Day 35: Crawfordsville to Greenfield, IN

Today's Ride

https://give.michaeljfox.org/barbarasbigride

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/124064862

The Stats

Loved Indy!

74 miles

1,398 ft. climbed

Miles Completed: 2,396

Miles to Go: 1,000

States Visited: 9 of 15

Total Climbed: 79,437 ft.

Highlights: Downtown Indy and riding on a car-free bike path.

Challenges: Not many, other than a few busy stretches of road and chopped up pavement coming out of Indy.

The Ride

The day started once again with cool temps and bright skies. We were all relaxed as it was a relatively short day, and did a great rendition of the Green Acres theme song ("Greenfield, is the place to be...") to kick off the ride. We doubled back through "central" Crawfordsville onto Rte 36 for some time, which wound through more farms. While we continued to see the usual silos and farmhouses, they were seemingly more "suburban" farms, homes in a neighborhood though still spread far apart. 

Thanks to Jill, again, for the photo!

I was struck by the patriotic feel of each and every town we passed through -- whether because of flags and signs honoring veterans or just the American pride displayed by a flag or other forms of home decor, the patriotism was palpable. There's nothing comparable at home, at least not since the immediate aftermath of 9/11, when every car proudly waved an American flag. 

I almost doubled back to speak to a woman sitting on the porch of a house decorated to the hilt with Uncle Sam paraphernalia and red-white-and-blue everything to find out what motivated the passion. All I can say is I should have. On this trip, I've never regretted stopping for something -- only when I haven't.

Fortunately, someone else photographed this sign that I thought about stopping for!

On the way into Indy, we passed through the Speedway neighborhood, literally called that. They take their car racing and accompanying decorations seriously. Think Ann Arbor with the "M" displays a la race paraphernalia, which I know nothing about. Even the public utilities get in the game.

But downtown Indy was a real highlight. Our route followed the Cultural Trail. The city seemed gleaming new -- whether it is or not I don't know, but it did have that "let's make downtown a thing" kind of feel -- all enhanced by the blue sky and sunshine. Wish we had more time to explore, but it seemed worth a return visit!

Downtown Indy

Greenfield, Indiana 

After some time on the Pennsy Bike Trail -- a welcome respite from traffic laden roads -- we arrived in Greenfield. Still not sure if it functions as a suburb of Indy or is just a small city in and of its own right. But at my suggestion, a few of us landed at The Depot, a cool vibe spot with an outdoor deck and plenty of room for our bikes (a critical factor). Plus it was one of the only places in town open during the day (perhaps a more critical factor!). 

Dining at The Depot in Greenfield

I wonder what number beer this is???

Meantime, back at the ranch (aka the Holiday Inn), we were scheduled for a "catered" meal at the hotel. Still plastic utensils, and truly nothing remarkable. But at least I secured some wine to share from the liquor store across the street, which happened to have a Tito's bicycle. Go figure!

You Know You've Been Married a Long Time When...

...you're biking along a bike path with a solar system model spaced to scale along the trail, passing Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, and then excitedly stop at Uranus, literally laughing out loud, thinking about how your husband, with a 10-year-old boy sense of humor, would crack up if I had wondered out loud, "Where's Uranus????" 

It's a short day tomorrow -- so short we're planning for a later start -- but that just means there's more pressure on the Route Rap Rappers to come up with something good, so I better get working on it!

And Some More Random Pics...

The lions continue to haunt me!

Wolverines are everywhere!

Found Linda in downtown Indy!

More murals!