Punctures so far: 7
Everyday on this trip is full of surprises (and disappointments)
Alarm off at 5.45 am to the background of a violent thunderstorm outside. That in itself didn’t cause too much worry. We’ve been there before. But this one persisted. The arrangement last night was to pick up breakfast at Joey’s on the way. Torrential rain and continuous lightning and thunder put paid to that. Shuttle service provided to the café and no rush with the French toast and scrambled eggs. Staff worked on alternatives.
The radar showed a more violent storm moving in from the west that would persist for the day. Greg, our cyclist/meteorologist confirmed this reading for the day ahead. Outside the storm continued.
Back at the motel decisions had to be made. Safety was numero uno. Cycling in the rain was no problem. Dealing with lightning and thunder was something else. Cycling on busy highways with poor visibility for drivers and possible potholes hidden beneath water on the shoulder for me bordered on the irresponsible. Some decided to wait till the late afternoon to see if the storm eased but no one could set out unless America by Bicycle staff gave the all-clear. Their main concern is our safety.
Cyclists and bikes were to be shuttled to the motel in Indianapolis over the course of the day. Visibility on the road was as above. No place for a cyclist.
I was very disappointed to forego what was to be a most promising day…. a chance to visit the Roark cycle factory, an opportunity to cycle around the Major Taylor Velodrome and to go to the Indianapolis Speedway. Everyone was keyed up last night with the prospect.
Also for me I had planned a bit of investigation of my own. One small town on the route was New Ross and I reckoned there had to be a connection. A few queries about town should reveal something interesting.
Luggage was loaded well beneath the awning at the motel door as usual and I went to collect my bike (RW PACAT) from my room to be greeted by a flat front wheel…….a hotel flat or a lightening flat! At least now I had a bit of time to replace the tube.
However I considered safety and responsibility to myself to be of the utmost importance and also that there are 17 more days to go. I didn’t want to jeopardise those. A collision or a tumble would put paid to the rest of this wonderful adventure and challenge. The kids in Providence deserve the full journey and what it will raise for their school. I had looked forward to this ride today as I do every morning. Ah well! Hope there will be no more of these days.
When the bikes finally arrived at the Indianapolis Motel the front wheel was flat again. Was it just that the valve wasn’t sealed or does it count as another puncture. That would be two punctures in one day without throwing my leg over the top tube. That would be a record. We’ll see. Some riders stayed on and on in Crawfordsville and left around mid-day and luckily had'nt much rain and arrived just before Route Rap at 5.30.
Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy …… things could be an awful lot worse.
