Riding through Indiana

Seems like this is the time of the tour when life becomes routine. We have been on tour for more than a month. This is life for us now. Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy this routine very much. And the end is looming which is a sad thing to contemplate.

Carol came back in Champaign. The staff has been in a strange rotation due to family emergencies, business requirements, doctor appointments, etc. Eileen's daughter had surgery so she went home in Kansas. Then Tracy had to return home for a week. So Carol came back for this week and is providing her wonderful food for the SAGs. Rik, the mechanic is back for the rest of the tour. With all the changes, the support to the riders still runs smoothly. I am back to truck driving and riding instead of van driving and riding. I must admit I like the truck better!

Yesterday we had a fun event when we got to Indy. One of the riders, Alan, arranged a visit to the ZIPP wheel factory. We were given an extensive tour of the manufacturing line. For the non riders who are reading this, ZIPP makes very high end carbon wheels. It was a fascinating tour. There is a tremendous amount of hand labor that goes into making the wheel. Thus the reason for their price.

The number of riders this year is very small. After losing two to knee injuries there are only 12 riders. However, that makes for an interesting dynamic. They have become a very tight knit group. As we watched them leave the beach in LA, the staff predicted they would be close. And they are. At every meal they want the tables arranges so that all 12 can be together. And last night they were plotting how they could all meet up to have lunch together while riding into Richmand, Indiana. I think "splitting up will be hard to do" in Boston.

The weather has been great and the countryside bright and green the past few days.