Day 22 First Thousand June 13th

Marion IN to Peru IN 49 miles (1,032)

Today my route was about as perfect as it gets. Out of 49 miles, 35 or so were on dedicated bicycle trails. The other mileage was on beautiful back roads of Indiana farmland.

Back on the Cardinal Greenway Trail for a while:
Then on to the Sweetser Switch Trail. This was perhaps the best maintained trail I have seen. It also had interesting historical artifacts along the way. If a community is considering building a bicycle trail, they should definitely send a couple of committee members to check out the Sweetser Switch Trail:
(above) Are you old enough to remember the Schwinn Varsity - seen here hanging on a shelter alongside the Sweetser Switch Trail?
(above) A baggage buggy from the railroad days of yore, replete with old luggage.
My 1,000 mile coincided with the Converse Junction point of the Sweetser Switch Trail.

I met Terry (below) while he was mowing his son's lawn along one of the back roads I rode to get from one trail to the next. I commented in an earlier post - but it bears repeating - that Pennsylvania Ohio and Indiana get so much rain it allows for many homeowners to have expansive lawns. Everyone seems to take pride - in a good way - in keeping their lawns well manicured. Also, everyone seems to own a riding lawn mower, which they enjoy using frequently. Thus it is a rare hour of cycling to not hear the buzz of a riding lawn mower.
I also met some of Terry's family - son Kelly, daughter-in-law Ariel, and two year old (she'll turn three the day after Independence Day) granddaughter Liberty. I regret not getting everyone's picture together.

After a few minutes with Terry and his family I was off on some more beautiful back roads knowing that I wanted to get to my destination ASAP as the weather forecast called for increasing winds from the north and I knew that the last section of my route would take me straight into the headwinds. It turns out that I didn't need to be concerned because the trail I was on heading north had such a full, protective canopy that the only time I noticed the wind was when I had to cross a road where the canopy stopped for a few tenths of a mile. This is the Nickel Plate Trail:

Comments

  1. KellarJune 13, 2021 at 12:29 PM

    Wow so awesome, just simply amazing. Thank you so much for sharing!! Safe travels.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rolff ChristensenJune 13, 2021 at 4:14 PM

      Thank you- has Cam been following on a map to learn some U.S. geography?

      Delete
  2. velomomJune 13, 2021 at 12:51 PM

    So Beautiful! Glad is was a good day for you....and congratulations on the 1000 mile plus accomplishment.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownJune 13, 2021 at 4:21 PM

    Rolff...GREAT JOB!! Beautiful Pictures, What an Accomplishment!! you should be so proud 1,000 miles!! We do miss you here and look forward to hearing from you when you get back...Keep safe
    We Keep you in our prayers...Daily

    ReplyDelete
  4. Capt HawkJune 13, 2021 at 7:50 PM

    Rolf looking forward to riding with you here in Iowa
    Capt Hawk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Capt HawkJune 13, 2021 at 7:51 PM

      I am currently 9 miles away from the bike path you will take. There will be a hot or cold shower waiting for you too

      Delete
    2. Capt HawkJune 13, 2021 at 7:52 PM

      I am currently 9 miles away from the bike path you will take. There will be a hot or cold shower waiting for you too

      Delete
    3. Rolff ChristensenJune 19, 2021 at 4:39 PM

      Wow - great to hear from you Hawk! I can't wait to see you and your family. I will be calling soon.

      Delete
  5. Angie RJune 13, 2021 at 8:22 PM

    Congratulations on the completion of 1000 miles-what an accomplishment! Pedal on!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rolff ChristensenJune 19, 2021 at 4:38 PM

      Thank you. It's pretty cool how if you do just a little bit of something at a time eventually you've done a whole lot of it.

      Delete
  6. UnknownJune 13, 2021 at 8:49 PM

    What a great ride description. Looks like you have made some amazing connections along the way...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Buck Eye in the StandsJune 13, 2021 at 9:34 PM

    Congrats on your first 1K miles!
    - Rick B.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rolff ChristensenJune 19, 2021 at 4:36 PM

      Thank you, Rick. Are you riding the Ohio to Erie with your brother right now?

      Delete
  8. Paula GJune 15, 2021 at 5:29 AM

    1000 miles, wow! Sounds like a pint of ice cream is in order :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rolff ChristensenJune 19, 2021 at 4:35 PM

      Ouch! I'm afraid now I will be forever remembered by you as the person who finished off a whole pint of chocolate peanut butter Häagen-Dazs in one sitting 🍨🍦🍨

      Delete
  9. UnknownJune 15, 2021 at 1:28 PM

    Congrats on 1000 mi +.
    Keep on truckin'!
    Tim A.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Albert LJune 15, 2021 at 2:43 PM

    Rolff CONGRATS on finishing the first 1,000 miles!! That's huge, and must feel so good. The photos you are taking are fantastic. Love 'em! This Sweetser Switch Trail is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rolff ChristensenJune 19, 2021 at 4:32 PM

      Great to hear from you Albert! So glad you're on the blog. Please say hi to Lisa and the children for me.

      Delete
  11. Robert AJune 16, 2021 at 7:19 PM

    Awesome Rolff! Trails look amazing! Must say I’m a little jealous. We did the ARBT on Saturday, but it does not compare w all the greenery you’re seeing...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rolff ChristensenJune 19, 2021 at 4:31 PM

      True, it's not as clean, but it's beautiful in it's own way. Plus it has Karen's :-)

      Delete

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