Time for a nap

Chillin' in Champaign on a much needed rest day.

We did 620 miles over the last 7 days including 2 centuries. We had rain and wind as well as a couple of beautiful days. We have now done 5 true centuries since the ride began - and in my previous cycling life I had done exactly 3 (and one of those was disputed...99.1 the quibbler said is not a century).

The map is posted every night in the lobby of the hotel we are staying in. It started with just a light blue line representing our intended journey. Each night they add a black overlay for that day's ride for a graphic look at our progress. It is incredible to see it and realize how far we have come. Tomorrow we cross into Indiana for another state crossing - and we come into the Eastern time zone, that is another big step toward Boston.

Coming into Champaign last night took us along University Ave which was somewhat reminiscent of some of the streets of Princeton around the University. Nice street with lots of leafy trees, nice homes, some even elegant. However, we turned before we got to the main campus.

And by the way, we also saw our first Canada geese last night - a sure sign we are transitioning into the eastern U.S. One of our California riders was waxing enthusiastic over his sighting of a mama goose and her newly hatched siblings and a couple of folks who see them all the time immediately jumped in with their comments on what pests they are - me being one of those folks.

We started the trip with 25 riders in Los Angeles but have lost a few along the way. Some who started had job committments that permitted them only a few weeks and several rode only as far as Albuquerque or Santa Fe. Another left in Abilene and one more will stop in Indianapolis (his home). At the same time we picked up two more people here in Champaign for the final push to Boston - and one is riding a recumbant, should be interesting - although the worst of the climbing was in the mountains there is still some formidable climbing ahead. Even Ohio has hills I'm told and I know from experience about the climbing in New York and Vermont. So we are now 18 strong and on our way to the final 1/3 or so.... One of the other riders made a comment that we become like family and it is true. We have a very fine group of people on the ride and in lots of ways we have become siblings over the past 2000 or so miles.

I slept in to about 8 this morning - a delicious luxury - and then went down for a leisurely breakfast. Came up and caught up on a few computer things, little bit of news (Red Wings lost last night-I was too tired to stay up), and then did some laundry. Am going to go out and read a bit and maybe close the eyes for awhile. Tomorrow we have a mere 79 miles to Crawfordsville, Indiana - I must admit some relief that we are not coming off a rest day into a century. And if the weather is anything like what we have had today it will be a good ride....