Lucky Old Sun: July 2013

Thursday, July 11, 2013

"Rainstorm - Day Three

Rainstorm - Day Three

                                 Today               So far

Vertical gain        4,600 Feet            13,600
Horizontal gain        88 miles                303

A great day for riding. Cool temps, modest tailwind and sunshine with a threat of afternoon showers.

Day three started with a new route due west on smooth quiet roads. We followed roads with no markings (no centerlines or shoulder lines for the first twenty miles of the ride. When we switch to a road with a center line we occasionally see a car. Such is the lack of traffic on most of the roads we use. The bucolic scenes portrayed in the road photos are typical, rarely is a car in sight. Even crossing intersecting roads we rarely have to stop for oncoming traffic. I do show one busy road below, just to show the road we don't travel.

We did get our thunderstorm before reaching our destination this afternoon. We started out under a big oak tree in front of a farm house and as the storm grew more intense were waived into the barn by the local farmer. Indiana hospitality is tops. I've been given iced water bottles by complete strangers on hot summer afternoons and regaled with stories of family histories. Good people these Hoosiers.

Here's today's pictures:

Generations of turkeys

Morning ride

Today's old barn

Quiet roads

White River - the draught is over

Pac Tour veterans David & spouse

History

The meeting house

Pac tour veterans Jim & Fran

Traffic on the interstate

Shortcut! Skip Scottsburg What would you do?

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

RAINSTORM Day Two

RAINSTORM - Day Two

                                       today                 so far

Vertical Gain              4,500 feet               9,000
Horizontal gain             100 miles                215

A touch of rain before the start damped pavement. Skies like yesterday, threatening, partial clearing until it turned sunny and hot and very humid in the afternoon with temps in the high 90's.

Another great day in the saddle. More quiet, smooth roads and scenic vistas on our route all day long. Riders were fatigued today from yesterday's marathon effort, but spirits were strong.

Morning fog

Folk Art

Climber

Serenity

Climbers

Barn quilt

Feeling good? PC road naming?

Fisherman

Monday, July 8, 2013

RAINSTORM Day One

RainStorm - Day one

Vertical gain 4,500 feet
Horizontal Gain 115 miles
Humid with headwinds most of the day Sunny at times, rain threatened but never eventuated

Last night I joined this year's RainStorm riders for our pre ride Italian dinner. It was great to see old riding partners, Gary Cohen, Rob Stewart and Jim VandeBogart. Six time rider Bruce Noah, and four time riders Ross Snyder and Paul Hadley were there as well. This is an easy group to travel with.

So the usual Monday morning routine played out today, hotel breakfast followed by the drive to
Earlham college for the start of the ride. Ten minutes out of the college I realized why I keep signing up for this challenge. The fellow travelers are fun to be with, the roads are chose to for their smooth surfaces, scenic views and lack of traffic. Rolling through the Indiana countryside puts me in a state of bliss. At least when I'm not struggling up one of those surprise 14% grades.

Lots of site seeing today. I am particularly a fan of local folk art proudly displayed in yards along the way. Here are some photos from today's ride.