14th May 2018 Monday – State Park here I come.

Hello Everybody!

Route: Shelbyville to Lieber State Park

For the non-mathematicians out there:

Distance: 74 miles (Total 978)	Average speed: 10.9mph
Calories: 2,150	Cycling time: 6h 48min
Average cadence: still not fixed	Climb: 2,457ft, Descent: 2,300ft
Heart (yes I have one): Max 135 Aver 108	Aver Temp: 32C, Max temp 37C
Temperament: Feeling good, Feeling good

After a good fairly early start for me it was GO WEST young man, yet again. Wind was beginning to get sort of kinder. I mullered the first few miles and just kept going. Not much occurred until I arrived in Franklin where I was looking for my mid-morning coffee. Cycled up to a table outside, saw three older ladies and thought I would check the termperature by stooping next to them and saying: “Sorry I’m so late”. They smiled so we ended up chatting about stuff. They were all retired teachers. Teachers are bad enough, but retired ones need careful handling in my humble. Just as well I am sensitive towards ladies of an elderly disposition.

They looked after my bike while I got some drink/food and then we chatted about how bad this was, how bad that was – you know the general teacher chat role model. Anyway they were great fun to be with and then I was gone like a flash with only their “don’t go so soooooon, can’t you stay for another moment please, you haven’t paid your flipping bill, where’s my purse etc. etc.”.

After that it was a race against the clock, in terms of a temperature clock, possibly also known as a thermometer, as by gum, it was getting warm. But kind, gentle wind was being very nice today and helped me on my way.

I soon arrived at Lieber State Park, after buying some provision just before arriving at Lieber State Park. It was very quiet as in very quiet however at least I could get a place. 

They had given me a tent site which was made of concrete – not my first choice but actually not that bad either as my knees seem much stronger these days. I saw a racoon near to me but thought nothing of it. After coming back from my shower, I noticed that my little furry friend was eating the bread I had stored in one of my larger panniers. Little blighter. I shooed him/her away but it kept hanging around looking for any other chance. No chance as I looked everything in the tent and this seemed to work.

I’d spoken to 2 guys staying in a big 5^th Wheel type of American caravan – you know, the huge things that attach to an almost as big van/monster truck. They were very nice and really enjoying themselves, their wives did not come with them I mention this purely to help fill in the bare tapestry I am trying to compose. Anyhow Once I returned to my tent area I started to cook my dinner but before I could say “Anslie Oliver” one of the chaps had returned with a ready made meal of steak, corn on the cob and mashed potato and asked if I would like it. It was lovely. Again another example of people being lovely.

Off to bed, it rained overnight but the concrete did not get too soggy and the plastic bag trick worked yet again. I was up nice an early on the next stage of my voyage of discovery. Arising at 7.30 and managing to leave by 8.40 – world record stuff that is!

May your god (just in case) go with you, Alan

Straight & Flat - just how I like my roads to be

Again, middle of nowhere, no idea what is going on