July 24, 2024 – Kicked Out and Onward to Shoals

    Welp, I was kicked out of the park in Madison around 4:00am in the morning. A police officer woke me up and gave me the boot. No one is allowed to stay the night in any public park in Madison. I imagine that is how it is anywhere. So, I headed west bound out of Madison in the middle of the night. I hope this isn't a prelude of what's to come in Indiana. It was too dark to ride on the river road, and believe it or not, there was a lot of traffic on the road this early morning. So, I pulled off the road, and laid down on some gravel until the sun rose up. Then, I had a terrifying ride into Hanover, IN. I almost got hit by a box truck. He couldn't have passed more than a foot away from me. I made it to a McDonald's for breakfast, and that is when I decided to cut straight across Indiana and Illinois to the start of the official Lewis and Clark Trail. I've had little luck with the Ohio River Scenic Byway. I'm tired of the traffic and the close calls. I rode out of Hanover after breakfast and rode thru rural farmland, Indiana hills, and patches of forest to Scottsburg, IN. In Scottsburg, I went to the local library, and I have started my routine. I shall ride in the morning from 7:00-11:30am. Then, I will take a break at a town library or restaurant, fast food joint, or convenient store from 11:30am-4:00pm. Afterwards, I will embark on an evening ride from 4:00pm-7:30pm. This will give me eight riding hours per day and help me beat the heat during the mid-day hours. During my break time, I will eat lunch and work on my writings (journal entries and The Acts musical).

    After writing, I walked around the Scottsburg square, shot some photos, went to Taco Bell for lunch, and then departed out of town on low-traffic back roads. I rode for the remainder of my evening ride and ended up about 11 miles east of Campbellsburg, IN. I camped at the top of a hill on Nubian Road at the foundation slab of an old burnt down home. I slept on the slab, and I slept pretty good believe it or not. At least there were no policeman to give me trouble. Before retiring for the night, I started a fire and cooked some Top Ramen with chicken. It was a very tasty meal and held me over until breakfast break the following day.

    In the morning, I awoke, and rode the rest of the way into Campbellsburg. I stopped at a local convenient store, bought two bacon and egg sandwiches, two bottles of Gatorade, and a Monster Khaotic tropical orange drink for nearly $20. Can you say inflation! These convenient stores are taking me to the cleaners. Although they are teaching me how to be less stingy with my money. After eating and charging my phone, I headed back out into rural farmland via back country roads; cornfields and soy bean fields as far as the eye can see. From Campbellsburg, I went to Orleans. I took off a few hours there for my daily routine. I went to the library, and I was welcomed by a very cute librarian. I sat down at one of the finely crafted tables and wrote in my journal. After writing, I ate some chicken tenders and potato wedges from the local Marathon gas station. Also, I took a few photos of interesting murals, buildings, and things that caught my eye.

    I left Orleans, battling the Indiana hill country and a very sore butt. I believe my padded bicycle shorts are rubbing my butt raw. My butt really hurts while riding, but I will do my best to keep pedaling forward. I stopped for the night in Shoals. There are light evening rain showers as I write this under a shelter at the Shoals Christian Church. I will sleep here for the night. I hope to make it to the Illinois border tomorrow.