We rolled out of the hotel this morning into air so cool and crisp it felt like a fresh start for the soul. At 48°F, there was a definite bite to the breeze, but we were layered up and ready. Besides, we knew the secret: the forecast promised a climb into the low 70s, and the sun was already working its magic.
Despite the ever-present, persistent (okay, let’s be honest—slightly relentless) headwinds, the day was absolutely glorious. There is something about bright sunshine and perfect temperatures that turns a long day in the saddle into pure medicine. And while the “prevailing winds from the west” theory has proven to be more of a myth during our four weeks on the road, the resistance just gives us more time to appreciate the view—and plenty to talk about at dinner!
The “Indianapolis 500” Pit Crew
The universe decided I needed a little extra strength training today. I didn’t just have one flat; I had four before we even hit lunch! Fortunately, I was riding with Dennis and Jeff—the absolute “A-Team” of roadside repair.
If you’ve ever watched a pit crew hustle at the Indy 500, you’ve got a pretty good idea of what I witnessed. They are a marvel of speed and efficiency. By the third flat, we realized the rim tape had surrendered, so we performed some “trailside surgery” using duct tape from my trunk bag. Jeff has affectionately nicknamed my bag “The Mini Mart” because it contains everything you could possibly need and three things you’d never think to ask for.
Who knew rim tape played such an important roll in keeping a cyclists on the road. While I may have been missing spare rim tape today, I certainly wasn’t missing support. At lunch, Dennis and Frank performed the permanent fix while Jeff and I fueled up, determined to get back on the route and catch the pack.
Rhythms and Rice Fields
We rode strong today, fueled by a soundtrack that shifted with our spirit:
The Power Hour: We started with a soulful Dr. John playlist (thanks for the spark, Mel!).
The Push: We transitioned into driving, percussion-heavy dance tracks to make up for those flat-tire delays.
The Cruise: Once we caught the team, we “slowed our roll” to the smooth, atmospheric grooves of Sault.
Jeff took on the role of official photographer again, pulling off the “stop, snap, and hammer” maneuver—capturing the magic and then sprinting back up to my wheel so we could keep the momentum alive.
Even with the frantic pace of the morning, we didn’t miss the beauty around us. We pedaled past elegant Egrets, horses with their colts, cows and calves, and the shimmering expanse of crawdad ponds and rice fields.
At the end of the day, no amount of headwinds or flat tires can dim the reality of this journey. We are healthy, we are together, and we are riding our bikes across the country! Woo-hoo!
