Rolling out the red carpet – in Mishawaka
Sitting outside the Kroger grocery in Mishawaka, Indiana at 5 p.m. on Monday. So off my charted course and below my target miles. Long day on the road with a flat tire and stretched chain that needed to be replaced and now it was pouring.
But I was dry and under shelter and finally getting food and a man walks up and says, “Got everything you need?”
It was John Reisdorf – Mishawaka 3rd district city councilman John Reisdorf, and he ended up being a good guy and a savior.
“The last elected official that helped me with this tour was the mayor in Salisbury, New Brunswick,” I said. “He let me spend the night in the council chambers and the fire department rolled out a cot for me to sleep on.”
“Well, we can’t be outdone by New Brunswick,” said John, reaching for his keys.
“Take this, it’s to an apartment I own and there will be nobody there and you
can safely spend the night,” he said.
Just so kind. I notified my team back home, laid out the circumstances and then said, “Let’s run a background check.”
Everybody worries about my safety and so do I, but John came through with flying colors: Republican, 49 years old, City resident for the last 20 years, sports announcer for high school games for 10+ years. Well-known in the community and well-liked and his daughter was valedictorian in her 2013 high school graduating class.
I found the apartment easily enough and it all seemed to good to be true….and then it got better. John and his daughter Maggie stopped to visit; we even stepped out for a bit to tour the town.
By the way, we took Maggie’s car.
Their kindness put the cherry on top of the day and it reiterates the message about how many good people are out there.
Riding in Tribute to:
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| HELEN REINKE (right)
NOTE: Want to pay tribute to your loved one?
I’ll ride a day in their honor (includes mention on blog). Click HERE to learn more.
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A swig of orange Nehi and a tire repair
Ligonier, Indiana – Here’s my day: Saw some Amish in Ligonier. Asked a guy for nearest bike shop. He said “Goshen, five miles.”
Bought an orange Nehi before going five miles to Goshen.
On my way to Goshen via the old Lincoln Highway I found this piece of metal in the road and decided to remove it with my tire.
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| Matthew |
Matthew (right) at Lincoln Avenue Cycling, which was actually 15 miles to Goshen, helped fix me up with a new chain and rear cassette.
Making my way to South Bend and running into this.
WEEKLY RADIO UPDATE – LISTEN IN!
Another weekly update interview on The Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s with WBKV 1470’s Morning Show with host Bob Bonenfant.
Discussed total mileage so far, daily average, Father Doug, flat tires, gas prices, and rattlesnakes – oh my!
Click HERE to listen to the podcast!
RIDING IN TRIBUTE TO –
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| KATHRYN FURGER
NOTE: Want to pay tribute to your loved one?
I’ll ride a day in their honor (includes mention on blog). Click HERE to learn more.
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75 miles on Sunday – Smelling Wisconsin
Kendallville, Indiana – Long day on the road Sunday. Thought I’d be able to log 100 miles but Mother Nature made it a challenge.
Late start waiting for rain to quit and then got detoured finding my way out of Napoleon, no bicycles allowed on Route 6 bypass
Finally got my groove on – sunny skies, 83% humidity and 15-mile-an-hour headwinds.
Nice flat roads for the most part, decent shoulder along the side of the road and just crossed from Ohio into Indiana.
The Catholic Churches have been great about allowing me to stay the night – throw my sleeping bag down in their church hall and leave in the morning.
Many times it seems like they’re leaving the porch light on, just waiting for me to roll in.
Logged 75 miles on Sunday and landed in Kendallville. Hoping to cross into Illinois on Wednesday.
I can almost smell Wisconsin from here.
Dave and Dave
Napoleon, Ohio – morning started off with rain and an accidental activation of the security alarm at St. Augustine Catholic Church… But things are looking up thanks to Dave and Dave.
Met them at Frisch’s Big Boy during breakfast.
Dave (on the right) is the assistant women’s basketball coach at Defiance College. “Been there 26 years now,” he said.
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| Dave and Dave |
I mentioned UW-Green Bay’s team and Marquette. We swapped familiar names on the game.
As the fellas were leaving Dave laid a $20 on my table. “My mom suffered dementia before she died,” he said.
The Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is entering its final week. Details on how to support the cause are listed on the Cedar Community website HERE.
Thanks for all the generous support – it helps keep me going each day.
I’m in my element now with 71 miles on Friday, 64 miles on Saturday and looking to break 100 miles today.
Better get going!
Update on “The Sisters”
Decided to expand the story on my “Ohio Sisters” due to popular demand.
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| Sister Connie and Sister Pat |
Click HERE and scroll down to read more about this delightful duo and some snippets of their “out of convent” escapades!