ELKHART —
Kirk Alliman said his recent 283-mile bicycle journey “seemed like a good idea at the time.”
Alliman, a 69-year-old from Louisville, Ky., left his home Monday to ride to Goshen for the Pumpkinvine Bike Ride on Saturday.
“I’m a totally recreational bike rider,” he said at June and John Yoder’s home in Goshen. June is Alliman’s sister. “I started with long trips in high school.”
The idea for the trip began when Alliman had a hip replacement operation in January. He said he distantly set riding to Goshen for the Pumpkinvine Ride as a goal.
“It was always the goal early on,” he said. “It helped me keep on track with my recovery.”
His 283-mile ride was split into three and a half days, he said. He covered 112 miles on the first day, 65 miles on the second, 70 miles on the third and the remaining 36 miles on Thursday morning.
“Tuesday was the hardest day,” he said. “I ran into some fierce headwinds.”
Other problems encounter were sore legs and a sore posterior — despite special biking shorts, a gel bike seat and special soothing cream. Even with the discomfort, though, Alliman said he had fun on the trip.
“I take spin classes three days a week, and I do long day trips in the hills of Kentucky,” he said. “I do it by myself, and I appreciate the solitude. I enjoy nature, and I love the sights and smells.”
Alliman said he makes an effort to stop in local cafes and diners when he breaks for meals, and he aims to stay at small family-owned hotels and inns during the night.
“I enjoy the camaraderie in small cafes,” he said.
However, this trip he said he learned firsthand what the economy was doing to small town America when he rode into a small town in southern Indiana and found both hotels closed, and not another hotel for around 20 miles.
“I stopped because my legs were tired and I couldn’t go any further,” he said. “I went to the police station to ask for advice and directions, but they said there were no close hotels. One of them then said that several local churches ran a shelter for the needy and homeless.”
After a night spent at the homeless shelter, which he said he has never been more thankful for, he started his day with a donation to the organization and a thanks to the staff.
Not one to rest, Alliman will be biking tonight for the Amish dinner ride, and he will bike 60 miles in Saturday’s ride.
“I wouldn’t make all of the effort if not for the ride,” he said. “It’s beautiful, and so well organized. It’s worth 283 miles to get there.”
The Pumpkinvine Bike Ride is open to the public, and people can register even on the day of the ride at the starting sites, according to John Yoder, who helped found the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail.
“It’s something we’ve dreamed about for many years,” he said. “This is the 13th annual ride.”
Alliman said the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail is one of the most beautiful trails he’s seen in the region.
“It’s so unique,” he said. “All of the sights you see along the trail — it’s quite an experience.”
Alliman will depart for home Sunday, though he will not push himself as hard as he did to get up to Goshen.
“I was worried I wouldn’t make it in time,” he said. “I’ll take four full days to get home — that’s about 70 miles a day.”
Taking country roads and asking farmers for directions, Alliman said he loves the scenic route.
“I enjoy the challenge of biking for several days,” he said. “I always take a route that’s very enjoyable.”
Breaking News
Related Photos
-
Kirk Alliman, of Louisville, Kent., rides his bike near his sister and brother-in-law's home in Goshen. SAM HOUSEHOLDER | THE GOSHEN NEWS
Louisville resident makes bike trek for Pumpkinvine ride
- Breaking News
-
-
'Experience Michiana' segments to be taped in Goshen
The crew with WNIT program “Experience Michiana” is set to tape segments in Goshen this week. The segments will be broadcast June 27 and 28.
-
State officials warn people to be alert at fairs, festivals
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and state police are reminding state residents to be alert for safety concerns when attending county fairs and other local festivals.
-
Goshen officials donate former Hawks Building to LaCasa
An agreement between Goshen city government and LaCasa Inc. allowing for the donation of the former Hawks Building to the local non-profit was approved Monday.
-
How to monitor a Facebook Page while out of the office
With the popularity of social media soaring by the day, it is important for online marketers to keep their Facebook page updated regularly, and monitor it daily to answer comments and questions that fans post.
-
GROUNDS FOR INSANITY: In need of a support group — or several
It’s an idea whose time has come. Actually, the country’s been ripe for it since the oil crisis of the Carter administration, but I was young then and hadn’t twigged to it yet.
-
Rocket Science gains some national exposure
NAPPANEE — Things were buzzing at Rocket Science Ice Cream Shop on a recent Friday when camera crews from The Food Network and The Cooking Channel arrived at the shop inside Coppes Commons.
-
Fabric repurposed for medical uses at local nursing home
NAPPANEE - One person’s trash is another’s treasure, the old saying goes. For a group of women at a nursing home in Nappanee, that saying has never been more true.
-
Welcome back, Inn: Oakwood Reopens
SYRACUSE — After five years of uncertainty, the Oakwood Resort on Lake Wawasee checked in its first guests under new ownership last week.
-
Christian music festival returns to Nappanee
NAPPANEE — For the second year in a row, Amish Acres is the host site for WFRN Radio’s Friend Fest, scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
-
Car dealers’ delight
GOSHEN - Auto sales are going up nationwide and Elkhart County dealers are part of that rebound.
- More Breaking News Headlines
-
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
NYC 911 Call Lasts for 8 Hours
Obama: US Has Helped Syrian Rebels
Afghan Forces Take Afghanistan Security Lead
Raw: 100K Protesters Flood Brazilian Streets
California Cops Cruise on Stand-up Paddle Patrol
Transgender Candidate Running in NYC
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA
Feds: 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants
Fla. Teen Catches Ride With Whale Shark
Iran's Rowhani Urges 'Path of Moderation'
Investigators Probe Origin of Colo. Wildfire
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
Family Tweets Say Kim Kardashian Gives Birth
