Despite the constant 10:30 direction headwind, it was another day we dodged bad weather and enjoyed a 70 degrees sunny bike ride. I rode with Jake (Vero Beach) and Bart (Netherlands) mos of the day....except when I had my first flat back tire in more than a week at around mile 10. Fortunately Pam and Judy (two of the 4 AbB support staff) were right behind me and my flat was fixed in 10 minutes. But 10 minutes is around 3 miles....and I had some hard riding o catch Jake and Bart. Our first SAG stop was at mile 41....and I caught Jake about a half mile before the SAG....and Bart was already enjoying bananas and a chocolate milk when Jake and I arrived. After the SAG, Jake, Bart and I continued to ride together to Lunch at mile 66. After lunch, Mark (from Liverpool) and David (from Netherlands) joined us and we had this complicated 5 person pace line due to the 10:30 direction head wind. Rather than riding directly behind the person in front in order to use their slip stream (and save up to 30% of energy), due to the cross wind, we had to ride in a slanted line (called an echelon) to get the most protection from the wind. But the road had a narrow shoulder which meant we could ride only to abreast. To shorten this....the cross wind was an annoyance but our international cycling group made it to the hotel! At the hotel, I had two fans awaiting my arrival. My brother and his wife (Dick and Phyllis) drove 200 miles from Loogootee, IN to be in Springfield to see this unusual outfit I am a part of. Very nice of them to make the long trip and lift my spirits! Tomorrow is our 2nd rest day. We have ridden now for 12 straight days. I very much hope I can sleep in tomorrow and not wake up at my usual 5:00am. Only 12 riding days left until we see the Atlantic Ocean!