Day 20 & 21- Colfax to Mount Pleasant, IA to Pekin, IL

Well, where to begin - it's a toss up as last night had I of posted it probably would have been a raw emotional thing....but today I'm way better. So, lets get yesterday out of the way and end on the high points of today...

Day 20- Colfax to Mount Pleasant, IA
Yesterday (Friday) started out with lots of clouds and a rain storm on the way. So, I packed my rain coat in with the truck, my light one is always with me. Susan and I started out together and sure enough the rain started within the first 10 miles, light at first but by the time we got to the first stop it was a steady light rain. So, I put my rain coat on and thought I might regret it as it tends to get hot and sticky. But, I was soon glad that I had it on as the rain steadily got worse. We rode on and the thunder started following us along with some far off lightening. Yes, I did say lightening - I have two fears - one is being struck by lightening. Thankfully, the rain wasn't cold at first and we made it to the second sag with the lightening only 13 seconds behind us - apparently there is a calculation that you can do to see how far away the 'real' storm is. I didn't care, I was very hesitant to go back out in it with that dang lightening, but after a few snickers bars (What?!they are mini!) We headed out. About 10 miles away Susan looked down and realized she had a flat - dang it! So we headed to the nearest drive way and against my better judgment under a tree. We tried to get her tire changed but it was so weird it was almost crumpled to the rim. I tried calling the caravan to let them know to stop and give us a head but got vmail - they were cleaning up from the last stop. We wrestled with that thing for almost 20 minutes! I was watching for the caravan to go by and finally saw them coming and ran to the road to flag them down at the same time Susan finally got the tire off the rim. Carl pulled in and helped finish getting the tire on and was pumping it up when suddenly, "POW!". The tube burst again, so he had Greg get another wheel down and we swapped them out. Come to find out later the tire was full of glass. Susan looked longingly at the van, but there was no room in it for us to move up as there were already people sagging, plus I didn't want to. There is a saying here "EFI" - I was an "EFI" Every 'Flippin' Inch - so there was no way I was sagging. So off we went.
As we rode on the storm had hit were we were and we were in the lightening, thunder and down pours. As we rode up hills the water just poured down and as vehicles passed it was like a wall of water and debris would hit and you'd almost be stopped. The worst was when the pig truck went by and we were splattered by it. EWWW!!!! We couldn't have been more miserable!
By the time we made the lunch stop - everyone but the crew was gone and we were cold! They got us our meatballs and pasta and we shook off the chill as we ate. Susan's fiance, Dale met her there and I knew she would ride forward with him. I however, had no intention of sagging. But, as I finished up, Susan N (owner) started questioning me and more than strongly suggesting that I get 'bumped' forward. I couldn't help it but the tears started, I had survived a flippin' storm and now was being told I had to get moved forward in order to stay on track. I was devastated. I wasn't happy about it but finally agreed, after all, Dale had said he could barely see me when he was driving down the road. So, there....I was no longer EFI. It sucked.....but the rest of the group wasn't that far ahead and I only went forward 14 miles. My rational is this - Craig and I had already got in 12 extra miles on day 2, so now all I need is 2 more miles to back on the 'Modified EFI'. But, I was extremely bummed about it yesterday.
To top it off the rest of the ride was of course guilt ridden - I know, I know a wasted emotion. Not today, I'm off the pity party and on to the rest of the journey. There are some funny pictures of a crazy mud pit we had to cross. I also got to ride with Scott for awhile which was nice since I had been alone for a little bit playing 'catch up'
The good thing was after the tears and people coming up to me to console me - I had a wonderful massage - it made me feel better. Besides, it was a 141 mile day and I did 127 miles.

Day 21 - Mount Pleasant, IA to Pekin, IL

Well, after a nights rest - yesterday didn't seem so devastating and I was ready to ride and prove that I wasn't 'sag material'. I was the first one in line at the trailer and out the door and on my bike. Paul was back in the saddle and was shocked, he was like don't go anywhere - I said - sorry Paul - I'm taking no chances! It was a beautiful morning and cool. We rode into Madison, IA and got to see Old Fort Madison and the great big Mississippi River - wow! That was cool, plus we crossed it on an old bridge that had a car deck above the rail area - so cool!
We also passed into Illinois today - so incredible how far we've come. Greg commented on the scenery that it wasn't all corn and soy beans - then we turned a corner and guess what? Corn and soy beans! The roads today were much better and a lot of it reminded me of Michigan the meadows and farms. Paul did catch me at a light, we along with Greg and Mark rode together - it was really fun and went quick the first stop at 30-something miles came up quick. Mark is back in the saddle and riding very strong too! We passed some great barns and grainaries too. It's weird to say that 136 miles went 'fast' but it did - we cruised along pretty steadily and kept a decent pace. There was a road that we were on that was 'closed' and we pretty much had it all to ourselves, we realized that it was closed because a big hunk of it was missing so we had a little mt. biking to do! The funny thing was that at the end there was a huge Caterpillar digger at the end that we went under - I wish I had a picture of that!! (it was just parked)
We came in through Pekin and they were having a big Cruiser nite - so tons of cool cars everywhere. Once in I went through my normal routine and met Michelle's friend who rode from Chicago to meet up with her - incredible, right?! So, she will ride with us tomorrow. Then I met Scott for dinner at the Italian place next door and wound up meeting up with Jerry, Rick, Bob, Ernie, Jim too - it was a fun and relaxing dinner - the first in awhile. Typically, I'm rushing so much that I have to inhale my dinner to make it to a massage or to finish my laundry and prep for the next day.
Tomorrow is another long day - 136 miles, we get a shorter day in 3 days thank goodness!!

July 30
Look at that huge smile on Cov's face! (Cov and Cynthia)

Mike washing his shoes off after the mud slog
Rick carrying his bike - no shoes of coures - mud clogs up your cleats see above when you wear your shoes

Lunch stop - look at the puddled water

The start of the morning - Mark, Janae and Susan

Day 21

Old Ford Madison - look at that guy enjoying his Saturday morning

Really cool paddle boad on the Mississippi River - Casino anyone? (aka Jana)

Grainery

Crossing another state!!

Soy beans

Road Closed - Mt biking Open

Illinios scenery - look at the cool American Flag on top

Funny barn - like those two ran out of the barn and left those cut-outs

The Illinois River (that's two giant rivers in one day!)