Friday 7-27 Day 33

Start: Belvidere, IL
End: Coal City IL
Scheduled: 103.8
Actual: 125

Woke up in the middle of the night to a big thunderstorm, glad we are under the big roof, but you can't stake down a tent to concrete, so I was a bit worried when the winds picked up. Thankfully they did not get too strong.

Start out with David the elder agian, and it starts to rain again. I put on both head and taillights. Coming into Shabbona IL, I decide for another 2nd breakfast, cause I'm wet and cold and need something warm inside of me. I find this great little cafe, and when you open the door and it is very nearly filled, you know you're at a good spot. I sat down at the counter, and started talking to the guy across from me. He asked what I was up to, which I was more than happy to explain to him and then he told me a bit about himself, he does a lot of sailing and owns quite a few boats. Two cups of tea later, along with two "cakes" ans some sausage I was feeling much better.

The rain had stopped, but it was still over cast. IL has not impressed me, nothing to really take pictures of, it is all so the same. It is very flat, and there is just feild after field of soybeans and corn. Nothing on the horizon to give you a sense of direction or heading. The thing that did strike me, was how rural so much of it is, we were only 50 miles from Chicago, but you would never have guessed it.

Well, I missed a turn and ended up adding over 20 miles early in the ride. David the mechinac actually came looking for me, and helped get me back on track. The system they (ALAW) have does work. But at this time I was way behind everyone else. I continued on my own and got turned around again at "unmarked" intersections and was getting very frustrated! Finaly at route mile 73.5 (plus my extra 25 or so miles) I looked over my shoulder at a Subway shop and saw bikes! I go in and it's the collage kids. I give them each a big hug, I was soooo glad to see fellow riders! I told them I was not going to let them out of my sight, till we made camp. At that same time Floyd came up to us too, he had made some of the same mistakes I did, plus a flat tire.

The seven us then rode together the last 30 miles or so into camp. Kellie came in after us and there was much applause for her, as she had completed the course and had done her first Century Ride!

Camp was at the Coal City Area Club. Not such a good facility, the bathrooms were far away and there was only two showers for the men and only one of them had a shower head, the other was just a pipe sticking out of the wall. But that is just part of the adventure I guess, but when you've done over 125 miles, you get a little cranky. Dinner was pizza that had been ordered.

The worst part, was a group of campers next to us who did not beleive in quiet time. They were playing their music very loudly and shouting all night. Finally at 11:15 the cops where called and they came and quieted them down. There was to my knowledge no help from the operators of the camp. This very thing had happened last year too.

With not being able to sleep, I read the first three chapters of the New Harry Potter book. Scott had bought a copy and is cutting it up chapter by chapter as he reads it. I am #6 in line for it.

tomorrow is only 83 miles, so that should be a piece of cake.