. Once in Illinois I do want to connect with my wife, and I will probably take a couple days off there to regroup at home. Once that is done, I'll be moving on along the Northern Tier again. I have been invited to a prayer breakfast this morning, after that I will have my bike worked on a bit, and then I should be free to give you a call.
DeleteBest regards, Steve
What a great story. It seems people are turning out to be a major theme of your trip.
ReplyDeleteIf you send us the names of the towns that took your photo we can try dig them up as you go.
Thank you that would be fun, Ottawa, Indiana was one Monroeville, Indiana was another and there is one in Ohio that I will have to look up.
DeleteI loved this post! Sounds like you are giving these little towns a lot to talk about. So proud of you! Love, Jennifer
ReplyDeleteThe winds have been bad. A couple days ago, I visited a customer located in the middle of a big feedlot in West Kansas. Wind was blowing 45 mph steady. As I walked to the car, I kept repeating to myself, "Please let that be sand. Please let that be sand."
ReplyDeleteRoll on, Mr. Speer!
Too funny Steve! When bicycling, the wind really takes it out of you. When walking through a feedlot, the wind really makes you think what in the world is that hitting me in the face! To funny so good to hear from you.
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