Bikers enjoy their stay in area on their way to San Francisco

Contributed photo BIKERS IN THE CORN: Three members of the Bike & Build tour from Providence, R.I., to San Francisco traveled through Greene County on Tuesday and spent the night in Linton. Above, three of the riders pose in a cornfield in Ohio. Thirty-one riders left Linton for Effingham, Ill., on Wednesday morning.

Sometimes the simplest thing can help get your day started on a positive note.

Such was the case when I walked to get my morning coffee Wednesday. It can take five minutes or 20, depending on who I run into along the way or inside.

That's OK, because I usually get some good information about what's happening around the area.

This day was no different. The two people I met inside the coffee shop weren't from this area or even Indiana. They were from the East Coast.

They were two of 31 cyclists with the Bike & Build program. They're riding their bikes from Providence, R.I., to San Francisco to raise money to help with many building projects around the country.

Linton was the ending point for Day 18, which started in Bedford.

There are six other routes bikers are taking to raise money.

The two cyclists I met -- Amy Linn and Sarah Huebscher -- were the final two to leave Linton. They had heard about the coffee shop while eating pizza the night before.

"We had to check it out before we left," Linn said.

The cyclists spent the night at Saron United Church of Christ, and spoke highly of the Rev. Mike Roth and his church members. If you remember, Roth is one of the local cyclists who has taken part in the Indiana bike ride to help raise money for Habitat for Humanity.

Roth said this is the third year the Bike & Build riders have come through Linton.

"I think they felt Linton was very warm and welcoming. Obviously it's a place they've enjoyed coming to, because this is the third year they've intentionally come through our county," Roth explained.

Roth added that each rider must raise $4,000 minimum to participate in the trip.

According to the Bike & Building Web site:

"Bike & Build is pedaling to end poverty housing. Through fundraising cycling trips, Bike & Build raises money for and awareness of affordable housing efforts. Our events act as a catalyst to build homes, foster the spirit of service, and empower young adults ... mile by mile, house by house."

Linn apologized for not having time to do a full interview. She did suggest that I go to bikeandbuild.org to learn more about the trip, and she said it was OK to use photos and bloggers' information for a story.

Brent Finklea, a college student, wrote this in his blog Tuesday:

"Day 18 -- Linton, IN -- 46 miles. Another short day was enjoyed by the riders this morning. We were able to wake up late (6 a.m.) and enjoy an enormous breakfast courtesy of the Baptist church congregation. The ride was quick and without issues, most riders arriving around noon at the host for the evening. Linton is a small town but large enough to be 'Wal-Mart worthy' so we have spent most of the remaining day exploring. Word on the street is that the Colts football team may be making a guest appearance at the Freedom Festival that is going on. Not sure what the festival is all about, but I will assume the approaching Fourth of July holiday. More word on these exciting events if I make it out of the library before the dinner bell is rung, but for now I am camped out working on grad school applications. Fun."

Samantha LePiccier had this to say about her journey from Bedford to Linton on her blog:

"Today was an excellent ride because it was very short and allowed the group to take our time and have lots of time once we reached the host. I believe the total mileage was 45 miles. The ride was pretty much rolling hills with an occasional flat spot. We were desperately looking for a swimming hole or quarry to swim in but were unable to find one safe to swim in. Apparently Bedford was the place that mined the limestone for buildings in many major cities including New York and Chicago. The Pentagon was even made out of the limestone from the area.

"... When we arrived in Linton we found that our church was awesome because of the movie theatre in the basement. Some people watched movies but I decided to go to the local pool where we luckily got in for free. We had fun jumping off the high dive and soaring through the water slide. We all looked pretty ridiculous because of our defined biker tans which actually look very redneck. We were getting a lot of stares. By coincidence the Colts were in the park we were at signing autographs so we got a good look at them but to get autographs the line was about a mile long. The pool was great and I was happy to be able to enjoy the day! Illinois tomorrow!"

Samantha is from Willamstown, Mass.

Elizabeth Mo, a student from Easton, Conn., had this to say on her blog:

"We got into Indiana yesterday and so far I am enjoying its relatively flat terrain and giant wheat fields. Apparently, people in Indiana also like to steal street signs to hang in their barns and the state just got tired of replacing them ... so for us cyclists trying to get to Bedford, we had to rely on the kindness of the few passerbys. We would come to a four-way and there would be the pole, but with nothing on it. We also learned that people around here where there are no street signs rely on directions like, 'Right at the field, over the railroad tracks, you'll come to a river ... go over the bridge and the road will fork. You want the left fork.' 'Uh, OK' and then we would forget and have to ask some person sitting on their porch with the meanest looking dog in the world. I've noticed that when I talk to people with accents I acquire a twang for the duration that I'm talking to them.

"I am constantly surprised by the generosity of people. Today, a few of us were in the post office of Linton, IN and a man just gave us a twenty towards our cause. It was pretty awesome. The food we get donated is also amazing. Last night we had tacos at the church and they had everything from the rice and the guac and the sour cream. Amazing. I also learned what a Hoosier is. Or rather how it was derived. It's what people in Indiana would shout in the fields when they saw a visitor approaching. It's supposed to sound like 'Who's there?'

"I just realized I've been sitting in this library fiddling with the Internet and I'm still wearing my helmet. Awesome job, Mo.

"We did 45 miles today which is like a break for us. Tomorrow is 75 miles to Illinois and into a new time zone."

The bikers left Linton for Effingham, Ill., where they were scheduled to spend the night.

The two I met were nice and polite, and very thankful for Linton's hospitality.

Their story helped brighten my day.

Chris is the general manager/editor for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487 or by e-mail at cpruett79@hotmail.com