~BunceMan's TranzAmerican Bike Ride~
Log Entry #31: July 8, 2005
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Day 26: Tippecanoe River State Park to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Yesterday, I was rolling through the farm lands of Indiana on some obscure roads not on the map (but they were going in the right direction). This one particular road ended on Highway 35. Just to make sure I was supposed to go north, I stopped at a used car lot to ask.
"Is this the way to Tippecanoe River State Park?"
"Oh man, you gotta long way to go," said the 'used car salesman.' "Just kiddin', it's about two miles up the road." Then he did a once over on me and bike. That's what used car salesmen do, right, to figure the best strategy to sell you a used car. "You don't look like you're just out for a little ride. Where you come from?" he asked.
I handed him my card. "I started in Newport, Oregon, and hope to finish in Atlantic City, New Jersey."
Most people I say this too are taken aback when I tell them.. not this guy. "You know, I need to do some travelin'. I've always wanted to go see that big dam on the Colorado River."
"Grab a bike," I said, "Let's go."
Without missing a beat, the used car salesman said, "Shoot, I won't even drive my car that far. I'm gonna fly."
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More Indiana farm land today. Tomorrow, BunceMan's TranzAmerican Bike Ride rolls into Ohio. With two days of good riding, I hope to see relatives in Ohio I have not seen in over 30 years...
Day 26 mileage: 101 miles | Other highlights of the day | Of historical interest