John and I went on the annual Tour de Shore bike ride with Mike and Andrea this weekend.
As usual the ride was a great time! First, let’s look at an overview using the route tracking software that John has on his bike. The ride started at Millennium Park around 7:30am.
Some highlights along the way included a pancake breakfast at Wolf Lake (note the little spur just above the N in the word Dolton on the map.) The pancakes were poured, flipped and served at high speed – we had to catch them on our plates! And these mr potatohead guys were very charming.
The next highlight/lowlight was when my glasses case worked its way out of my backpack while I was crossing a bridge at Hammond and fell into a busy street. One car drove to the side of the case, then another drove right over it but straddled, and then I was able to dash out and retrieve the glasses. Not a scratch on me or the glasses! Phew!
We rode for a good while and at the second snack stop (peanut butter sandwiches) we assessed the rest of the route. Due to some bike issues we decided that Mike, Andrea and I would cycle to Hobart, John would proceed to the end of the route at Dune Park train station alone and get Mike’s truck, and then John would drive back to Hobart and pick us up. Thanks, John! Here’s the Bike Barn in Hobart, Indiana, with one of those funny yellow tube guys dancing nearby.
After some much needed showers in Mike and Andrea’s delightful outdoor shower, we had a beer from the local 18th Street Brewery and then went to the Captain’s Place restaurant in Miller for dinner. They specialize in lobster rolls, which were really delicious.
We then went for a drink at another local place and on the way home saw these super charming “Hoosier Homes,” a local architectural style. They are unique to the northern Indiana area. I’d love to see inside one! They are striking in having large, off-center chimneys made of stone, pitched but asymmetrical rooflines, and many had carports but a lot of those have been made into enclosed rooms. Because of winter, I guess!
Readers who have enjoyed summer recreation in Chicago will be familiar with the “bags” setup below (aka cornhole or beanbag toss). Maddie King painted this set – very nice! And I like the promotion of a Sherwin-Williams product, Minwax, in the picture!
Looks like lots of fun (altho the glasses incident doesn’t sound as good). So I gather it was an organised event with food stops set out along the way? Very cool!
Yes, it’s actually a charity event for a local arts center. We need to up our fundraising game on future rides!
Oh and re the enclosed car ports, we have a lot of enclosed balconies in Sydney, thereafter known as sun rooms!
Looks like a great trip. Cool route-tracking app on John’s bike! Glad you recovered your glasses. The food looks great, including the cute pancakes!