Back on the road again

Days: 21

Distance: 1641 km / 1020 mi

Location: South Bend, IN

Well, now that graduation is over, we hit the road again! First we got our bikes tuned up at the Two-Wheel Tango Bike Shop in Ann Arbor. The mechanics let us watch as they rebuilt Amelia's back wheel with stronger spokes (which hopefully won't break all the time like her old spokes). They also replaced my derailleur cable and gave us a bunch of maintenance tips. I give them 5 stars!

Michigan International Speedway

(click photo to enlarge)

We made it to South Bend in two days, where we are now staying with Amelia's aunt and uncle. On the way we passed the Michigan International Speedway (above). It was closed, but some guys were fixing the gate and had it open. We asked if we could go in and they let us, so we got to climb the bleachers for a spectacular view of the 1.5 mile track.

Walmart Distribution Center #6043
So huge it won't even fit in the photo! I measured it with my bike and it was half a mile long.


Power Tour 2009
We noticed a large number of beautiful hot rods on the road. We met a few of the drivers at a rest stop, who told us about the Power Tour. This is an annual tour of hot rod owners who drive for eight days around the central states. They were headed from South Bend to Detroit. Several thousand cars participate! So for the next few hours we were treated to a long stream of gorgeous cars passing us in the other direction. Below: A Power Tour driver with his classic hot rod.


Indiana, our fifth state/province





















Camping on a bicycle
Some of you may be wondering just how we do this biking/camping thing. Below is a photo of the back of Amelia's bike. She has a tent (large gray bag), a sleeping pad (orange roll), and two saddle bags to carry her sleeping bag, clothes, food, and a camping stove.

When we get in to camp, the first step is to set up our tent. We have to do this first in case it starts to rain!
















The next step is to change out of our dirty cycling clothes, and into our less-dirty camping clothes. Then we cook dinner on the camp stove. Our favorite meal is instant rice and beans, because it is nourishing and uses very little fuel to cook. We also have to eat at least one vegetable every night to avoid scurvy. Below: Enjoying a hearty meal a-la-campstove.

When we've been camping for several days in a row, we have to wash our clothes. This is easily accomplished with the portable washing machine, otherwise known as two ziplock bags. First you fill one bag with water and soap. Then you stuff in some clothes, zip the bag, and squish/slosh it around for a while. Remove clothes and rinse them in the second bag with clean water. Then ring them out and hang them up to dry on a clothes line fashioned from p-cord. If they aren't dry by morning, you can tie them to the back of your bike and let them dry in the wind as you ride!

(Note: this washing method is not recommended for winter trips. Frozen clothes are no fun. Ask me how I know)

Time zones
Tomorrow we are headed on to Illinois, and we will cross over into Central Time! This is a fun landmark, although it means it won't be broad daylight at 9 pm anymore.

Next update will come from the west side of the Mississippi River!