Joe James and John Hay, Jr drove to Mahamet, Illinois on May 13 to join Bob Yardy for a 63-mile (100-kilometer) bike ride. This is the number of miles we plan to ride each day while in India. We had hoped May weather would be fair. But this day brought rain and temperatures in the mid-40 degrees (Fahrenheit). Our feet and hands were numb by the midway point of the ride. It was so cold! It won't be like that in India. Temperatures in January in India are routinely above 85 degrees Fahrenheit; it may be hotter in the southern part of India, where we will begin.While we were cold during the ride, we rode well together. We plan to ride together for a week in July. We will join a Champaign, Illinois youth group that will ride across the Upper Penninsula of Michigan. We will ride at least 100 kilmeters each day. It is important that we train together. It helps us become more aware of each other's manner of bike riding. It also gets us better acquainted with each other before the "real thing" in India. Getting along well on the road and off the bikes is important since we will be spending six weeks on the road together in India.
