er, that was hard...

I'd like to thank my wife for the (roundabout) impetus to go a-graveling today. I've been needing some vitamin G and today became the day. I used this route as the basis for my ride, having researched the many gravel sections of this area. I've been trying to organize a posse to do it with me, but the schedules have been busy and poor Dave is out for the moment.

Sitting here now, I'm tired, sunburned and understanding that I pushed myself to the limit today. The temps mid-ride were absurd, with my phone giving me 98F out of Dale, IN. The road surfaces, certainly in the first half, were far chunkier and rougher than expected, I have a feeling, with fresh graded gravel. The 32s on the Blueridge couldn't quite handle the surface today, just as I couldn't quite come to terms with the heat. I did alright until the stretch from Lincoln Boyhood to my 2nd visit to Mariah Hill when somewhere in there I got hot, too hot. I didn't have what it took to climb hills and process heat, so I walked a fair amount in there. What saved me was a stop at the gas station/Napa dealer in Mariah Hill, where I availed myself more than anything to resting.

I had intended a long, involved prose retelling of the abbreviated 40m adventure, but instead I took lots of pics, and they'll have to do the trick. Enjoy.

Can you say, "Uphill?"

I couldn't figure out the rank smells coming from certain areas. Was it oil or crop chemicals, or are they one and the same? If so, that's disgusting and we should all be eating from the farmers' market.

Catholic church in Mariah Hill. There's another one later. If there are any Peter Brueghel's the Elder fans out there, I couldn't  help but think of this church and so many of the Brueghel's town paintings. 

contour

cockpit: Salsa Moto Bell Ace, SRAM levers, interrupters, MtFeedBag, 'lil loafer.

Do I look like a young Eddy?

Chinn Rd.  I *hated* this road with a passion. The surface was better suited for a monster truck. Big fat annoying rocks masquerading as gravel.

Yellowbank Trail was a nice stretch. Too bad the heat was starting to take its toll.

Deer Fly Ln. I appreciate the shade, but I was attacked by flies here, but not necessarily deer flies.

More DeerFly Ln., in all its chunky misery. This stretch into the wind with increased lumpiness  and chunky gravel broke my spirits. I resigned to shorten at this point.

Rocks.

I had to ride to the side where it was smoother, but an errant bump would put me in that green ditch.

Little Pigeon Creek, part of a Wetlands Conservation Area. There were a variety of explorable trails in this area.

A bit sandy, but smoother terrain none-the-less. Like those power lines Michael?

more wetlands

I saw a brilliant black and white bird take off from this tree.

Some famous house. I keep thinking of Cl. Parker, Elvis' handler.

Park not too busy today.

Lincoln Boyhood Nat'l Park

Maybe the right rig today, maybe not. I'll have to post further thoughts when not wasted.

BR in front of large farm near Santa Claus, IN. I have a strong suspicion that it's owned by the Koch family, same as Holiday World.

More mixed terrain, my first experience with melting chip seal. It made for a noisy trip what with all the spitting rocks.

Another, and better, Brueghel inspired pic.

I liked this road. It was north of Mariah Hill, but I don't remember the name and I was walking from shade to shade at this point, at least on the hills.

C'est tout. Es todo. Me voy.