Detour around Chicago

Day 34, July 25
Belvidere, IL, to Coal City, IL
104 miles
Cumulative: 2382 miles

Today was a long, warm day in which we headed south through Illinois farmland. We were avoiding Chicago by going west of the metropolitan area. Tomorrow we'll be far enough south of the city that we can turn eastward into Indiana. We can all sense that we're on the home stretch.

Early in the morning when the sun is still low in the sky, it's fun to watch my shadow dance along the roadside ditch. During one shadow show, I shot a little video clip.

Bill's constant companion

Later in the morning, I watched Matt Stobbart, our English rider, assist his new friend Hillary to go faster. Matt is single and 36, Hillary is single and 34 and the two appear to enjoy each others' company. The problem is, Matt is one of the faster riders on the tour while Hillary is definitely one of the slowest. When they ride together, Matt holds out his right arm and pushes his partner along. I shot a little video of how they do it, and you can see it here.

Get by with a little help from a friend

By the end of the day, I was exhausted from the long ride. Yesterday I rode 96 miles, and today 104. Tomorrow will be even longer.

Comments

[John Hamilton]

Bill-

I have been following your daily trip reports with tremendous admiration and envy. Say hi to Libb and Amy Rust. They teach in the same district with my wife and are good runners, skiers, swimmers and bikers. Have a safe trip.