Day 3: Crawfordsville, IN to Bloomington, IN [83 miles]

In a room at the Super 8, Crawfordsville, IN

I've been asked by my mom at least five times whether I planned to wear a helmet on the trip. Not only do I wear a helmet while riding, I put the helmet on the moment I get out of bed.

On US 231, Crawfordsville, IN

I had written emails to at least three people the previous night saying how smoothly things were going, and that I had had no flat tires. One and a half miles from the hotel, I heard the sickening hiss of a punctured tube.

On US 231, Crawfordsville, IN

It didn't take long to identify the cause of the flat: an inch-long, hook-shaped shard of glass.

On US 231 north of Raccoon, IN

At English's Buffalo Farm on US 231, Bainbridge, IN

The motto of English's Buffalo Farm is "From Our Gate to Your Plate."

On US 231 north of Brick Chapel, IN

In the early afternoon I crossed over the "seam" in my map of Indiana. I had a second flat tire minutes after taking this photo.

In front of the Putnam County Courthouse, Greencastle, IN

I had my third flat tire a couple of miles north of Greencastle. After vigorous pumping, I realized my tire pump was broken. Also I remembered that I had left my backup CO2 cartridges on my kitchen counter. I rode the remaining stretch into town on my rims.

On US 231 south of Carp, IN

At the intersection of US 231 and Route 46, Spencer, IN

At this intersection, my route linked up with that of a previous cross-country trip. When I rode through Spencer ten years ago, there was a Burger King where the McDonald's now stands. I clearly remember the night: after eating a Whopper, I mounted a flashlight to my front fork using electrical tape. I was really looking forward to having another Whopper.

At the intersection of US 231 and Route 46, Spencer, IN

Then I remembered the McRib was back.

On Route 46 north of Bloomington, IN

I had my fourth flat of the day and considered coasting the last two miles into town on my rims, but thought better of it.

In front of Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN

After renovations are complete, the football stadium will seat an astounding 53,500 people.

Near Assembly Hall, Bloomington, IN

John Mellencamp donated seed capital to construct an indoor sports facility for football, baseball, and soccer practice.

On the corner of College Avenue and Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN

I had a dinner of mutton pie and a pint of Guinness at the Irish Lion.