Shipshewana - Round 2

I bumped into a friend from the past a few weeks ago at a bicycle ride coordinated through church. Dennis and I used to belong to the Driftwood Valley Wheelmen, a bicycle riding club here in Columbus. As we were catching up on the past 30 years of our lives, he mentioned the Amishland and Lakes Ride sponsored by the Michiana Bicycle Association and asked if I'd like to go. After dithering around, I decided it would be fun. I've recently resumed riding my bicycle so despite my inexperience, I thought I'd be able to complete the ride as the area is relatively flat with gently rolling hills.

We loaded up Friday morning and headed north for Howe, Indiana, headquarters for the ride. Also along on the ride were Patti (I knew her from working at Hospice) and her husband Rick, Dennis' brother David, Dan - another friend of Dennis' from St. Louis - and Don, another Columbus resident that I knew from the Driftwood Valley Wheelmen days.

David and Patti relaxing in preparation for Saturday's ride.

Dan, Rick Dennis and Don (behind Dennis' knee) with their beverage of choice.

We arrived in Howe, set up our campsites and headed out for a Friday evening ride. It was slightly cooler in northern Indiana but very humid so the 14 mile ride was quite enough. We found a restaurant in Howe and had a pleasant dinner.

Saturday morning arrived and we were ready to roll. The above photo was taken at a SAG stop ( I think) and David was ahead of us. From left to right: me, Dan, Rick Dennis, Don, Patti.

This SAG stop was at the LaGrange City Park. The SAGs had wonderful cookies, lots of fruit - blueberries, cantaloupe, watermelon, peaches and plums - along with peanut butter & jelly, gorp, gatorade and water. The SAG stops were well organized and placed frequently enough to allow adequate energy refueling.

Dennis getting ready to ride after lunch.

Saturday's route went through Shipshewana. We had lunch at the Garden Gate Cafe - a real treat. The food was excellent and the service was even better. But, I can't tell you how much it pained me to not even walk into Yoder's Department Store and look at the fabric. I didn't even make it to Lolly's! Oh, the withdrawal symptoms!!

The enticement of the day was the homemade ice cream at the end of the ride. This Amish couple had the one stroke engine churning the ice cream - raspberry and vanilla. Inside the dining hall was a quartet, the Goldmine Pickers, for entertainment. It was a wonderful way to end the day. Sunday morning found us back in the saddle, riding up towards Michigan and the lovely lakes that dot the countryside. We took a slightly shorter route and found more hills on the route than on Saturday. But the overcast skies and morning mists were a blessing.There were several picturesque churches on the ride but I found this one particularly appealing. It's actually the only photo I took on Sunday.

We completed the ride with just enough time to strike camp and pack the vehicles before the rains came. It rained most of the way back home; stopping somewhere around Indy. The fields in Bartholomew County looked even worse than when we left and the heat was oppressive.

It was a wonderful weekend of riding, friends and fun. Thanks, Dennis, for inviting me to join the group.

Cheers!

Margaret