FROM INDIANA TO OHIO (in 2 quick emails)

Sunday October 19 2008. A veritable flurry of info from CT this morning. It covers a few days of action so here goes;

(From Friday) " We're in Greenfield, Indiana, about 30 miles east of Indianapolis. We had a low mileage day today (about 85) - slowed down going through Indianapolis. We decided to carve straight through the center, past the Indy Colts (who?) footy stadium and the impressive war memorial downtown and we also spent a necessary 3 hours at a bike shop (a good one too - Indy Cycles - thanks to Jim, Scott and the guys there) getting some mechanical attention for the bikes.

We also bought some insulated shoe covers as our little feet are getting cold in the mornings and in anticipation of colder possibly wetter weather in the Appalachians. (Whooo... there goes that Appalachian intimidation again - Ed)

Jim, who has cycled Transamerica before, gave us some valuable route advice and we've changed our current Indiana route - we're now going east on Route 40. Jim at the bike shop also made a generous offer of putting us up for the night, which we'd have gratefully accepted another time but we opted to get a few more miles in before dusk and made it to Greenfield.

Tobs - thanks for your inspirational call this afternoon when we were in Indianapolis. With reference to Charlie's donation comment about Buggy shaving his head (football tour, Bordeaux circa 1988), Bugs maintains that he played merely a minor supporting role and is very happy to grass up Turpo and Rashman who really did the damage.

Special mention to Jim Maschmeyer in Indiana who offered help with the Indiana leg of the trip and accommodation chez Maschmeyer. Since our route moved further north we couldn't take Jim up on it. Jim is cycling too this weekend in the "hilly hundred". Have a great ride Jim and hopefully we'll be able to meet up next time!

Gordy - thanks for your uncharacteristically encouraging phone message. Good that you're trying to shed your cynical image and distance yourself from Bonner.

Great message from Dixie also who makes the very good point that after drifting for years with no real purpose, DC has finally found his raison d'etre as a creative blog genius. But what will he do next? As a group I think we need to take collective responsibility for ensuring that Dave's transition back to a non blog existence is as smooth as can realistically be expected. Dixie is currently researching appropriate counselling for Dave. As for Bugs and I, we're just looking forward to spending some quality time on seats that are greater than 3 inches wide.

CT and Bugs"

Talking of saddles, additional thanks to John Dixon for reminding me of one of the best TV ads of all time ... Perhaps  this is how CT got started with this cycling thing?

Then from Sunday morning;

"Morning DC!

We crossed into Ohio yesterday. Now in Springfield and we'll be heading for Columbus this morning.

We did 113 miles yesterday into a headwind. It sounds like a big moan on our part but even a fairly low wind makes a huge difference on a bike. We had 2 days of tailwinds after we cleared the Rockies and did 130+ fairly easily both days but we've ridden against headwinds ever since which means we have to work very hard to get to 100, so its probably cost us a couple of days.

Forecast today is easterly winds again but fairly low and at least its sunny and dry. Great dinner last night (probably knocking Duffy's Bar last week off the tour no 1 spot) at Casey's Steakhouse (Hello Shermo!!) in Springfield.

CT and Bugs"

INDIANA III

Spoke to CT & Bugs on speakerphone last night live from the Holiday Inn Express in Greenfield, Indiana ... Livin' the dream. 

They had made OK progress - about 80 miles including a useful stop at a local bike store for a full tune up and chance to purchase several accessories and enough gadgets to make Pete Hart proud. They are clearly bracing themselves for the Appalachians which, according to Bugs' impressive cycling lingo, are tougher than the Rockies on account of the lack of "Switchbacks".

Beyond tales of a somewhat Cuthbert Cringeworthy moment when Bugs was invited to say grace before breakfast, they did not have much to report. Hands up if the following scene didn't just pop into your head...

Buggy at breakfast video

Readers Corner

Absent any other commentary, the public has stepped in and provided us with some quality diversions. First, the Sibley siblings got creative with their motivational message which quickly became the inaugural entry into the "Fan Zone" TM (see right). Within minutes, Erica Johnson and the IAC team at Studygroup  were one-upping them with their "Cheer-a-mid". Surely its Irene & Hildred's turn to go one better? If anyone has any suggestions for Paul (& Chris') No1 Fans, then don't be shy.

The Lads were also stunned yesterday by a sincere phone call from a certain JEA Tobbell which apparently contained no mockery, profanity or abuse.  I guess that there's a first time for everything when you're cycling across America. Hands up if the following scene just popped into your head;

Next up was the Sultana-esque Phil Jenkins, emailing under the pseudonym "Amanda" trying to get the following message of support to our spandex-clad superstars..

" Have been trying to send e-mails to Sumo but no joy! Go carefully as the Appalachians bear a remarkable resemblance to the hills around Merthyr Tydfyl. Although after 2000 miles the numbness will help. Doing a brilliant job! Keep it up. Phil Jenks"

Hands up if the following images didn't just pop into your head;

Hoping for an update today as they head towards Ohio. 

INDIANA II - Featuring Troopergate

Another missive from CT just hit the inbox;
" Forget Glastonbury, the Cannes Film Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe. We're in Rockville, Parke County Indiana and this week is the 52nd annual "Covered Bridge Festival". On its roadside welcome board, Rockville boldly announces itself as the "covered bridge capital of the world". I wouldn't dispute it, as the locals take it pretty seriously. At first glance it looked like a flimsy excuse for a hog roast and a few drinks. After having a look around it still seems like that. Unless you're a Rockvillian. It certainly makes up for missing the horseshoe throwing competition in Austin, Nevada by 1 day.

The Covered Bridge festival is so big that we almost got caught out finding a room. After seeing 'no vacancy' signs on a couple of motels we saw "The Bubble Gum Bed and Breakfast" (www.bubblegumbandb.com). It was also full but Elaine the friendly owner kindly offered to call round some other places for us.

She did and everywhere in Rockville (its small) was full. We sat and had coffee with Elaine's entire family, who were in the lounge watching Jeopardy, in between coming up with nonsensical suggestions for where we could stay, which ranged from the church (Elaine's mum), to the fire station (Grandad), and then Elaine actually called officer "Bob" at the police station to see if we could have a cell (no, she really did). Bob politely said that it wasn't possible. In the end by the time it got to 8:30 Elaine gave us Room 3 as the people who booked it had not shown up. I'm sure they're going to arrive any second now. Room 3 has 1 double bed, so we're forced into a 'Morecambe and Wise' situation tonight. Just what I needed...

Hard ride today from Decatur. Windy again. Just over 100 miles but we did about 10 extra because we got lost. On leaving Decatur this morning, Bugs said, "chuck the Illinois map, we don't need it now as we'll be in Indiana at lunchtime and its a straight road to the border". We did and it was but somehow we got lost on "the straight road".

Saw some stand up comedy in a bar in Decatur last night. The first act was truly diabolical. The 2nd, a guy called Dwight Yorke ( interesting career change from Premiership football) was reasonable. We thought we might have been out of the cowboy hat belt by now but most of the local Decatur men were 'dressed up' in their uniform of boots, jeans, unfeasibly large belt buckle, chunky cowboy shirt, oversized stetsun (worn indoors), goatee beard, bottle of Bud Light, swagger and oversize pickup truck outside. Mind you, in our cycling gear they clearly thought we were a right pair of top Leonards.

So another landmark day today. A new state and crossing into our 3rd (and final) tour time zone, Eastern time. Dave - we're not sure of the motto for Indiana. Is it "The Maschmeyer State"?

(Good guess CT, but as readers of last night's post could tell you, it is in fact the Hoosier State. However, the state legislature might consider a change if there's enough public demand. I am considering a campaign, using the readership of this blog as my base. The significant response to the 1st Poll (see right), suggests that there are people out there who want a voice on the important issues of the day).

Shortly before the State Line, we had our 2nd brush with the law. We got pulled over by a copper as Buggy sailed through a stop sign causing the police car (who had right of way coming from the left) to stop to avoid hitting him. Officer Troga of the Illinois PD stopped me and shouted "your friend needs to pedal his sorry ass back here immediately as he's looking at a $75 traffic violation ticket." Bugs didn't respond and kept going, oblivious to the fact that the cop car was even there because he was listening to Led Zeppelin 4 on his ipod, very loudly. A defence that held little water with Officer Troga. Where is PC Barfoot when you need him? (In fact Pete - what has happened to Barf?) Anyway, after a chat about the fact that we were just 2 dopey British guys who didn't know any better ("we weren't sure what the big red sign with stop on it meant - we don't have those in Wales" etc etc) and the bike ride, he let us off.

Special mention today for a key member of our support team - our in-house meteorological expert, Lindsay Dovey. Linz has been sending us strategic, in-depth tactical weather reports, from the Met faculty at Reading University where she's studying for a degree in Meteorological Studies, which now form the cornerstone of our strategic ride planning. Eg "Lads, you will get wet today, Linz". Keep them coming Lindsay!

CT & Bugs"

For non-UK readers, this is a picture of the only other famous Welsh meteorologist & is in no way meant to suggest any likeness between Ms Dovey and Sian Lloyd. Also note the level of detail and useful information that one can expect from a British weather forecast.

INDIANA

Illinois, Schmillinois! Blink & you missed it. The Lads made quick work of that state. So quick in fact that Gordy didn't have time to point out that he used to work in Chicago, in an old department store. Fortunately, he doesn't work there any more, so its a moot point.

Here's CT's latest email which I think sums things up better than I could;

" We're in Indiana!"

I'm thinking that we might get a bit more detail overnight, but it signals good progress today. I thought I'd kill some time by charting out the phenomenal progress that they have made so far (See below). As you can see, they are very much on the back 9, as a note from earlier today points out;

"Yo DC! Just left Decatur heading east on the 36. We might make it into Indiana this afternoon..Weather looks good today - dry and sunny - hoping for good mileage. We're down to less than a 1000 to go now we reckon. The countdown's on..Our main concern is finding a easy route through the Appalachian mountains.."

I'm not exactly sure what he means by 'easy route through the Appalachians', I did some research & could only really come up with this image to point out some of the dangers that may lay in wait. Apparently, the Appalachian folk are so hospitable that they insist on entertaining any passers-by with some friendly banjo banter. Knowing Bugs, I'm sure he'll find it hard to resist the chance to jam with the locals, I just hope that it doesn't slow them down too much.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyKvD-4IxOY

For now, they are in Indiana - the "Hoosier state". I am very familiar with Indy, so will be able to educate interested readers as our cycling heroes progress through the base of the WORLD champion Colts* and home of Motorsport (with apologies to residents of Silverstone and that place in Italy where they make Ferraris).

*2007

ILLINOIS Chapter 2, featuring food reviews

Chris' thumbs must be sore after cranking out this one on his blackberry today;

"Morning DC1 (using your full name due to the welcome recent emergence to the blog of the 40 year old DC2),

Currently in Pittsfield, Illinois. We made a glorious crossing over the wonderful Missisippi River which forms the state line between Missouri and Illinois, in Mark Twain country.
The fall (autumn for you Brits out there) colours are beautiful right now and we had a great ride through some lush Illinois countryside.

Our exertions make breakfast an important daily event for us and I'm delighted to announce a new holder of the "best breakfast on tour" title and also a new entrant for the prestigious "nicest people we've met on tour" league. Let's hear it for Kemps Restaurant (www.Kempsrestaurant.com) in the town of Clarence, Missouri!

Managed by the charming Roberta Bichsel (think Felicity Kendal meets Jennifer Aniston) along with Travis and Roberta's elegant mum Barbara Kemp. (Pics to follow DC1). We had a blockbuster full breakfast and an entertaining chat with the team at Kemps, after which Roberta refused to accept any payment!

After hearing of our fundraising and looking at the blog she asked that our breakfasts be her contribution to the cause. Roberta didn't stop there. On hearing our clueless route conversation she called the local Highway police in both Missouri and across the border in Illinois to ask for route advice and Bugs ended up having a long conversation with the duty Sergeant about the best roads for cycling which he sent through and Roberta printed off for us (mainly due to her dismay at the fact that we didn't have a map that extended to Illinois, and that our Missouri map was at that point a screwed up ball of soggy papier mache in Bugs back pocket). To round off the breakfast Roberta called the local newspaper to interview us.

We also tend to eat big lunches too. The previous day after an extended 74 mile, appetite building morning ride we chanced upon the China Garden 'all you can eat' buffet lunch and comprehensively took them to the cleaners - somewhat reminiscent of the 'eat off' with Jumbo, Bonner and Tobs at the lunch buffet aboard the Harwich - Hook of Holland ferry, on football tour circa 1991.

I caught Mr Garden making a distressed grimace as we left his fine chinese eatery and cycled off down route 36.

After one last drink stop at the Railsplitter Inn in Hull with the owner, who looked uncannily like Eli Wallach in the Good the Bad and the Ugly, we made it to Pittsfield. (Pictured right after spending 20 mins talking to CT & Bugs - Ed).

Marriage congratulations to Liz Connolly (sorry I couldn't be there last weekend) and big congrats also to Nige Pamps and Chrissy!

Cheers,
CT"

So we're up to date ... One editorial note. It has been pointed out that there is something of a whiff of nepotism in the Birthday wishes that have been posted on the blog. I must confess that there seems to be an interesting trend in the Crossen family to have birthdays approximately 9 months after the traditional central heating switch off date of Jan 31st. However, I would point out that this is open to all & to prove the point, I am delighted to wish Gordy McDermid happy birthday for tomorrow (Oct 16th).

ILLINOIS

Wednesday Update;

Quick call with CT last night revealed that they have made it to Illinois - State # 7 I believe. Staying in Pittsfield, IL after another 100+ mile day. I got an injury update which involved some quite detailed descriptions of Sumo's nether regions which I won't repeat here. The bottom line is that Sumo is beginning to show the inevitable signs of wear & tear that a normal person might expect after sitting on a razor-thin saddle non stop for 25 days. Bugs is fine.

$$$ SPONSOR SOME SPANDEX $$$

Tired of seeing CT decked out like some sort of washed-up TGI Fridays waiter at the end of a long shift?



Think that Paul is being a bit premature with his Tiger Woods-esque Red shirt before the final day?




Want to do some fine work for charity but not talk about it?

Or perhaps you're just plain generous and caring.

What better way to help out those less fortunate than you than making a donation to one or both of the fine charities that the Lads are pedaling for. You would also be doing a big favor to anyone who happens to be downwind of our spandex-clad duo. If we can collectively add another few hundred quid (or thousands in the case of the US peso) to these worthwhile causes, they have both promised to buy a fresh cycling shirt. And wear it.

Special Message to members of Trumpton & the UK Drivel Clique; There is a disappointing absence of familiar names & sarcastic puns/mocking comments on the charity sites. Dig deep & make the boys proud - in the words of my old Headmaster (when he had no idea who was responsible for a particular offence). " We know who you are".

Paul is riding on behalf of the Ed Evans Foundation & proceeds will go towards Brain Tumour UK;

http://www.justgiving.com/sanfrancisconewyork2008

Donations on Chris' site will go to Building Futures, a Study Group initiative in collaboration with Plan International;



http://www.firstgiving.com/christaylor2008



Thanks in advance...

MISSOURI - Day 2

The Lads are making steady progress through Missouri. Here's an overnight update;

"Yo DC,We made it to Macon which is about 130 miles today. Should be in Illinois by tomorrow lunchtime (border town - Hannibal) Knackered - long day today and it rained for the last couple of hours of today's ride. Cheers mate - speak tomorrow, Sumes"

A couple of hours later, in came this important piece of info which will be a big relief for anyone caught downwind of these two;

" We're in Macon, Missouri. Breaking news - we did laundry yesterday which has boosted morale.. The status of riding gear was toggling between 'critical' and 'red alert'"

Readers Corner;

Further contact from the Wowk family today, who are obviously responding positively to the appearance of the Speaks Workwear logo on the the last blog. Fresh from a no doubt bracing trip to Whitby, they clearly understand the value of viral marketing & will keep getting positive mentions as the number one purveyor of tabards & other such quality workwear to the fine upstanding working population of the Greater Keighley conurbation. More info available through Wowkypedia.

Also, a nice note from Irene who works with Paul ... I guess that she's doing double duty with her own job & handling all of Paul's projects, so lets hear it for Irene!

" Had a short email from Paul it was great to hear from him – do tell him that we are keeping up with his blog page and tracking his performance – we are all routing for him. There is great speculation here that he won’t finish in time so do tell him to prove the sceptics wrong and peddle like crazy to make it to the finish in time.

Hildred and I are his No 1 fans and ‘Sumo’ is ok as well!!! There’s lots going on in the States at the moment –the election and what not! – tell them to keep their heads down, or they might find themselves on the Election trail, I’m told there’s a lady Rottweiler lurking around too."

I think by sceptics, she was referring to those naysayers who are casting doubt on the Lads' commitment & not the inhabitants of this great nation... I was pleased to see that her email (sent to Lucy) had the following warning at the end;

"Mae’n ddigon posibl y bydd unrhyw ohebiaeth drwy’r GSI yn cael ei logio, ei monitro a/neu ei chofnodi yn awtomatig am resymau cyfreithiol".

I believe that this translates as " When diving into a swimming pool after an afternoon of drinking, please ensure that there is sufficient water in the pool to avoid an accident." More to come on this story later...
And finally some activity from the previously quiet UK Drivel Clique .. The aforementioned cynics Gordy & Bonner (pictured above) continue in their cynical attempts to undermine the efforts of Irene & Hildred's heroes and questioning the diameter of their wheelbase (or "DW Count" as this is called amongst the cycling fraternity). Surely Chris will have something to say about that in his next message?

MISSOURI - The "Show me" state

Overnight missive from CT:

"Missouri! 6th State of the trip. We're in St Joseph, Missouri, where we're staying tonight.

Tough cycling today. Did 103 miles but all in heavy winds. Frustrating as this is where we'd planned to be clocking up 130+ but its just not possible in this weather. Not even 'The Cynical Brothers', Bonner & Gordy (who incidentally refuses to pledge a cent of donation until we've completed the entire route to NYC), can claim we've been lucky this week.

We are quite glad to see the back of Kansas. I think we caught it on a bad few days with the weather but of all the states we've been through this is the one that is least how we expected it to be. Certainly tougher terrain for cycling than expected.

The people have been fabulous though. Met an interesting elderly couple this morning at breakfast - Chuck and Daisy from Kansas who were in Marysville to attend a sale of tractor parts and antique engines. He got his wallet out to show me some pictures that I assumed would be his grandchildren but no, he actually had pictures of all his tractors in his wallet. To be fair though, he also had a picture of his wife Daisy - in the background standing behind his favourite tractor. As we left breakfast thinking, could there be a worse way to spend a Sunday than at a sale of tractor engine parts in Marysville, Kansas, I imagine Chuck and Daisy were saying the same to each other about us cycling against the wind over the hilly route 36 to Missouri.

Cheers,CT"

KANSAS Sunday

Here's an update from CT received Sunday evening NY time...

" Well, it turns out that big Steve Apple (Trumpton AFC goalkeeper and BBQ guru) was on to something with his comment that Kansas is the place for steak and BBQ.

We had the best tour meal so far at Duffys Bar and Grill in Smith Center. Their Prime Rib special was quite sensational and we got into a rather involved conversation with Ms Duffy, the charming owner about, well, prime rib. That might not be her name but she looked a bit like Jane Seymour - or more accurately, how I'd imagine Jane Seymour to look after cooking steak and eggs for Kansas farmers for 15 years. Maybe when Miss Solitare lost her mojo in Live and Let Die she opened a steakhouse in Kansas? 

Ms Duffy-Seymour told us in some detail how their prime rib is slow roasted, seasoned and then grilled. Have to say I wasn't really that bothered (as I guess the blog readers aren't either) but for some reason it was a fairly critical issue for Bugs who recently seems to think he's some sort of Gordon Ramsey - Lucy what have you done to him?!

Anyway, a fine meal and when we left Ms Seymour-Duffy was as amused with Buggy's welsh accented "cheerio" as we were entertained with her Kansas "now you two boys come back again real soon now you hear, and I'll make some more of that there cherry pie for ya". I think she took a shine to Bugs.

Thanks for the mention of our 2000 mile landmark DC. Yes we celebrated at a gas station in Belleville with a pack of Skittles (our preferred 'wild berry' flavor) and a bag of Planters fruit and nut trail mix. Rock and Roll...

Stayed in Marysville last night in the ironically named 'Surf Motel'. Maybe its because there isn't a motel further from any surf. Hard ride yesterday, 119 miles. Against the wind again and who said Kansas is flat? Its not. DC, if your big posh clever company owns The Weather Channel, can you have a word with them about these easterly winds in Kansas? It was vaguely interesting for the first 3 minutes but after 3 days of constant east and south east winds we're not impressed.

Sunday midday - Just stopped for lunch in Hiawatha. Other than the name, its staggeringly dull.

Thanks to Wowky for the motivational phone message he left this morning which gave us a welcome and necessary lift in Hiawatha. Great to hear you had a nice day out in Whitby. I imagine its pretty much like Missouri. Love to Tracy and Georgie.

Cheers,
CT"

Hands up if you'd rather be eating skittles and cycling around Kansas vs. contemplating another week in the rat race...