Greenfield, Indiana to Richmond, Indiana 55 miles
Today's relatively flat ride from Greenfield, Indiana, to Richmond, Indiana, was only 55 miles. Tomorrow and the next day, we have rides of 105 and 102 miles, respectively. Because of the relatively short mileage today, our tour director did not want us to arrive at our hotel in Richmond too early, so she called for a delayed start. We didn't get riding until 9:30 AM. and we still rolled in between 12:30 and 1:00.
During the last 20-mile stretch, I was joined by Mark from the UK. Evidently, during the initial 35 miles, Mark rode with our fastest rider, Simon, and one or two other faster riders. He said it became pretty exhausting toward the end trying to keep up with the very fast pace they set. For the final 20 miles, he was content to hang back with me. Upon our arrival in Richmond, our rooms were not ready, so we went across the street to McDonald's for lunch.
Mark has worked in the insurance business for many years. I would say he is in his mid to late fifties. He has a wife, one daughter, and two large Dalmatians. He got a payout from his last job and could retire if he wanted to, but he plans to start up with another company after returning home from this trip. Mark has an excellent sense of humor and is quick to laugh. He met his wife at work, and they have been married for about 25 years. He thinks Brexit was a big mistake and that Britain's economy is now paying for it dearly. Inflation is still very high there, higher than it is here.
The one connection that seems to always resonate between us is our mutual love of sports. He is an avid soccer fan, and I am an avid fan of pretty much anything with a ball. He has told me the name of his favorite soccer team three or four times, but I still couldn't tell you what it is. I frequently have to ask my British friends to repeat things, especially when they speak quickly. As the saying goes, we are two countries separated by a common language.
He fills me in on the latest soccer news, and I answer his questions about American sports. He says the NBA is on TV sometimes in the UK, but he doesn't believe it's that popular. Baseball is not played much in Britain. My British friends from the 2019 trip delighted in comparing baseball to the game of Rounders, a bat and ball game played by British school girls. I told them that I was astounded that British school girls could actually throw a four-seam fastball at 100 miles per hour or hit a ball 400+ feet. That is impressive. I'm now waiting with great anticipation for the first British female version of Shohei Ohtani to make her debut at a Major League Baseball training camp next spring.
Dinner tonight was at the Cracker Barrel across the street. This Cracker Barrel location is actually the first Cracker Barrel restaurant I ever went to. Back on my 2019 trip, I was riding with 25-year-old Zak from North Carolina. All he could talk about was his favorite dish at the Cracker Barrel. He had evidently researched where the nearest Cracker Barrel restaurant was in relation to where we were headed. When we arrived here in Richmond, we went directly to the restaurant. It was a very hot day, and we were both drenched in sweat, but the manager was unfazed. He even put our bikes in a store room so they were safe while we dined. I wish I could remember what Zak's favorite dish was, but I can't. Suffice it to say he was a happy boy after we finished. I think I had the club sandwich, which was also excellent.
I can see some signs of frustration amongst my fellow riders concerning the dinner arrangements. Last night's abysmal, cold pasta and tough chicken (at least I think it was chicken, hard to say), followed by the Cracker Barrel tonight, has caused even some of our most patient and understanding riders to question the tour company's choices. Alcohol is not included in our dinner, so each rider must pay for that separately. This can sometimes be a problem when the drinks are not separated from the overall bill. Tonight as Barbara from New Jersey and I stood aside while a manager attempted to get our two beers separated from the bill, Barbara just threw a twenty on the counter and said,
"That should cover it. I'm done with this."
I chuckled and thanked her.
Outside she said,
"I'm doing my best, but my patience is......I've had it."
I replied,
"My patience ran out on the second day of this clown show. You know that."
She said,
"I know, but I'm trying to keep it together."
And I have no doubt she will keep it together because she knows we have no other choice. In two weeks, we will be in Boston, and she will have accomplished her goal. She can see the finish line.
But not before we have 105 miles to look forward to tomorrow!
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