3 States and the Eastern Time Zone!
Today we rode 107 miles from Matteson, Illinois to South Bend, Indiana. We climbed 2,251 feet.
We enjoyed another day of stress-free cycling with perfect weather. Obligatory 0700 start in the hotel parking lot due to the long day scheduled. We rolled out of town following a police escort and quickly got onto the first of many paved bike paths where we would spend the vast majority of the day. Riding on bike paths has pluses and minuses. On the minus side, you share the path with all sorts of recreational activities-cyclists, walkers, runners, kids on scooters, etc. It calls for constant vigilance and communication with teammates to avoid collisions. There is also what long-distance cyclists refer to as "the green tunnel" effect, where over time you lose appreciation for the canopy of trees over the trail and long for some visual stimulation. Another (thankfully) rare occurrence is the dog bite. We had one of those today when a teammate encountered a dog off its leash that got a bit too excited and bit his hand. Fortunately, no permanent damage. On the plus side, bike paths like the ones we encountered in Illinois provide miles of car-free riding on beautifully smooth surface. They are often very flat, which allows us to roll along at a nice speed without too much effort. And the green tunnel tends to block the wind, which we'll take any day.
We eventually popped out onto the road and encountered some hills in beautiful farming communities. Today was a unique day, as we cycled in three states: Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana. We rode only a short distance in Michigan, but while there crossed paths with many cyclists doing the Apple Cider Century (www.applecidercentury.com) in a hilly part of the state. We also saw some beautiful views of Lake Michigan (while in Indiana) which stretched to the horizon and looked just like the ocean on a calm day. We enjoyed four great SAG stops where we ate delicious treats and stayed hydrated for the journey. Eventually we entered South Bend and the campus of Notre Dame, where we will spend the night in Morris Inn (www.morrisinn.nd.edu).
WE ARE IN THE EASTERN TIME ZONE! For some reason, that feels significant. Farewell Illinois, hello Indiana.
We are rolling. Momentum is on our side as we charge towards Annapolis. Eleven days...
Tomorrow we will ride from South Bend to Angola, Indiana. We will cycle 75 miles and climb 1,806 feet.
Totals to Date
Miles: 2,482
Elevation Gain: 78,223
Flat Tires: 42
States crossed: 7
Centuries: 7
Dog bites: 1
