Day Thirty Eight- The World is Flat

Day 38- (75 Miles)- Wednesday, July 25, 2007- Mt. Pleasant, MI to Birch Run, MI (635')

Ride Update: I have ridden 2,832 miles which is 88% of the total. I have 382 miles/5 days remaining.

In Tom Friedman's book, "The World is Flat" he talks about how the process off globalization is leveling the playing field between first world and second world countries, like India and China, allowing them to become serious players in global supply chains. When I say the world is flat, I mean that it's really flat. At least that's what I found today as we rode through central Michigan- there ain't a hill out there.

I find that in order for an area to be considered scenic, it's very tough to do that when things are flat. So, in my humble opinion, what we're dealing with here in good old central Michigan is an area that is the plain Jane of the ride across the US. Not butt ugly, but not much going for it either.

Today we covered about 75 miles and got a late start. I decided to accompany Gary today and tried to give him a hand easing back into riding. He bailed out yesterday after 30 miles and was diagnosed with some kind of asthma. Joel checked him out and wrote him a script for some kind of drug, which Gary took last night. He thought he was at about 80% today and he rode pretty well. We put the cruise control on a medium setting and really took our time, stopping for donuts in Alma, MI and again for sandwiches in some little burg at about 11:00AM. We stopped for water at about mile 62 and spent a half hour watching some ants deal with a WD-40 roadblock that Jim made. Wow- easily amused/distracted or what?

I still haven't recovered my chargers and cables, even though I called the hotel again. My friend Ralph recovered a lost article from the same hotel, so I know they can do it- but I don't think I talked to the same person and finding someone who gives a crap about solving somebody's problem is so hard to do.

Speaking of people who are incapable of doing the right thing- I am sure my email is hosed up agaim. I swear- when I get back I am changing email providers because HUGHES SUCKS.

Sorry to not have pictures again today- but that's the problem with losing those cables and not having a car to get new ones.