Day 22 - Pekin to Danville, IL

This is a picture of the new Ford 10 passenger van - this is how amazing this group is - their other Ford Van was on it's last legs and they were planning on replacing it after this trip, but at our lunch the day before, it was kaput. So, Susan and Lon called to a dealership to get another one. I heard about it after lunch and said - well, let me get you x-plan! So, the dealer actually gave them the discount and some customer cash -but get this - they had to go meet the dealer about 2 hours away and get the trailer and old van to the hotel and another dealership, take all the racks and everything off re-pack and re-assemble - with no interruption to our trip or service level AT ALL!!! Can you believe it?! The group was up until 11:30-12:00 but got it all done - AMAZING!! I'm so glad it worked out and anyone that needs a new Ford product let me know - we can get you a discount!!

Today we started the day with cooler temperatures but a lot of humidity. We had a misty fog that lasted just past the first stop around mile 35-ish. I had to take my glasses off so I could see, but most people left them on and just kept wiping their lenses off. I had beads of moisture on my lashes and eyebrows! I wish I had a picture of that as it was all over the hair on my arms!
I was again one of the firsts with my bag into the truck and Paul gave me the wait a minute look. I told him that there would be no screwing around for the day the because I was tired. He looked at me and said, 'Some of the things you say, aren't interpreted as nicely in Australia' - what's wrong with 'screwing around'??? I corrected myself and said 'messing around' instead, which seemed to satisfy him. As I mentioned, today was a difficult day to get up! In the last week we've done over 920 miles! I really wanted to sleep an hour (or 4 more!) We've been getting up at 5am for at least that long and out on the bikes (including stops) for at least 10+ hours. A girl gets a little tired! So, my main objective was to get in early and take a nap. (RIGHT! It's 9:10 and I'm writing this, shame, shame)
Anyway, back to the ride, we were supposed to do 136 miles today and guess what!? We did 138 soooooo.....I'm whole on my mileage - so I'm a MEFI - modified every flippin' inch!! Yeah! I did the Snoopy dance when I got in. We started out with Paul, Mark, Susan, Dale and I - it was a nice start and we rode two abreast and got to chat with everyone along the way. We were on mostly non trafficky roads that were pretty decent chip and seal. Although, there was a few roads that hard the tar bubbles and as you rode over them it was as if you were riding over fish flies/May flies or bubble wrap - pop, pop, pop.....Paul called it a 'dead road' as it felt like your tires were dead on it.

We thought we were out of the Corn and Soybean area but no way we actually were surrounded again by corn it was funny, I kept thinking if I was on this road late at night I could really scare myself - remember - I grew up with the "Children of the Corn" movies - yikes! But, it's not just corn there are all kinds of different seeds that they want to let you know about : DeKalb, Pioneer, Channel, Stoner Seed, Ehler Bros. - we even went by DeKalb (city) where Monsanto's is which used to be AgResearch Corp, I think they were one of the big inventors of hybrid seed corn, a little factoid for you. As you ride along with either of those lovely crops or the person's wheel to look at in front of you - you really can get a lot of thinking done. I even made up a little song about my leg fatigue (I'm still working on other verses here's just a taste, please envision a saxophone accompaniment):

Lactic Acid Blues

Oh..I got the Lactic Acid Blues

Can't climb today but,

that ain't news

Can feel the pain way down through my shoes

Oooohhh, I got the Lactic Acid Bllluuuueesssss.

The other thing that we heard a lot today was the cicada's, if you haven't seen the pic go back a few days and you'll see him. But if you've not heard them click here for a sound byte:
http://soundbible.com/920-Cicada.html. It's weird to go by these giant trees and wonder what are they doing?

Tonight was very enjoyable, we came in and I worked on my bike as usual cleaning and prepping. Although today, I changed my rear tire, my other one was getting worn pretty good and had some flat spots so before we hit the climbs and screaming descents in Virginia I wanted to get her ready. I crack up every time I shower - besides the fact that I'd really like someone else there to scrub me down (Craig?!) (you are pretty tired at the end of the day) - I'm amazed at how dang dirty I am - the road grime that comes off of me! Between the sunscreen that attracts it and the stuff that kicks up from the road - the cleaning crew must wonder what kind of people are showering in their hotels! I have a routine down where I wash my legs twice (and sometimes three times!) then shave my legs - that's one thing I have been shaving my legs EVERY DANG DAY!!! What a chore! But, at least I'll be ready if I get invited to a party and have to wear a skirt! Right!

Michelle and I met up with a group and had dinner at the Mexican place down the street - it was actually very good and I had chicken with onions and mushrooms and get this?! I didn't have to rush through it!

Here are some pics from the day:

Smiley face water tower - we actually look for the water towers of towns to see how close we are getting to civilization

Dinner mates- Left side and around - Ernie, Me, Greg (17 year old crossing for his 3X!!!), Susan (joined for the day - rode her recumbant from Chicago!), Greg, Tom, Michelle, Bob (he looks real mean but he's a big softy!)

Progress so far - unbelievable 'eh?

This cracked me up!! A guy rode to the gas station on his mower to meet his buddies for coffee!! Oh my!