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My last entry left ended with hopes for a bike journey. This is the first entry (hopefully followed by a few more) of the fruit of those desires. The month of May was spent acquiring the necessary gear (bike, panniers, etc.) and getting in road ready shape. My biggest fear was that I wouldn't be able to get the wheels rolling quick enough to go from absolutely nothing to ready for a bike tour in 1 month, but with some help from family, friends, and strangers I was able to to hit the ground running (or pedaling rather).
The weather man promised rain for my first day, and the sky seemed to support his claims, but as I went south I managed to miss any rain or foul weather. I did have a screw pop out of my rack, but the divine caused this incident just as I arrived in Pekin with intentions of stopping at the bike shop already! The ride was liberating, since all my rides before had a turnaround or half-way point, I was thrilled not to know where I would be sleeping or how far or long it would be until I stopped...I had a huge
grin on my face much of the day. A little bit of headwind in the afternoon was the worst of it, and I finished after 69 miles (The longest ride I'd done until then, and especially with a fully loaded bike) outside of Lincoln, IL. With no obvious campground in the direction I was heading, I decided to ask some folks with some nice property if I could pitch my tent there. The woman eventually offered me to stay in the camper parked on the side of their house because storms were expected for that evening. She was a very opinionated woman (referring to Obama as the anti-christ and ranting on about illegal aliens...I kept any political views to myself and added that most foreigners working at call centers are actually living in India because it is cheaper for the companies, not Mexicans in the U.S. taking our jobs as she suggested), but she was friendly and generous, and I was happy to have a real roof and bed for the evening.
I got an early start in the morning and was feeling pretty good considering the workout from the previous day. The day was mostly uneventful. Lots of
back roads, wildlife, and sun (I've got a nice tan from ankle to mid thigh, from wrist to mid bicep, and a little on my nose...trendy for the Tour de France). My biggest scare is when dogs come charging out. The ones that look nice, I'll stop and pet and they'll run for a bit, but when they don't look friendly I just pedal hard and hope I don't get bit. I reached Taylorville where I was to meet a rails to trails path for 15 miles. This is also when it started to rain and blow. I probably would have hid out somewhere, but since I was going to be on a bike path, I decided it was safe to continue (it was except for the woodchuck that was inches from sending me over the handlebars) and it was actually quite nice because of the shelter the surrounding woods provided. Right before reaching the end in Pana and breaching the 80 mile mark for the day, I pitched my tent in a thin strip of cornfield hidden by some woods. I hadn't asked the anyone because the the only person in site was working in a tractor, but I
got the ok after he was heading right for me (I think I got the ok because I said do you mind, he shook is head no, and said some other things while pointing, but I couldn't hear a single word over his tractor. In the middle of the night I heard the thuds of something running by with panting, moments later a similar, slower paced noise heading the other direction. My best guess would be a coyote chasing a bunny, but I haven't got a clue.
The next morning brought more rain, and I reluctantly packed up my wet tent and went into Pana for some food. I waited a bit for the weather to pass, but eventually decided it was light enough and there would be a good wind at my back. Turned out to be decent riding as it was clear and cool. I was in high spirits until some jerk contractor working at Carlyle Lake Wildlife area said I couldn't access I road I wanted to because there were big trucks on it. I asked for help planning a quick way around, and he told he wasn't from there. I asked if I could go and he said I could talk to the boss (some large fellow who remained in his pickup), who then bellowed out the window, "Close the gates and tell him he can do whateva the hell he wants!" So 2 minions quickly got the gate shut quickly, and I was shocked because I wasn't making any fuss about it. I continued looking at a map when the guy told me it doesn't connect anywhere contradicting the map. So I went many miles back into the wind in a part of the country where hunting dogs were memorialized as statues on the lawn and "no trespassing" signs were more common than people. Wasn't too happy about that, but the rain stopped and I found another field to camp out in. It was nice to get my gear dry and watch the critters come out as dusk came on finishing another 70 some miles.
Yesterday I decided to scratch my plan and hop on route 51 to save time and confusion. The 78 miles to Carbondale flew by, but route 51 varied with shoulder width and traffic spurts, making a bit more difficult to stay relaxed like the back roads allowed. I was glad to meet with Elaine and she and Brad made up some tasty sushi. It was nice to be in a bed again and take a day off of riding.
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Sarah
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Sad to see you go, but glad to hear how exciting your journey is. Though I can't imagine doing it, I feel as though it would be very peaceful. Much time and solitude for introspection. All is the same here. Be safe and good luck! I look forward to hearing more from you :) Much love!