Todays Distance: 101 miles
Cycling time: 6 hrs 34 mins
Average Speed: 15.3 mph
Today’s cumulative ascent: 1757 ft
Average Heart rate: 119 bpm
Distance so far: 2614 miles
Ascent so far: 86,285 ft.
Centuries so far: 8
Punctures so far: 6
Today’s Profile:
Centuries so far: 8
Punctures so far: 6
Today’s Profile:
Today’s Route:
Dedication: Today I cycled for Marius, Ayzul, Sagreeta and Tony and all the children especially those who have not met Abbey students yet.Lovely weather again today and not a rolling hill in sight. Although we gained altitude it was so so gradual. Another century and finished with an extravagant celebration.
As the sun rose on Springfield the morning after the Independence Day celebrations, we trooped to Bob Evans for a hot breakfast before today’s cycle. It was either oatmeal or a fry…pity it couldn’t have been both for the perfect start.
The iconic Route 66 passed through Springfield as it threaded its way across 8 states from Chicago to Santa Monica in California. It was a symbol of freedom and the American Dream. Established in 1926 it was decommissioned from the highway system in 1985. Parts of the original concrete paving remains in places and tourists still follow the route as much as is practicable.
Small towns and stations trade on its popularity. During my visit to Tipperary, Missouri, Rick Stanford showed me the 1960 Corvette he is restoring with a view to driving from Chicago to the pier in Santa Monica. We wish him the best and safe driving.
We left directly after loading and headed out by Lake Springfield, a man-made lake and owned by one of the public utility companies. Already a number of anglers were out for a Saturday morning spot of fishing and gave us a wave.
Within a few miles we faced into a very recently removed bridge. A detour was suggested by passers-by but a more direct approach seemed more attractive. It did mean hauling the bikes through the soft mud but it was a novelty on a day that we knew would present very little in scenic terms.
After crossing Gary and I set off together as arranged and we kept up a strong pace passing through never-ending fields of corn with some soya beans thrown in. This is very fertile countryside for both crops. We alternated taking the front though there was very little wind. In still air it is reckoned that the one behind uses 1% less energy for each mph. In no time at all we arrived at the first SAG in the Lincoln Trail Mmorial Park on the banks of the Sangamon River at the 31 mile mark. Nearly a third of the way.
Shortly after the SAG a group of about 8 riders caught up and we were asked to join in to benefit from the paceline set-up. It did make a mighty difference. Previously Gary and I had been making very good progress at 15.5 mph and alternating at the front. When we joined into the larger group and drafted, with actually less energy being expended we moved along at 17.5 mph. I hadn’t ridden in a paceline since the year I rode with the Carrick Touring Club and had forgotten the benefit. Today I cycled 40 miles with that group keeping up the pace and savoured it. The miles were clocking up on the odometer with great speed.
The group kept well together also after the second SAG and with the 80 mile mark approaching all seemed well.At that stage one rider moved to the front and upped the pace for some unknown reason. The others in the front didn’t want to let him go and followed. Sounds like a race! This was up a grade for me. A gap gradually opened and two of us began to drift. I kept turning them hard for the next seven miles trying to bridge that gap. At times I seemed to be making headway but eventually I decided to let them go and to follow a more relaxed pace for the last 10 miles and look for a few photo moments. I really enjoyed life in the paceline. I found those miles between 40 and 80 passed so quickly and enjoyably without fierce pressure. Pace was about 17 to 18 mph and just normal concentration was required. Unrelated to the paceline, one rider fell today and broke his collarbone and must return home for surgery. None of us like to see that happen. We all want each one of us to finish the challenge and no injuries.
The 1700N ran directly for 8 miles into Champaign (pronounced like bubbly) with the usual soya and corn planted right out to the road. I took my time though still moving at 13 or 14 mph but on the lookout for a good shot.
A large water treatment plant was being developed in the area and stacks of their pipes lined the road. I had a good long look at the field of soya as if down the barrel of a gun. Another good from dropping/being dropped off the paceline.
Champaign and Urbana are side by side and between them have a population of 100,000. In summer temperatures often go over 90 degrees and over the winter they receive 30 inches of snow. Today’s scheduled ride was 97 miles, but as anyone knowing me realises, I’m a sucker for going that extra mile. Another century was on the cards especially as I felt so fresh. I did a bit of a tour of the city around the motel and eventually clocked in at 101 milesI arrived at the Comfort Inn motel at 3pm after stopping off at Subway for a sandwich and a cool drink. To refresh my slightly aching limbs then I went extravagant and treated myself to a bath in Champaign … not every day I do that.
Tonight we were supposed to eat at Ryan's Buffet Grill but had to eat elsewhere. First time there was a change in dinner venue. Perhaps someone could explain.
An enjoyable day's cycling with a different approach for a period. And a century
Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.
PS: the link for the interview on KQTV last Monday is http://stjoechannel.com/content/fulltext_news?cid=20781
Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.
PS: the link for the interview on KQTV last Monday is http://stjoechannel.com/content/fulltext_news?cid=20781
Being the Fourth of July it was a national holiday and a day of celebration. Almost all cyclists wore the America by Bicycle shirt with its stars and stripes. Also it was suggested that we decorate ourselves or our bikes to create a bit of atmosphere. No one knew what would appear till breakfast was over. I was disappointed with the amount who decorated. It was all a bit of craic. I had decided to put a bit of effort into it and had paid a visit to Joanne’s Fabrics during our rest day in St Joseph - after all my media responsibilities had been attended to! When we emerged for loading all was out in the open. 
Most of the other decorated ones were of the international contingent. My ensemble caught the eye with ohs and ahs and wows. (detailed description later). Many photos were taken before the off. The decorations were to be worn as far as the first SAG at least. I wore mine all day as it would have been difficult to remove it. After breakfast I was busy with needle and thread attaching the cape to my shirt and bib to make it secure. At the end of the day it took a while to snip the threads (especially with the left hand) without damaging the shirt. The flying cape caught the eye of motorists and pedestrians during the day … always complimentary. Actually I didn’t find the billowing cape any hindrance or drawback over the 106 miles.
Description for fashion and design gurus: a tightly fitted bodice featuring striking stars and stripes all covered by a waist-length flowing cape of printed cotton featuring interlocking stars and stripes motifs. All this underneath a tuile of discrete red and blue coloring emblazoned with bold stars of silver. A festively decorated neckpiece unified the total effect. Headwear consisted of a stiff Giro Atmos protective shell (non-optional) in appropriate colouring with a large red, white and blue Daisy Duck bow at the rear. So there you are now…. I did make a bit of an effort.
Today I cycled with Gary (IL) and obviously he had a lot of local information. We kept up a steady pace and only stopped for the two SAG stops and when I got the punctures. Two punctures today and both in the front. The first was just a slow leak at first and happened a mile short of the first SAG. A pumping up got me in and we repaired it there…a pinch flat. A new tube in, pumped to 100 lbs pressure and off again. The second happened just as we turned in to a gas station a few miles short of the motel. This time it was a tiny piece of radial wire and it took some time to find the culprit and remove it with a tweezers. Another new tube in etc. One good outcome of all this is that I now can whip off the tyre and replace it with my bare hands; levers are only for wimps! These hands are lethal at this stage.
After 46 miles we crossed the broad Illinois River. Evidently, it didn’t have the same flooding problems as the Mississippi. Mighty barges were moored there ready to transport wheat downstream hen needed.
Illinois is all corn and soya. I believe the University of Illinois is one of the best for cereal research … has plenty to work on anyhow. We did pass some research stations of the University along the way. Corn is at an advanced stage now even though there was a big worry about sowing earlier because of the rains. For many straight miles it was corn, corn, corn on both sides and into the distance.
14 miles out on the road we arrived at the town of Liberty (Pop 600) and paused for a photo. The Irish word for liberty or freedom is saoirse and I just had to pause as I was cycling for Saoirse today. Maybe some day she will pass through here. On a trans-continental cycle perhaps? Already at 9 months she has been out on a bike a number of times and recognises bumpy terrain (baby rolling hills) and headwind.
On this side of the Mississippi there is almost a European feel about some parts of towns and landscape. Small churches like the Lutheran one in Liberty is a case in point. Roads tend to be less straight and more interesting as a result. At the start of today’s ride trees offered shade from the warming sun.
Springfield is the capital of Illinois (12 million people) and the capitol is an impressive building as is the Court House along Monroe Street. Quite a few older examples of architecture were visible. Because of the punctures time was moving on and didn’t have time to move around the centre of town for a period. Abraham Lincoln lived here for 24 years before becoming President in 1860. He was assassinated in 1866 and is buried 2 miles north of town with his wife and three of his children. 
WE finally arrived at the Motel at 4 pm, took photos with high fives and off to the rooms
Eventually it had to happen. We have had so many escapes and near misses no one really blamed the elements. Even as we loaded after breakfast the rain was falling heavily and showing no sign of letting up. But the show must go on and everyone dressed accordingly for what might be a long uncomfortable day. I wore bootees over the cycling shoes and they helped a lot. At least the rain wasn’t running down my socks into the shoe. Normally at home I wouldn’t go out in such conditions even though I ofted would be caught out in heavy rain. No room for choices this morning.
However as we moved through Kirksville even though I was getting wet there was heat in the air (almost 70 degrees) and that eased the discomfort. Not near as bad as cold winter rain. No point in worrying about whether I was keeping dry or not. (See Heard Today). The sky was heavy all around and earlier the TV Weather Channel had been giving reports of heavy rains overnight.
Twenty minutes after departing the rain eased off and it got a bit cooler. Roads were still wet and brakes wouldn’t be as dependable as usual. No point in putting them to the test unnecessarily.
I decided to cycle with the more sedate element (3 of us) with no place for heroics in these conditions. I knew it would take longer but no point in arriving at the motel dead on time. So gradually the rain gear came off although the day never reached high temperatures…. stayed more or less in the 70’s all day.
The route today wasn’t extraordinary. Not as much grain but plenty of soya and corn. Meadowland was extensive and a fair amount of stock in fields and in yards. In some cases, I was glad there was a strong fence between them and the camera (and cameraman). Again the first half of the day was over rolling hills..up then down then up again etc. Just keep the head down, pedal on and don’t assume this is the last one.
Hay in round bales mostly was common with many wrapped and lined up in the farm yards. Apparently the rain came suddenly yesterday evening with tractor and all abandoned in the field like the Marie Celeste. No hay making today and none tomorrow either…. Independence Day
Williamstown could have been busier where we made a brief stop. All shops seemed empty except the Post Office and that wasn’t open. Gas station didn’t have customers for years and only a lonely drinks machine on the forecourt.
Adair was a pretty little place with a scenic church …. sounds familiar. We had our first SAG in Baring and the local bank building, Baring’s Bank was in ruins …. sounds familiar also. All human life is here.
After 82 miles we dropped down to the Mississippi and came face to face with the millions of sand bags built up as a levee. Levels are dropping back by now but all the signs are still there … silt on the road.
The corn down here on the low ground is thriving on the moisture in the ground and it is more advanced than anything else we’ve seen. Earlier in the day we came on fields that were under water near the Fabius River which we criss-crossed many times.
Usually this cycle crosses the Mississippi on a ferry. The river can be a mile wide in places. But the ferries are not running and will not be for another three months. The bridges … two in Quincy have no shoulder and are very busy with all the trucks. Cycling across would be reckless so the SAG wagons shuttled us across in groups from Taylor. It did mean a wait for the wagon to return but it afforded the opportunity to relax … it was now 4 pm.
Front wheels were whipped off the bikes, loaded up on top and then the short run over the Centennial Bridge (south) into Quincy. 
It is a massive river and running fast. You could just imagine the devastation when the levees gave way. The down-side of the shuttle across was that we passed the ‘Welcome to Illinois’ sign. Pity to have missed that photo opportunity. Wheels back on to the bikes in a flash and just about 5 more miles to go.
Now we were definitely on the eastern side of the US.Would it be different? How would it be different? Within 10 minutes I noticed that traffic was more cut-throat and less cautious than before. At lights cars cut across in front if there was the slightest gap; one pick-up truck driver pulled out sharply in front of me causing me to swerve sharply (and shout) to avoid a collision; another car as it passed was heard to shout ‘get off the road’ at us. It really put us on guard rather quickly. We’ll definitely start cautiously tomorrow.
Our group, now swollen to four, arrived at the motel at 4.20 pm and it was nice to have a hot shower before Route Rap. Dinner was at a Chinese Buffet and it was lovely. I’m not into Chinese food but I ate what I liked and I liked what I ate. I couldn’t name what I had but it was delicious. Wouldn’t mind if we go Chinese again.
