More Rain -ain’t no thing.
Today we rode 97 miles from Davenport, Iowa to Peru, Illinois. We climbed 2,092 feet.
The forecast said we had a 17% chance of rain. Well, we got the 17% and more. Another early start with a fire department escort at 0730. We rode out of Davenport with temperatures in the high 60s and cloudy skies. Trying to avoid busy roads, we rode a bike path along the Mississippi River that got us safely out of the city. Rain started early, and we hustled to get to the first SAG, but we were soaked by the time we arrived. While we ate our breakfast under a pavilion, the rain increased in intensity until we had a full on downpour going. No one wanted to leave, so we waited until it slowed to a reasonable level. It never really stopped for the remainder of the day. By now we had begun riding on the Hennepin Canal Trail (www.bikehennepin.com), and the going got tough. Thirty miles into a 95 mile day and we did not have many positive thoughts. But at some point we got saturated and we all figured out that we could not get any wetter, so we reverted to our ten-year-old selves and just embraced it. We pedaled hard through puddles and went as fast as we could through the mud and sand on the trail. Staying upright presented a challenge, as the riding surface was unpredictable. We saw more great blue herons than I could count. Smiles returned to our faces and we arrived at the second SAG spiritually recharged, if physically depleted. After a quick lunch we set out again and charged down the path. We had another brief SAG and kept going. Aside from a flat tire and a malfunctioning electronic derailleur, we got through the day without issue. Arriving at the hotel, our Penske driver had already arranged for use of the hotel's garden hose, and we sprayed mud off of ourselves and our bikes. Quite a mess. Unload the truck, check into the hotel, hot shower. A teammate's old friend who lives in the area bought dinner for the team and brought it into the hotel for us to enjoy in the breakfast area. We are all grateful.
Today was an epic ride; none of us will ever forget it. We put Iowa in the rear view and said hello to Illinois. The Hennepin Canal Trail bent us but we did not break. The rain initially discouraged us but in the end we laughed it off. We rode 97 (!) miles and we didn't even consider the distance an issue. We are a much stronger group than we were four weeks ago. Thirteen days left.
Tomorrow we will ride from Peru to Matteson, Illinois. We will cycle 89 miles and climb 1,299 feet.
Totals to Date
Miles: 2,284
Elevation Gain: 74,590
Flat Tires: 38
States crossed: 6
Centuries: 6
