Day 36 - Greenfield, IN to Richmond, IN - 53 miles - 919 feet climbing - 2:54 hours in the saddle

East Bound and Down….

Being a short day allowed for a later alarm and a relaxing morning.  I strolled to a Starbucks for a Venti Chai Tea, but ordered mobile as I am too embarrassed to say my proprietary order aloud.  The cue sheet for the day was simple….go east on US 40 “The National Road” for 50+ miles and turn right when you see the Best Western in Richmond.  The road has been deemed The Road that Built the Nation.  It was the first federally funded road and was constructed between 1811 and 1834.

Right out of the gates a pace line formed with Mark B, Doug, Joel and me.  We were cruising along at the comfortable 18 - 20 mph and the miles were clicking by.  Each of us would take a pull in front for a couple of miles.  Around mile 20 we caught up with Simon, who must have been taking it easy today.  The pace then accelerated to 24 - 25 mph.  In no time we were at mile 35 SAG, having averaged 19.7 mph.  I enjoy the pace line early in the day as it quickly puts miles behind us.  However, it does not allow for taking many pics…..only when I am at the back and at the risk of getting dropped by the group.

After SAG, I easy pedaled the last 15 miles to Richmond.  We went through a couple of nice small towns. At one point the road was closed to cars, but we were allowed to go through!

                                                                Mark Bramhall

Cruised through a car show!

Got into Richmond around 12:30 and joined Spencer, Chad and Paul for BBQ and a beer before heading to the hotel.

We have four long days coming up (mileage of 105, 102, 93, 89) before our rest day in Erie, PA on Lake Erie.

Savor the Journey // Achieve the Goal