I slept in until 8:00am on Sunday. I needed the rest. Michael, Sarah, and I went out for breakfast. The skies were gloomy and it started raining at some point in the morning. I was enjoying being lazy, so it was around noon before I departed on the second leg of my trip. Michael wanted to go out for a ride, and tagged along with me for the first 30 miles or so.
My route for Sunday was planned for 80 miles. I did ride the planned route. I modified the GPS track below slightly for Michael’s privacy.
By the time we left his house, the rain had stopped and skies were clearing. While riding through Bloomington, I noticed that the city is trying to be bike-friendly. There are bike paths, bike lanes, and these traffic calming devices.
Of course after stopping to take a picture of the traffic calming device, while trying to get my heavy-ass bike moving, I managed to run into the curb. I didn’t fall, it was just embarrassing.
We worked our way northeast through Hindustan and into Morgan-Monroe State Forest.
Michael was enjoying the ride.
At some point during the ride I noticed we were making good time as long as we weren’t climbing a steep hill. It was a tailwind. Much better than Saturday’s headwind.
Rural Indiana has a lot to offer…. or not. 🙂
Michael and I rolled into Martinsville and stopped for more water and snacks. We were 30 miles in, which meant we were to part ways. I continued north, Michael headed west.
A few miles north of Martinsville there was this imposing coal-fueled power plant. The amount of coal piled up on the grounds was staggering.
Before long I was crossing the White River.
After a long flattish stretch that included Martinsville, I knew there would be more climbing.
The climb was up Goat Hollow Rd which once at the top was just a meandering ridge top road. I never did see a goat though.
A few miles later I did see several sheep. Come back here! I need some new wool socks!
I rode through Mooresville, but didn’t stop anywhere. I was making good time, but due to my late start was worried about how late I’d be getting to the hotel. In Plainfield I was getting hungry and noticed Buzz’s Pizza. They served up a decent stromboli, which I ate on a bench outdoors before continuing on.
After Plainfield it mostly became suburban hell. Luckily, being Sunday, traffic wasn’t too bad. The multi-lane high-speed US36 wasn’t the most pleasant, but I did have an interesting conversation with a young mother and her daughter about where I rode from and where I was riding to. The little girl was fascinated. Surprisingly I had no yelling or honking motorists the whole way.
Once I got inside the I-465 loop there was a bit of city traffic, but people appeared to be used to bicyclists. I passed the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
As I approached downtown, I really began to appreciate downtown in Louisville. Downtown Indianapolis is harder to navigate and the roads are in poor condition. Also, for some reason, the city bus drivers are maniacs.
I eventually found my hotel and checked in. The biggest problem there was that the tiny elevator would not accommodate my bike unless I stood it on end. That was not an easy task with the weight I was carrying.
I made it to my room ready for a shower and bed.
Excellent! I’d imagine the contrast between rural and urban IN was substantial. And you have some pretty good jokes in this post. Kudos.
A loaded bike 80-mile afternoon? Nice work. Have you been able to transition from destination obsession to enjoying the moment that touring affords? Stay safe, and keep those reports coming.
Nice job, Dave. One of my “favorite” things about touring is a long, scenic, and awesome day capped off with a triumphant arrival and 20 miles of suburban sprawl!
Excellent. Part of the total experience.
Are you drinking enough?
@Tim: The transition is real, but sometimes it’s sudden, and sometimes it’s gradual. Also, one road that should have been empty (middle of nowhere) was high-traffic. It’s hard to know without being from the area.
@Pondero: I’m not quite sure I’ve made the transition yet, but I’ll keep trying.
@Patrick: “Capped off with 20 miles of suburban sprawl” I love it! Am I drinking enough? Water? yes. Beer? Not quite yet.