Day 33:

A day off in Madison, Wisconsin. Did a little shopping. Replaced the front tire on my bike as it was getting quite a few gouges in it. I’d hate to have it go flat suddenly, especially when I am going fast downhill. Been there, done that, and I want to keep my new skin.

I also replaced the brakes as they were getting worn.

I bought a new tent, one much larger than the previous one. A small tent gets crowded after a month, even when it is only one person in it. This one is a roomy two person tent as opposed to the small two person tent that I have been using. I can even almost stand up in this one.

I sent e-mails, and updated the web pages, and now I’m ready to start another week of riding. Next day off, and next e-mails and web update will be July 24, in Sandusky, Ohio. Only two more weeks, and I’m in Washington D.C. I can’t believe that I’m that close to being done.

Day 34:

I didn’t really want to ride today. I think that I’m ready for this thing to end. A month is long enough. I didn’t really feel that way until I had enjoyed a day off.

By the way, a piece of trivia for all you dictators and managers out there. The masses don’t riot when things are bad, they riot after things start to get better. It’s like you don’t fight for a better condition until you’ve had a taste of the better condition. So, if you’re a dictator or manager, don’t let things get better or there will be riots.

Well, after a day off, I didn’t want to ride. But after enduring the start, the day turned out real nice, and I’m now good until the next day off. By then, I’m only a week out, so I’ll make it just fine. I’m getting pretty good on those hills.

Keith, one of the riders, who happens to be a paraplegic, qualified today for the US team in the 2000 Para-Olympics in Australia. We now travel in good company.

Day 35:

Another day, another root beer float. Just doing the "Dairy Queen Hop" right on into Lisle Illinois. I wonder if these are addictive?

I visited Fermi-Lab today. That’s the super-conducting particle accelerator, the most powerful in the world.

Day 36:

We are now in Indiana. We came down around Chicago, riding through suburbs. The traffic was terrible, the roads had no shoulders, the roads were also in need of repair. There were stop signs and stop lights everywhere. It was very hot and humid. We traveled 105 very long miles to LaPorte Indiana. Other than that it was a good day.

Day 37:

Arrived at Kendallville, Indiana. 93 miles of riding. Temperature reached 104 degrees (hottest yet), but there was little traffic, and we were out of the suburbs. A much better ride.

There was a lake at the campground. Went for a swim, and felt very much better in the hot weather.

It is night. We are currently having a very close, very intense thunder storm. The lightening and thunder are separated by less than a second, and the thunder sounds almost like gunshots, only louder. As the sound reaches you from different portions of the lightning across the sky, it sounds like the heavens are being ripped apart. Quite impressive.

The rain is cooling things off. I may be able to sleep tonight (after the noise quits.)

I had another float today, but I know I can quit when I want to.

Day 38:

The ride started with minor thunder showers this morning that eventually faded. It was overcast all day, and the temperature was no warmer than 85. It felt very cool, almost cold at times. What is happening to me, Since when did I think 85 was cool?

We are now in Napoleon, Ohio, and in the eastern time zone.

Since it was overcast, I didn’t put on any sun lotion, and I got burnt a little. I actually got blisters on the new skin on my knees where it is not tan yet.

Day 39:

No evil H’s today. No headwinds, no hills, low humidity and low heat. What a day. The miles just zipped right on by.

Ohio so far is flat. If you lived here, you would think the world was flat. I wonder why they put a town named Columbus in a world that’s flat?