JULY 14 HOOSIER HOOPS

Boy, what a good day off, a couple of great steak dinners, and a little wind at your back can do. We all felt great once we were back on the bikes--and flew the 73 miles from Indy to Richmond, IN. Leaving early at 6:30 am, we were in Richmond having lunch before noon. The bike ride itself was fun--good road, sunny morning, and we were all well rested. The first 10 miles were stop and go at traffic lights leaving Indy and its suburbs, but then it opened up with only the small towns providing diversions. Our average speed for the day was 18 mph--a pretty high number considering the number of stops.

We had no turns today--our only instructions called for us to follow US Route 40, "America's First Highway", now an historic National Road, all the way. It is America's first highway built with Federal funds whose purpose was originally to carry pioneers to the West.

We cycled through to Centerville, one of the earliest turnpike towns, where painted brick rowhouses stand close to the road. It is called "Antique Alley" as there are some 500 antique dealers doing business here--many in their B&B's.

Bikers visit market in Greenfield, IN

We passed through the towns of Pennville and Dublin, which was named for the "doublin" up of horses that was often required for a wagon to climb the steep hill near town. Some of the towns had American flags on every telephone pole in town, probably left over from the 4th of July celebration. A nice touch.

Some of the boys--Mason, John (ME), Tom, Steve, Doug and Ken (CT)-- stopped in Knightstown, "Home of the Hickory Huskers" basketball team. Remember the movie "Hoosiers" with Gene Hackman as coach of the underdog Huskers team that went on to win the Indiana state High School Championship. It was filmed in Knightstown and you can shoot a basket from the same spot where Jimmy made the game winner as time expired. Mason tried the same shot---HE SHOOTS.....HE SCORES!!

Coach Bill with Hoosiers

Richmond, IN, population 39,000,is called "The City of Roses" as it once was home to the largest greenhouses in the US. Many casket companies have now replaced the florists as the leading industry in town. It is located 70 miles from both Indy and Cincinnati, picking up the overflow from both communities.

The AbB Bear in Richmond

Meg writing her journal

Many of us wished "Bonne Fete" to our French friends who celebrate Bastille Day today. Last night we turned over to Gerard the task of choosing wine at Morton's Steak House knowing that it would be a good selection....from France.

         - Bill

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