June 1 Day 10

"Pioneers! O Pioneers...Down the edges, through the passes, up the mountains steep, conquering, holding, daring, venturing as we go the unknown ways," Connor Yanz said quoting Walt Whitman as the team prepared to roll out from our stayover in Cadiz, Ohio. As soon as people hopped on their saddle, the effects of a nearly one-hundred-mile day began. If people were complaining about chafing before, surely they were crying today.Despite the low mileage of the day, a quick break was necessary. Shortly after mile 17, Lake Piedmont caught our attention. Bikes were thrown, shirts were stripped and the sound of I4K riders singing "Baby Shark" could be heard throughout the lake.Ever since Cristian taught the team this catchy tune,riders have been adding and singing this song to get them through the day's toughest climbs. Although the regular song involves a family of sharks that somehow end up having a human meal.This song was especially needed today since, to our surprise, Ohio was not yet flat. After Pennsylvania's constant climbs, the team was more than ready for the miles and miles of corn and corn.Along came lunch time and the intesne heat made the team want the next stop even more--PB and J's have never tasted so good. Somehow, someway, the ride leaders manage to make them taste even better with every passing day. Amish peanut butter, grape jelly, on a hamburger bun? YUM! Best sandwich in the world--for some. Others instead had homemade biscotti; again, for some. At this point, the milage seemed to get longer and not even food was worth the distance. Rest stops and water breaks were a must and the hills just kept going. Some teams really enjoyed this day but others could not wait for the sun to set. One thing was certain, today was nowhere near as hot and humid as the day before. Our tan lines are becoming more noticeable but they are still not permanent. By the end of the ride, however, with this heat, they might be.