Today I rode a route I used to go on regularly but have not for maybe a year. During this time I noticed a few changes. While the Huffman-Cleveland Road used to be very lightly traveled today there was more traffic. Before I never saw other bikers because they tend to ride west of US59. Today I had two riders riding past me in Plum Grove. In Plum Grove I stopped at the Sallas Grocery (now closed) to rest on the bench out front. Sweat was pouring and I almost left a puddle.

A question that my wife and I ask during the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France is how do people make a living in the tiny remote towns the routes go through. The question came to mind as I watch the traffic go through Plum Grove. Across the street a man was raking grass but no one else was around. The three Plum Grove fire trucks set on a slab with no building and a portable building next to them as the office. As far as I can tell there is no businesses in Plum Grove. I am not picking on Plum Grove but thinking of it as a representative of small towns.

I got an early start (7:10 AM) before the heat really kicked in. When I got home the temperature was 91 and the breeze was a gentle 6 mph. Blue skies continue to rule. No incidents this week so the ride went well. Looks like I am moving towards my goals for the month: 600 miles and YTD 3100 miles.

Today’s ride statistics:

• miles = 53.27
• riding time 3:29:16
• average pace = 3:56 min/mile
• average speed = 15.3 mph
• max speed = 22.0 mph
• average cadence = 79.4 rpm
• max cadence = 101 rpm
• climb 251 ft., descend 188 ft., max elevation 126 ft.
• July miles 305.79
• YTD miles 2872.45

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