Day 33, 34, 35

Well, this is an attempt to catch up a bit. When we started this journey, we had no idea how difficult it would be. Now we know. Life has three foci: ride, eat, sleep. If we have internet access, not a given even with our Verizon card, and if we have time, and if we are not so tired we are sleeping before we get back to the tent, THEN we may blog. This is the most difficult physical test I/we have ever attempted. Sometimes all other tasks end up being ignored.


Day 33, Madison WI to Belvidere, IL

We left Madison in the rain. The route out of town was a bit complex, and we were lucky to have Bob, an 2008 Big Ride alum, to guide us. Turns out he will be doing DALMAC, 5 UP along with AD Carson and I (and others) this Labor Day.

The tractor picture was taken by Margaret while we were still in WI. Sometimes you see the oddest things. Notice the flag. Headwind.

We were interviewed for the local paper in Beloit as we were leaving WI. The news guy snapped this picture of us. That is Jessica, Kate Bridgeman, Bernie, and Margaret and I.

The Illinois sign appears to need a little work.




By 1 PM, all cloud cover was gone, and the day really began to heat up. We were glad to get to our camp ground, get the tent up, and go across the street for a pizza dinner, and.....The Tour De France on TV while eating pizza!

Margaret has installed a little fan in the tent, and it really helped us get to sleep.







Day 34, Belvidere to Coal City IL

The day began about 1 AM with one hell of a thunderstorm, simultaneous thunder and lightning, two inch an hour rain, the whole nine yards. After about an hour of that, the rain slacked off, and we went back to sleep.

Unfortunately, it was still steadily raining when the alarm went off. Not good. Even worse, someone (me) had left the speedometer/odometer on the bike, so we had to ride today without one. Later our mechanic loaned us a Garmin GPS, so we could at least figure out distances until its battery died.

So, we took down our tent, packed the truck, and ate breakfast in the rain. Somehow it is OK if you are riding and it begins to rain, but it is somehow wrong to decide to start riding while it is raining. There was no real option.

After riding all morning in the rain (again) the skies cleared and the day began to heat up (again). This is the kind of rather flat countryside we are now riding through.

Today, as yesterday, there was a road detour that added several miles to the day's ride. We finally got into camp around 4;30, and got a much needed shower.


This is a picture of our Enterprise gear truck in camp at Coal City. I have dubbed her "the mother ship," but I'm not sure our younger riders catch the Star Trek reference.















Day 35, Coal City, IL to Valparaiso, IN

The day began with a 1 AM thunderstorm again! Fortunately, it was not raining when it was time to get up and get on the road.

The lack of rain did not last for long, and by mid morning, the weather conditions were so extreme, that about 20 of us ended up a little McDonald's along the highway. We just about filled the place. It looked a bit like a drowned rats convention. Most of us, Margaret and I included, took it as an opportunity to have a second breakfast.

By the end of the morning the rain had stopped, and we had a very pleasant ride into Valparaiso College, where we are spending the night in an air conditioned dorm. The last three days we have ridden over 90 miles each day, what with detours and such. Tomorrow we will be riding 109 miles into Kendallville, IN. We also lose an hour entering the eastern time zone. BUT, only a 20% chance of rain.

Goodnight.