July 7, Day 37

July 7, Day 37
Crawsfordsville to Indianapolis, IN
Mileage: 64.2
Weather: Rainy in the AM: not so bad in the PM

Dear All,

Amy's Birthday. So far, we have ridden 2, 735 (give or take) miles.

We awoke to a thunder lightning storm and rain that would have fit perfectly as a jungle downpour. It was coming down in buckets. The staff was doubtful as to whether or not we would be able to ride at all. In addition, we have a meteorologist in the group who suggested that the weather patterns indicated that it was likely to be an all day event. As a result, a sizable number of riders decided to scrap the day and were SAGed by van to Indianapolis. We decided to hold out a while and see if the weather cleared. Our choice was the lucky choice.

By 10 am, the belly washer had been reduced to a light rain and about 11 of us started out. Within 45 minutes the rain had stopped although it remained cloudy. Since we had a late start there was some question as to whether we would be able to accomplish all the neat things that were on our schedule for the day. But, it all worked out perfectly.

At about the 33 mile mark, we pulled into the Roark Bike Factory. This specialty bike company makes parts for many of the sophisticated jet fighters in the US arsenal but has a tiny side line of making the most beautiful titanium bicycles you would ever want to see. Two and three men hand craft about 100 frames a year. You could buy a very nice used car for the price of one of these bikes. They are really gorgeous bikes.

After the tour of the bike factory, we pedaled another 20 miles or so and pulled into the Indianapolis Speedway. Our great friend,Tom Barney, had told us for years about the speedway and we had always hoped to see a race, perhaps even with Tom and Marge. That didn't happen but as we rolled into the speedway we couldn't help but think of Tom.

The speedway is HUGE. Inside the oval there are four holes of an 18 hole golf course and god knows what else. We took a tour around the old brickyard and it was really fascinating. Someday, we'll be back to see the race.

From the speedway we journeyed to the Major Taylor Velodrome. For the unitiated, a velodrome is a high banked oval that one races bicycles around. You will be able to see some of this really great racing this summer as part of the Summer Olympics. In any event, a number of us arrived at the veleodome and stood around watching. John decided “what the heck” and walked over and asked the folks in charge if we could ride it. We had been told by staff that we should be able to ride it although because of the rain delay, we were a good four hours past when we were supposed to have been there. In any event, the fellow in charge asked about a waiver and John simple responded that he was giving them his verbal waiver of liability (probably not worth a thing) and the head honcho said “go ahead, give it a try”. It was a HOOT!! After John had finished a couple of laps the other riders in our group figured if he could do, they would ask as well. Before long everyone was taking laps including Amy who actually went far higher on the banked track than John did. A great birthday present. Amy was smiling from ear to ear.

We left the velodrome and proceeded to follow pretty complex instructions into the city. As is not uncommon, we quickly were lost but lost on a wonderful canal that ran thru the downtown. Bikes weren't apparently allowed but on we rode. It was great.

Very late in the day (around 5:30) we finally pulled into the motel. Amy indicated that it was, without doubt, one of the most unique birthdays she had every had.

Tomorrow is a well deserved rest day. We hope to see some of the downtown area since for once our hotel is within walking distance of the downtown area. Then, of course, there is laundry and cleaning bikes that are required.

Thanks, as always for the good vibes. Keep praying to those weather gods.
Amy and John