Monroeville Pavilion (July 14, 2012)

Sign in pavilion.

We arrived in Monroeville, IN around 1 PM and went to the city park.  At the park there is a pavilion which was being used for a family reunion that afternoon.  It is also the place where cyclists are welcome to spend the night free of charge.  The pavilion is equipped with a shower, towels and soap, a washer and dryer, and air conditioning.    We called Barb who came over and showed us around (even with the reunion going on) and gave us the key.  We made ourselves scarce by riding around town and resting in the park, not to disturb the reunion.

Warren and Pata

When late afternoon arrived most of the reunion goers had left and we went over to the pavilion.  We were met there by Warren, the other caretaker of the pavilion and the ambassador of cross-country cyclists. 

We entered the pavilion with him and found a group of people playing cards.  Monroeville is a small town and of course everyone knew Warren.  He introduced us and the card players offered us the leftover baked goods which we gladly ate. 

Warren showed us around the pavilion and gave us some history of the place.  They have been sheltering cyclists since the seventies and have records of all the cyclists who have passed through since the nineties.  There have been over 1500 of us, and the guest books show the appreciation of almost all who passed through.  He said that almost all fifty states are represented and fifteen or so international countries. 

Entries from the guest books.

More praise.

The two logs -- full of great comments.

After Warren departed, we showered, did laundry, and set up our mats on the floor, thankful for the air-conditioning on such a hot day. 

Although it was a bit odd to be sleeping in a pavilion, it was a wonderful place to stay.  The townspeople were all welcoming and Warren and Barb took good care of us.  They won Adventure Cycling’s June Curry award for hospitality in 2005 and we can understand why.  It’s a great idea and well executed as well.  

Sal (David's bike), Tina (Pata's bike) and Pata.