CruzLike
Guru
Last Saturday was an outstanding day in Indiana. For early November, a sunny day with near record highs were to be spend outside. My plans for the day were to work around the house on some projects. Not really maximizing outdoor exposure.
The night before I had passing thoughts to go on a mega bike ride. My bike was on the trainer and had seen little time outside this year. Covid shut down most rides. This ride I had planned would almost double my outdoor rides this year. Saturday rolled around and I felt I missed an opportunity. Saturday night I began thinking about my Sunday ride in earnest. The weather was going to be a repeat and I had no other reason not to go.
Sunday morning, I took the bike off the trainer, assembled all my gear and by 8 o’clock I was rolling down the road.
First stop, Richmond. This was about 55 miles away straight east. The route I was familiar with. It is the last third of the RAIN (Ride Across INdiana). It has been a couple of years since I rode this route. Riding the hills was like seeing some old friends. Maybe the kind that jab you or tease you when they display their love. The sun was low in the sky moving off to my right. A little different path then I see in the summer. The wind was mostly out of the south and little from the east at about 7. Not much help.
I made it to Richmond without issue. I wanted to get a bite at the Jim Hortons. As I rolled by, the sign had been taken down and no cars in the parking lot. I guess they went back to Canada. Bummer Ah.
After consulting my phone to figure out how to get from one familiar side of town to the other part of town I knew. I was at the trail head of the next leg of the journey. I just needed some water. I topped off, called my wife to share my progress.
Just a little before 11 I started the leg on the Cardinal Trail. It is one of the premier trails in Indiana. It’s 50 miles long and I planned to see the other end.
Near 1:30 I made it to Muncie. Big town with restaurants. I still needed a little nutrition for my belly.
About 45 minutes later I was back on the trail heading NW. This was a nice direction. I enjoyed seeing the leaves on the trail blowing the direction I was going. A fortunate wind. In town my progress was slow. This old train track went diagonal through town. I was glad to see the farm fields to know that I was out of town with fewer cross streets.
I made it to the end of the trail. This also signaled a change in direction. That fortunate wind was now at my left when heading west and, in my face, heading south. Which was much of the remaining ride.
This new segment of the ride was 30 miles across roads I was not familiar with. Without stopping I adjusted my Elemnt to display a map and route. While on the route some of the rough roads forced me to lift my head off the headrest. My head had either swollen to twice it’s size or my neck muscles were tiring. I was at the 100 miles into the ride and I opted for the tired muscles. I was a little concerned with that thought because I was still a long way from home and loosing energy.
I followed the route to Frankton. Home of my daughter, son-in-law and grandson. Unfortunately, they were not home. They were out enjoying the day like myself. I was able to top off my water bottles and rest a little. (that was the “G” rated version)
At 5 I was leaving their house. I called my wife, told her of my progress. I told here I would be home around 7 and I was turning off my phone to spare my low battery.
Shortly after leaving town, while in the open farm fields, I noticed the sun was lower to the horizon than I hoped. Most of this leg to my house was south. Straight into the dying headwind. I was able to cruise around 20mph. I made good progress, but the fleeting light was concerning. After 7 miles I thought I would stop, call my wife and plan to meet somewhere. I started my phone. I called Lisa and the phone died, black screen. I tried again with no luck.
By now the sun was below the horizon. I had a red back light but no front light. My only solution was to GO. It finally got to a point that I could not see the road good enough to avoid any bumps or holes. In the couple last miles before a town, I rode down into a valley at 30+ mph. It was a little harrowing. Down the hill, wind in my face and a car coming at me blinding me with the glare from its lights. I was on a mission, also I needed some speed to get up the other side.
I made it into town of Ingalls. This is where I needed to enact plan “ET”. For all you young punks, In the movie “ET” The main character needed to “phone home” Back to the ride. As I rode past homes, I was looking for someone outside. No such luck. I made it to main street and the Dollar General was open. I was able to call Lisa and have her come pick me up.
I ended up logging 147 miles. I was a bruised because I ended the ride in the dark, 14 miles short of my home. I guess I have not fully adjusted the standard time. The hour of daylight in the morning before I started I would have loved to use, now.
I averaged 18.5 mph while moving. It's ok for a mere mortal. (I'm in average shape) Just had too many stops on a short daylight day. Maybe next year I can complete this ride.
https://www.strava.com/activities/4317950845
The night before I had passing thoughts to go on a mega bike ride. My bike was on the trainer and had seen little time outside this year. Covid shut down most rides. This ride I had planned would almost double my outdoor rides this year. Saturday rolled around and I felt I missed an opportunity. Saturday night I began thinking about my Sunday ride in earnest. The weather was going to be a repeat and I had no other reason not to go.
Sunday morning, I took the bike off the trainer, assembled all my gear and by 8 o’clock I was rolling down the road.
First stop, Richmond. This was about 55 miles away straight east. The route I was familiar with. It is the last third of the RAIN (Ride Across INdiana). It has been a couple of years since I rode this route. Riding the hills was like seeing some old friends. Maybe the kind that jab you or tease you when they display their love. The sun was low in the sky moving off to my right. A little different path then I see in the summer. The wind was mostly out of the south and little from the east at about 7. Not much help.
I made it to Richmond without issue. I wanted to get a bite at the Jim Hortons. As I rolled by, the sign had been taken down and no cars in the parking lot. I guess they went back to Canada. Bummer Ah.
After consulting my phone to figure out how to get from one familiar side of town to the other part of town I knew. I was at the trail head of the next leg of the journey. I just needed some water. I topped off, called my wife to share my progress.
Just a little before 11 I started the leg on the Cardinal Trail. It is one of the premier trails in Indiana. It’s 50 miles long and I planned to see the other end.
Near 1:30 I made it to Muncie. Big town with restaurants. I still needed a little nutrition for my belly.
About 45 minutes later I was back on the trail heading NW. This was a nice direction. I enjoyed seeing the leaves on the trail blowing the direction I was going. A fortunate wind. In town my progress was slow. This old train track went diagonal through town. I was glad to see the farm fields to know that I was out of town with fewer cross streets.
I made it to the end of the trail. This also signaled a change in direction. That fortunate wind was now at my left when heading west and, in my face, heading south. Which was much of the remaining ride.
This new segment of the ride was 30 miles across roads I was not familiar with. Without stopping I adjusted my Elemnt to display a map and route. While on the route some of the rough roads forced me to lift my head off the headrest. My head had either swollen to twice it’s size or my neck muscles were tiring. I was at the 100 miles into the ride and I opted for the tired muscles. I was a little concerned with that thought because I was still a long way from home and loosing energy.
I followed the route to Frankton. Home of my daughter, son-in-law and grandson. Unfortunately, they were not home. They were out enjoying the day like myself. I was able to top off my water bottles and rest a little. (that was the “G” rated version)
At 5 I was leaving their house. I called my wife, told her of my progress. I told here I would be home around 7 and I was turning off my phone to spare my low battery.
Shortly after leaving town, while in the open farm fields, I noticed the sun was lower to the horizon than I hoped. Most of this leg to my house was south. Straight into the dying headwind. I was able to cruise around 20mph. I made good progress, but the fleeting light was concerning. After 7 miles I thought I would stop, call my wife and plan to meet somewhere. I started my phone. I called Lisa and the phone died, black screen. I tried again with no luck.
By now the sun was below the horizon. I had a red back light but no front light. My only solution was to GO. It finally got to a point that I could not see the road good enough to avoid any bumps or holes. In the couple last miles before a town, I rode down into a valley at 30+ mph. It was a little harrowing. Down the hill, wind in my face and a car coming at me blinding me with the glare from its lights. I was on a mission, also I needed some speed to get up the other side.
I made it into town of Ingalls. This is where I needed to enact plan “ET”. For all you young punks, In the movie “ET” The main character needed to “phone home” Back to the ride. As I rode past homes, I was looking for someone outside. No such luck. I made it to main street and the Dollar General was open. I was able to call Lisa and have her come pick me up.
I ended up logging 147 miles. I was a bruised because I ended the ride in the dark, 14 miles short of my home. I guess I have not fully adjusted the standard time. The hour of daylight in the morning before I started I would have loved to use, now.
I averaged 18.5 mph while moving. It's ok for a mere mortal. (I'm in average shape) Just had too many stops on a short daylight day. Maybe next year I can complete this ride.
https://www.strava.com/activities/4317950845
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