We were up by 6:30 and at breakfast by 7. Breakfast was cereal, milk, yogurt and coffee. No waffles or toast as those machines tripped the circuit breaker and shut down coffee. There was general displeasure at the situation but no one disputed what took priority. Bob was not feeling up to every one of the hills today so he rode in the van with Tom for first sag.
They missed the best part of the ride. Cool temps for September, high 60’s, overcast and good tailwind escorted us through rolling farm country with maybe ten cars the entire 18 mile leg. Ross is a very accommodating cycling mate so the pace was the slowest of the tour so far. We met Tom at the western edge of Eastern time zone into which Bob had already entered several minutes prior.
After getting settled in the van, I quickly passed Tom and Ross but only caught Bob at the edge of Hodgenville, the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. I followed him to the town park with its Lincoln memorial. Both on ebikes, Tom and Ross arrived in short time. After a few documenting pictures Ross took sag and the cyclist headed toward lunch on US 31E, or road the rest of the day. On a prior ride we’d used what on the map appeared to be a back way into Bardstown. That back way was a favorite of screaming semis so this time we chose the more direct route on a main road. US 31E was fine with moderate traffic and good sight lines to our lunch in New Haven.
Lunch was at the most excellent Howie’s Family Friendly restaurant in New Haven. The wind picked up and the temperature went down suddenly as we were dismounting. A he moderate rain began as we ordered and was gone when we paid. While ordering Tom mentioned we’d not had much breakfast which prompted the waitress to flip to the breakfast menu. We had an excellent late breakfast.
After New Haven traffic increased markedly and by Bardstown we were more than ready for the ride to end. The only shoulder was across the bridge before the climb into Bardstown. Among the debris was a quarter inch piece of glass that found my rear tire. Being less than a mile from the end I called Ross for sag so I could assess and make repairs in a quite room. The tube could be patched but I am afraid to trust the tire on any of the upcoming downhills. I had a new Gatorskin and plan to buy another spare when we regroup at a bike store near Cincinnati.
As I write this, we are loafing. Will likely have supper at the buffet next door.
Bruce
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