Leaving Vandalia was pretty fun because we had two ride alongs with us. They actually left a little before we did to get a head start but we caught up and they rode with the team for the first 15 miles of town before turning back around to head home. The terrain was a lot easier, more flat farmland but the wind was all over in every direction which was difficult for the cyclists.
Today's ride we also crossed into Indiana, it was a short visit to Illinois, but we didn't see a state sign on the ride. We have also made it to our last time zone, we are now on Eastern Time, it is crazy how far we have come. All the east coast guys were excited to be back in their normal time zone, it means we are so close to DC.
Because we jumped forward an hour and we had a 105 mile day planned we were up at 5am but we still weren't able to make our rack time so at about 75 miles everyone was racked to stage up for our arrival to Indiana State University where media and brothers from the chapter here were waiting for us. It was cool to meet the other brothers, a couple of them rode GUF with our crew chief and the 4 guys from ASU. They had lunch for us and we hung out with them before heading to the recreation complex where we are sleeping to shower and change for our friendship visit.
The visit was with an organization called Happiness Bag that focuses on independent living and social and recreational activities for people with disabilities. They were a blast to hang out with. When we got there we walked through a tunnel of people giving them all high fives it was so fun. The didn't waste any time in getting us dancing. Amanda approached me after we had all gotten in and asked to dance so we were the first 2 out on the floor and pretty quickly we filled the floor. Afyer a few songs the mayor came up and read a proclamation declaring this day as Push America Day and thanked us for what we are doing. Before he left we convinced him to line dance with us which was great. He has worked for a similar organization that benefited people with disabilities so he was willing to be goofy with us. We ate dinner there and I sat with Tina and had a lot of fun, she has been to Seattle a few times to visit family so she knows what I'm talking about when I say I love it there. We danced more after dinner and then pulled out the karaoke and the whole team sang Wagon Wheel for everyone which was a big hit. I was trying to get one guy we met, Roy, to go sing because he was rocking out to Elvis Presley songs earlier, dance moves and all. It was so fun, definitely one of the best visits we have had and it was such good timing for the team. It helped put us all in a better mood and remind us what we are here for.
We headed back to lodging to have a team meeting and then got ready for tomorrow, it's a 60 mile ride to Bloomington but a really early morning to get to a sponsored breakfast before we leave.
Today's ride we also crossed into Indiana, it was a short visit to Illinois, but we didn't see a state sign on the ride. We have also made it to our last time zone, we are now on Eastern Time, it is crazy how far we have come. All the east coast guys were excited to be back in their normal time zone, it means we are so close to DC.
Because we jumped forward an hour and we had a 105 mile day planned we were up at 5am but we still weren't able to make our rack time so at about 75 miles everyone was racked to stage up for our arrival to Indiana State University where media and brothers from the chapter here were waiting for us. It was cool to meet the other brothers, a couple of them rode GUF with our crew chief and the 4 guys from ASU. They had lunch for us and we hung out with them before heading to the recreation complex where we are sleeping to shower and change for our friendship visit.
The visit was with an organization called Happiness Bag that focuses on independent living and social and recreational activities for people with disabilities. They were a blast to hang out with. When we got there we walked through a tunnel of people giving them all high fives it was so fun. The didn't waste any time in getting us dancing. Amanda approached me after we had all gotten in and asked to dance so we were the first 2 out on the floor and pretty quickly we filled the floor. Afyer a few songs the mayor came up and read a proclamation declaring this day as Push America Day and thanked us for what we are doing. Before he left we convinced him to line dance with us which was great. He has worked for a similar organization that benefited people with disabilities so he was willing to be goofy with us. We ate dinner there and I sat with Tina and had a lot of fun, she has been to Seattle a few times to visit family so she knows what I'm talking about when I say I love it there. We danced more after dinner and then pulled out the karaoke and the whole team sang Wagon Wheel for everyone which was a big hit. I was trying to get one guy we met, Roy, to go sing because he was rocking out to Elvis Presley songs earlier, dance moves and all. It was so fun, definitely one of the best visits we have had and it was such good timing for the team. It helped put us all in a better mood and remind us what we are here for.
We headed back to lodging to have a team meeting and then got ready for tomorrow, it's a 60 mile ride to Bloomington but a really early morning to get to a sponsored breakfast before we leave.
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