Day 32 – Madison to Belvidere, IL

 Thursday – 24 Jul

Big Ride Miles

Today’s Distance	98.4
Total Ride Distance	2322.9
Average Speed	12.5
Maximum Speed	29.5
Total Calories	6057
Total Climbing (feet)	3076
Total Descent (feet)	3144

I had two highlights for today. The first was at a food stop set up by a rider from last year, Bob Dumke. The food was good, and it was especially fun to meet Bob because he was one of my random sponsors. The other highlight was having a friend of mine from Walla Walla, WA find me out on the course. Maev Denny is in Chicago for a week and came out to see us and took me to supper. That was fun!

Todays rid was lots of rolling hills with a pretty good headwind at times. What made up for thehills and wind was the things we are seeing. The most beautiful farms with acres of lawns and flowers everywhere. And of course the smell of dairy air.

One little town in Illinois we went through (I will let it remain nameless) appears to have a split personality. About half a mile bore getting into town I was run off the road by a truck. Fortunately, it was a very nice ditch with soft grass to land in – no damage to bike or rider. Then in town I had a driver going in the opposite direction stop and cuss me out. I don’t know what that was all about, bot the guy looked like he had just spent all his money at th bar. Then we met Kevin. One of the friendliest and helpful people I have met on th ride. Our last water stop was set up in front of his house, and h was very helpful helping to figure out a problem we were having with our cue sheets.

I’m off to bed now. Another century ride tommorrow.

 Oops! Wrong turn?   Bob Dumke – 2007 rider and one of my sponsorsAnother stateHey Sheryl. Your family has a road!