Some days on I4K give us a lot to see and do. Others allow us to make their own fun given a lack of outside interest. This was an example of the second type of day: a long 78-mile route that mainly consisted of navigating west from place to place surrounded by fields and small patches of forest. Indiana is definitely a “bumpy” state, both in terms of the road quality itself as well as the hills that aren’t quite there yet but still require a climbing mindset on the bike. The team is now in Logansport, just a few miles west of U.S. 31, the northern “spoke” road that leads to Indianapolis. We have two more stops in Indiana before reaching Champaign-Urbana: Lafayette and Rockville.

Ride Overview

Mileage: 78.2

Elevation: +1987’/-2156’

General Direction: Proceed southwest through residential areas of western Fort Wayne, follow U.S. 24 on frontage roads to the town of Huntington (mile 21), take country roads WSW and west for the remainder, passing through towns of Andrews, Wabash, and Logansport, turn left on 3rd Street to cross the Wabash River to the stayover.

Points of Interest: Wabash City Courthouse and Lincoln Monument, Wabash River

Tales of the Trail

Deer, peacocks, cats, cows, horses, alpacas, dogs, vultures. All in one day and plenty of each. Being able to see so many animals and be in the same environment as all of the wildlife is definitely part of what makes cycling so cool. Today’s route was very rural and gave the team the chance to talk, sing, and just watch the fields go by (when not looking for potholes of course). The heat was definitely a considerable factor, but that didn't stop us from riding through Indiana’s agriculturally dense middle.

Tonight we are staying at the Church of Christ at Logansport. The team enjoyed a donated meal from La Fiesta (thanks again Jaylen!), showered at the local YMCA, and enjoyed some reallyyy good ice cream from Wally and Olly’s. Tomorrow will be easier on the mileage as we enter Lafayette, tucked right next to our long time rival school: Purdue.

Cyclist’s Corner

Today’s Rider: Laurel Racette

How are you today? I’m feeling good! There’s not that many feelings to have after biking 78 miles, but I’m definitely feeling accomplished.

What make and model of bicycle are you riding? A dark blue 2019 Felt VR60. I bought it from a past rider.

What is your favorite aspect about the ride so far? Why is it your favorite? My teammates. Their energy gives me energy and without their support and sympathy, I couldn’t have gotten this far. It’s a group where you can be vulnerable and entirely yourself at the same time.

How much cycling did you do before training for I4K specifically? Not much. I used to bike around the neighborhood with my neighbors and would occasionally join my dad for a ten-mile ride. Other than that, except for spin bikes, I started biking during our spring training.

Is there anyone you are riding for today and would like to share a few words for? My hometown is downwind of a medical sterilizing plant that has been releasing ethylene oxide (EtO), a carcinogen, for decades and this has caused many in the area to develop rare forms of cancer. I am also doing the ride for my dad.

Where on today’s route (generally or specific mile marker) was the most memorable for you? What happened? At mile marker 42, I got my eighth flat of the ride. What was memorable about it is that now I am a pro at fixing flats, but this time the valve got stuck in the pump and we had to free it which just added to the frustration and the process.

Anything you’d like to say to those cheering you on? Thank you for your support! It means a lot and I love the words of encouragement you send me, so keep them coming!

Please visit the rider profiles page on the website to learn more about this year’s riders! :)