[Margaret wants to know where I'm getting the values for feet of climbing, Calories, etc. I have a Garmin Edge 705 bike computer with gps. The Garmin keeps track of all the data from the ride, including heart rate, cadence, slope, elevation, etc.]
Today was decorate your helmet day. Some of the fuddy-duddies didn't participate, but some riders went all out. Cousin Harry takes the prize for effort!
The forecast was for thunderstorms and rain - it didn't happen. Although streets in Champaign were wet from last night's rain, we were soon riding on dry roads. It was cool and cloudy all morning and rain threatened, but we were pleasantly surprised at how nice conditions turned out to be. We were even spared the pesky headwinds that had plagued us the last few days. The ride was very nice, basically flat, on country roads through woods and fields. About halfway, we crossed the state line into Indiana, where we dutifully sprinkled our beach sand. I rode most of the day with Peter, Big Al, and Fred (who is from Indiana).
Indiana is the Hoosier state. Al asked Fred, "What's a Hoosier?"
According to ask.com: Like barnacles, a thick crust of speculation has gathered over the word "Hoosier" to explain the origin of Indiana's nickname. Popular theories, diligently and often sincerely advanced, form a rich, often amusing body of folklore. Those theories include: "Who's here?" as a question to unknown visitors or to the inhabitants of a country cabin; Hussar, from the fiery European mounted troops; "Huzzah!" proclaimed after victory in a fight; Husher, a brawny man, capable of stilling opponents; Hoosa, an Indian word for corn; Hoose, an English term for a disease of cattle which gives the animals a wild sort of look; and the evergreen "Who's ear?" asked while toeing a torn-off ear lying on the bar room floor the morning after a brawl.
The best evidence, however, suggests that "Hoosier" was a term of contempt and opprobrium common in the upland South and used to denote a rustic, a bumpkin, a countryman, a roughneck, a hick or an awkward, uncouth or unskilled fellow. Although the word's derogatory meaning has faded, it can still be heard in its original sense, albeit less frequently than its cousins "Cracker" and "Redneck."
Factoid: Lew Wallace, Civil Was general, governor of New Mexico, and author of Ben-Hur. A Tale of the Christ lived in Crawfordsville as a child and is buried here.
New rider of the day: Sue Yocum, from Sisters, Oregon, has joined us in Champaign for the final push to Boston. She rides a "bent," a recumbent bicycle.
Beach Bike Trek Update:
ReplyDeleteThe morning dawned bright and clear, marred only by some low-lying clouds that hinted at rain but never delivered. The wind was nonexistent, so the Intrepid Seven* set out with high hopes of achieving a record-setting speed across the outlying reaches of the 190th Flatlands. D1, our trusty key domestique and informal team leader, established a blistering pace with K-Dog and the Fourth Rider up at the front, closely followed by yours truly, D2, and D-Dog. Per usual, we were tailed by B-Dog (aka Bubby), whose large frame and stellar use of the lower gears enabled him to power through the ride. The journey to our final SAG stop was surprisingly relaxing - although our speed precluded much sightseeing, we did find ourselves gazing at a flock of colorful green birds, who circled us and called out a friendly greeting as we made our way across the flatlands and back to our home base.
* We are saddened to report that the Eighth Rider (S-Cat) has once again failed to show up for the morning briefing and check-in. His future with the team grows increasingly uncertain.
Ah, you're riding right through a town I've spent a lot of time in - Donnelley was very big in C-ville. Watch out for Warsaw In, Williard OH, and Lancaster PA for more Donnelley towns!
ReplyDeleteSaw Tim Fitzhugh today on his bike and he said he was riding in your honor - you're getting all of us out there! B