The heat continues and there is no relief in the short term forecast as far as we can see. Riding any bike in near 100 degree heat is a chore, toss on 75 pounds of gear and it becomes a full time job. The sun and radiating heat off the asphalt cooks us all day.
We have little shade and almost no services where we are riding. Ther reason for this is our mapping plan was to fined remote roads with little traffic. Well we are batting 1000 because we have no cars, no people and no services. Nothing is to be found but corn and soybeans.
With so few people living in the area stores are nonexistent. Gas stations are 20 o 30 miles apart. If you need gas for your car or mower it is a 45 minute trip. Not like Connecticut where there is a gas station on every corner. Here you have absolutely nothing.
The people here are so nice you swear they are trying to scam you but they are not. They are just good people. Good American people. One question people ask us all the time is do we “pack any heat” on these tours. In layman’s terms that means are we armed to protect ourselves. Well actually we should be packin’. Packing a box of “Thank You” cards that is. That way we can had them out whenever someone does something for us.
Our legs are getting used to the 100 miles a day but other body parts have some lingering difficulties. Our calloused palms are still tender from the relentless pounding the road gives us. Every crack or bump in the road pounds our already softened palms even more. Feet and of course the all important Rumpaurus take a beating all day. Remember we are on the bikes for 8 to 10 hours.
We spotted a crop duster working a field and had to stop and watch the duster in action. Dive bombing the fields and pulling up just in time not the hit power lines or trees. Theses pilots are wacky.
We logged another state into our quiver today Indiana.
108 Miles
2471 feet of Climbing
Temperature 75 -98 degrees
Long day in the saddle for Team Eliminator. Planned hotel was not acceptable, had to go another 17 miles to Remington instead of staying in Rensselaer. Mickey D's for supper. Yummm
110 mile day.
Forecast for Wabash Indiana, todays start point:
Today: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 97. West wind around 10 mph.
I will be posting news from the road as it is available today.
3:48 PM update. The team is on the road. Pushin' hard. The goal today is Rensselaer, Indiana. A small town just short (by car..) of the Illinois border.
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