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DAY 6

It never rains on an ABB ride...but it missed a great opportunity

ROUTE: Clinton IA to Galesburg IL DISTANCE:  86 miles WINDS:  WSW 10-20  You guessed it, our 6th straight day of headwinds.
WEATHER:  Severe thunderstorms forecast...tornados all around over night, but we skated! TERRAIN: Flat for first 30 miles, then rolling to finish. TOTAL CLIMBING: 2900 feet give or take

RIDE OVERVIEW:  BOOM!!!  Was all I heard all evening as I tried to sleep.  We were in a severe weather watch and it pretty much came to reality over the evening hours.  I'm having a bit of a sinus problem so I was having trouble sleeping anyway, but when the fireworks started cracking, it was only a dream if I thought I was asleep.  By morning, the worst had passed through and was south of us on our route.  The skies overhead were ominous to say the least, but at least it had stopped raining.  We left anticipating getting wet sometime today, but we stayed dry all day even though we could see the dark sky ahead of us probably just moving a little faster than we could ride...love it.

If I were asked to characterize the day I'd have to say it was a day of just about everything.  We had bridges, bike trails, quiet small town streets, busy urban areas, quiet country roads, hills, humidity, hilarity...something for everyone.  One particular road was even labeled on the route sheet as "roller coaster (left)."  I heard lots of "Weeeeeeeeeeees" as I stood at the top of one of the rollers taking photos.  Oh, I heard some "Ughs" too.

This morning we departed Clinton across the same bridge we came in on yesterday...another day in Iowa just to sleep and eat.  Once across the bridge, we picked up the Illinois Great River Trail, a new bike trail they've just completed from Clinton all the way to the Quad Cities that skirts along hwy 84 and winds in and out of small river towns along the way.  At right, Scott was pulling David down the path along 84.  I was a bit reluctant to use the bike trail because it's easier to navigate streets and roads, but after riding it last year, I felt it was definitely a keeper.  It was nice to sit up and cruise along without worrying about traffic as we rode beside busy highway 84 on a freshly paved surface.  Even though the trail looked complicated on the route sheet, it was fairly easy to navigate since it was clearly marked with signage...plus, we just kept highway 84 on our left and the river on our right.

After 35 miles of relatively easy bike path riding, we rode out into the Illinois countryside with its obligatory rolling terrain and open farm land.  Again, our senses were overloaded with scenic vistas as we popped over some of the rollers today.  Except for the headwinds, it turned out to be a perfect day to ride.

The fact we were riding between highway 84 and the river all morning made it easy to navigate for most people, but like I said yesterday, we get directionally challenged sometimes when we get into the countryside.  Syd had about 10 bonus miles after making a wrong turn, Cynthia and her mother just decided to turn down a country road because it's number was "close" to the one they were supposed to be riding.  I found them limping back to the route trying to sneak back before I caught them so they could stay off the website...sorry...busted!  Also, I just happened find Topper and British John on route after they had missed a turn and were well out in front of our support and the second SAG.  I just happened to be going forward a short distance to mark the very turn they missed when I saw them far off in the distance.  Lucky for them, the fact they had missed the turn in the first place allowed me to see them and when I caught them, they informed me of two others who had missed the SAG stop and who were still farther ahead.  OK, all is forgiven and they'll escape ridicule this time since it worked out for the best.  I think some of these rider's attitude is, the sooner they get lost, the longer they'll have to figure out where they are.  All I can say is, lots of people pay good money to be entertained...I just hang around and watch what's going on...it's usually a hoot.  Some of you out there may think I make this stuff up.  I'm sorry to admit that I don't have that good of imagination.

These headwinds are making for some long days.  I finally got in with the van about 4:30 and tomorrow's mileage is longer than today.  Our forecast is for thunder again but the winds are supposed to be out of the north...you might know that we'll be going mostly west for a change.  At least they should not be in our face...these riders won't know how to act.  We are under a flood watch for the next 12 hours...hopefully, it will do the same as today and rain out by morning...whatever, we'll ride our bikes.  For now, it's off to rap and dinner...I'm starved. 

HEARD ON THE ROAD TODAY:  "We're not lost, we are just seeking alternate destinations."

"My bike thinks it's stolen...somebody cleaned it!"  

Mike: "John, did you find your luggage today?"    John: "Yes."    Mike:  "Funny how that works." 

"These headwinds weren't in the brochure."

PHOTOS OF THE DAY
 

Busted!!!  Marilyn and Cynthia were off 'exploring' uncharted territory just before the SAG.  Cynthia said they turned on 7500N because it was something like the 7000N they should have turned on.  Do they look embarrassed?  I think not.

  

Buzz was caught putting a secret formula into his water container.  High octane...now we know why he flies down the road.

 
 

David was having trouble keeping pace with Jack until someone suggested taking the flat sail off the back of his helmet.

 

  

I don't know what they are, but we have 2 of 'em.
 

I see a pattern here...someone's fixing a flat and Keith is close by.  He is improving though, he only had 3 flats today.

 

  

Craig was on his way to Pennys to buy some new riding socks when Scott tried to make him wear his.  Scott was afraid Craig would buy socks that would make him look like a nerd...or in cycling terms, a 'Fred.'  Now this was coming from a guy who brought his cell phone on the trip but only bought the cigarette lighter charger.