Hello everyone,

Sorry but I don’t have any photos to post today but let’s just say that the ride to Champaign was another one for the books! About the best thing that I can say about the day was that I was able to “delay” 3.5 miles until Wednesday and that Wednesday is a rest day.

It basically rained all day, sometimes hard but with no lightening. The other negative aspect was the omnipresent headwinds. It certainly could have been a pretty ride if the weather and or winds had cooperated . However, we all got very wet and when we stopped felt cold. My legs hurt from the day before and riding into the wind is like running up steps.

I was going fairly well until the first SAG but had not been able to get any gatorade before the ride so I only had water. Probably a bad idea but I began to bonk a bit after SAG 1 but recovered as the food and drink started to kick in. On a ride like this, one must keep consuming and replenishing electrolytes. When it is raining and cold, the tendency is not not eat and drink as much anyway. By the first SAG, it was evident that many of the riders were hurting and it was rapidly becoming a “let’s just get it done day”.

With a decent wind profile, it  would be easy to average over 20 mph. As it was I averaged only 13.5. Consequently, it makes for a long day. With everything wet, it is easy to develop saddle sores and blisters. Feet get wet, hands are cold and I had to take off my sunglasses because I couldn’t see. Since I didn’t have clear lenses, it was dark enough and wet enough that I felt better off without them.

I rode quite a bit of the day with Barry and Richard . After we knocked off 60 something miles at the 2nd SAG, Barry said, “Well now it is just a 20 mile ride.” With the bulk of the nasty ride behind, the knowledge that it will soon be over is motivating. It seemed that we rode at a faster paces we closed in on Champaign. I will say though that the roads were quite bad with  great potholes , ruts, cracks and other debris. It didn’t matter as we were almost done. Richard and I peeled off with 3.5 miles to go because we had an appointment with Champaign Cycles. Jan was waiting there for us and we dropped off our bikes and went to the hotel.

At the hotel, I met Kitty who is Tim’s wife who made a surprise visit from the UK for Tim. The unflappable Tim seemed quite happy and surprised. I showered and took a nap and missed the group going out to dinner. My legs hurt quite bit more than any  other point in the journey. The rest day is very welcome. When we proceed on Thursday we may have sunshine and a non headwind.

I will add a bit for our “rest day” later.

Tailwinds

Chuck