Great Ride! Great Weekend!
I cannot even tell you how many TAB riders showed up for this ride, but let me tell you, we were a contigent! Some of us camped, some of us took the motel route.
Howe Military School (Indiana) was an ideal stating location for this ride! Most of us showed up late Friday afternoon to evening. There is a ride Friday late afternnoon, but who gets there that early? Hubert met me at my house at 3:30 and we got to Howe by about 6:00 (I of course had to feed Hubert before leaving and I hadn't packed yet).
Saturday morning came and those of us camping partook in wonderful bluberry pankcakes and sausages on the grill compliments of Mary and Ken South and Laura. Well fortified, we took off for a wonderful ride through Amishland. The rest stops were so-so, but if you did not stop for the food offered for sale by Amish families along the route, oh well, you missed out. Pumpkin bars sold by the cutest Amish kids on the planet, Root beer floats, and hot, homemade soft pretzels. Gee, who needs peanut butter sandwiches, hard peaches, and store bought cookies? Advice, skip the rest stops except for the port-a-potties, and go for the Amish food.
Although you must avoid the road apples, the roads were generally in good condition. One great downhill on Saturday! Saturday must be date day for the Amish. There were so many buggies with young couples! Ron Toneff stopped at the Steam thresher exhibition (well worth it by his account). We also saw an Amish funeral procession. So many buggies, everyone dressed in Sunday best. If it had been in our area, there would have been police stopping the traffic to let the procession through.
Sunday took us into Michigan. This is the lakes part of the tour. The lakes are glacailly derived. Most of the ponds and lakes were kettle holes within a glacial morraine area. Lots of hills, but all were managable (even for me). The scenery is beautiful with rolling hills and sparkling lakes. Also, if one uses one's peripheral vision, you would have seen gladiolus fields. Actually, if you want lots of rollers, look for areas of glacial terrain (such as in Michigan, parts of Ohio, Illinois and Iowa). The hills tend to be of low grade and hummocky.
Anyway, this is a ride to be recommended! I would absolutely do it again. But next time, I would remember to bring my camera.
Happy Trails!
Sue