My morning routine is getting better. Sean gave me a pointer about packing up all my stuff the night before and I'm glad that that whole process is becoming less of an issue in this trip. Also if you think about it, in our worlds of cradled stability, its just really cool to be able to pack and unpack your entire belongings every single day.
The morning started out with a 17 mile coffee break at this cute little town at a place called Lock and Key. It was an old bank with the vault still intact(so cool!) that was this super fair trade, sustainable, homey shop. At 8:30am i proceeded to have a Strawberry milkshake. Still can't figure out whether i should be concerned about that.
We were on a main road pretty much all day so while there were way more towns and things to see along the way, the traffic was pretty heavy for the first part of the day. During the last few miles as we approached Downtown Louisville during rush hour it was pretty uncomfortable riding. For all those NYCers, it was basically the equivalent of riding on Northern Blvd due west.
While we are all very conscious of being to the side of the road, almost everyone had cars honking at them angrily all morning. Highlight: At one point this car in the opposite lane was driving by and this typical middle aged lady sticks her head out of the window and yells "YOU GUYS ARE NUTS" at the top of her lungs with a healthy dose of condescension. We all couldn't help but laugh and get pumped up by it. We're glad to know that its not just us who think we're crazy.
Early in the day we saw a llama! Despite my best efforts i couldnt get it to run with me but still, it was a llama! in the middle of kentucky! so cool. There was also yet another tin man that Jenny and I came across along with the rusted frame of an old ATV. Andy by these two things i mean the perfect photo op.
The riding was a bit more hilly than yesterday but you could tell that people were starting to get used to 86 mile rides as just another day in the life which is good news. What people are not quite used to is the heat of which there was much of. I heard rumors that it had reached above 90+ at some points. You actually feel it less when cycling than when walking due to the breeze but when we were stopped at traffic lights around 4pm we may as well have been in a sauna wrapped in sweaters.
Passing through Frankfort was sorta cool. We got to promontory with a good view of the capital. Just that one hill sent tingling memories of West Virginia. It's always funny i thought how state capitals aren't necessarily that state's most prestigious and funnest cities. It's almost like governance is boring or something.
Since today was our night off we had also decided for it to be Bike and Buiild Prom, aka find the craziest clothes you can at thrift stores and wear them out. Colin, Carlos and I legit crossed six lanes of traffic to get to a goodwill. I was able to snag basically a pair of red polyester genie pants. Note i actually realized that there were some really decent clothes in the store that were simple and modest. There was even this awesome abercrombie and fitch jean jacket that i totally would've nabbed had the size been right.
Near us i realized there was a normal looking couple who had been invited to a wedding and were looking for appropriate clothes. I could've very well imagined seeing them in a Macy's yet they were looking amongst the $3 rack. There was also one of those sweet acrylic back massage things that i think will be put to very good use on this trip. To be totally honest, i felt really slapped in the face when i realized that this very respectable couple along with others in the store were looking for actual clothes while i was just looking for silly garments for a party. It was just kind of humbling in a big sense to realize concretely the way different people treat resources differently according to their situations. I don't think this necessarily registers with us as we so often get caught up in our own universe of possibilities, without the ability to get a fresh perspective.
Some highlights from the night's costumes included reversible leather-leapord skin jackets, a victorian dress, a 70's jumpsuit and all other types of silliness. We all went out to the main commercial nightlife strip of Louisville which was very Times Square-esque. They even somehow had an air conditioned street for one block! These commercial stores were so gimmicky and we soon left to a more local joint. But not before finding out that there is a free MSTRKRFT concert there tomorrow night. My whole face and personality blew up the moment this guy told me about it. I haven't been to a concert in so long, let alone an awesome electronica one that i know will be great. I was and am so so pumped. I've been especially bummed since this trip won't let me see Depeche Mode's tour this summer.
Tomorrow's our first day off which means we do whatever we want. We wake up and go whenever and wherever. I'd like to hit up the Louisville slugger museum and check out some really cool streets that i was recommended. I love exploring new cities, hope it delivers.
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