Bike Odyssey 2014 – Day 48 (July 4) – Parting of the ways

Sadly, our final breakfast together – since Joe headed off this afternoon to visit family in Toronto. So much to remember, of our trip of a lifetime! Joe left me watching Brazil vs. Colombia in an Irish pub in Indianapolis. A wise move on his part. I watched, in disbelief, the worst 45 minutes of football I can recall. 22 men scratching, pulling, tripping – barely 20 seconds between free kicks. This disgrace was hailed as open and entertaining by the commentators, who are no less to blame for the collapse of the ‘beautiful game’ than the players, coaches, and fans. The second division footballers I played alongside 50 years ago in Switzerland could never have allowed themselves to present this lame display without one single piece of ‘football magic.’ (Maybe Brazil’s 2nd goal in the second half provided at least one such.) I could never have imagined that I would ever walk out on a Brazil World Cup match, let alone devoutly hope that Brazil would be soundly beaten (Colombia were no better) in the next round – and for the sake of the game!! Watch old World Cup film if you wonder why. 220 miles into a sunlit biking day, I reached Dayton, Ohio, and – as those who followed our earlier updates will know – the sign that means…home. Tomorrow more photos – new ones – from the Great Serpent Mound, final leg of my triple pilgrimage to the heart of America.