Stage 1-Cairo to Carbondale

Ride Stats:

Distance: 74.04 mi (119.15 km)
Ride Time: 5:12:58
Avg: 14.19 mph (22.84 km/h)

I was thinking of having a different title for today's post. I had many choices to choose from: "The HHH Ride-Hot, Humid, Hilly", or "The Two Flats and a Tire Ride", or even "Where Did All These Blankety-Blank Hills Come From Ride". But if I had to give it a title which embodied the day I had on the road (with apologies to the "Hubble Gotcha" Guy on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon), I would title it "WEATHER GOTCHA, AGAIN!" For the second straight year, bad weather prematurely ended my ride day. I had completed the 70 mile main part of the ride and was ready to complete the 30 mile loop to get me my century. But as soon as I got to the finish point, the skies got dark, the lightning and thunder started and the heavens opened up and poured their raindrops on my dreams once again. Shazbot! Oh well. I will live to ride another century. Like tomorrow! :)

This is my friend Lauren.  She is from Montana and decided to celebrate a life changing event by participating in Bicycle Illinois.  Given we just happened to leave Cairo High School at the same time, we rode together for the early part of the stage.  I was able to keep up with her on the flats, but she dropped me like a bad habit when we got to the hills. So as I am meandering about the southern Illinois countryside, I come upon Lauren on the side of the road with a flat back tire.  So I stop and help her change the tube and we start rolling again.  Not five minutes later, Pssst!  Another flat back tire!  This time we checked the tire and discover a slice in the tread.  Luckily, Lauren carried a new folding tire with her so I helped her change the tube and the tire.  She has now used up all of her bad karma and will not have anymore flats the rest of the ride!  She thanked me profusely and I told her it was no big deal and I was glad to help.



To "Hill of Death" or not to "Hill Death"?  That was the question for me today.  The "Hill of Death" is a 26% grade incline at mile 60. Last year being new to the ride, I chose the "EZ" route you see to the left.  Today, with much forethought (and prodding from some of my fellow participants) I chose "H".  OMG!! It was like the Serendipity hill in Barrington on crack!  But I conquered it!!  Although I stopped three times, I never walked my bike up any part of it.  So what I didn't get a century today.  I rode the "Hill of Death"!


All in all, it was a great day.  Tomorrow, stage two has us leaving Carbondale for the little hamlet of Centralia.  I'll talk to you then.

Gravel!
Gary

"The bicycle is the noblest invention of mankind." --William Saroyan