Stage 3-Centralia to Effingham

Ride Stats:

Distance: 86.61 (139.39 km)
Ride Time: 6:54:09
Avg: 12.55 mph (20.197 km/h)

Today's stage was a tough row to hoe as we traveled from Centralia to Effingham.  First of all, we were drenched by a torrential downpour about 20 minutes after we left our hotel this morning.  We got soaked!  There was no lightning or thunder, just rain which was a good thing.  We waited at the first rest stop until the rain dissipated and then continued our journey.  Secondly, once the clouds gave way to bright sunshine, it was HOT!! Not only hot but very humid.  I went through nine bottles of sports drink and/or water today.  However, the day got the better of me as I didn't reach my goal of doing a century.  I was really feeling down and disappointed when I remembered a similar situation at the 2006 America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride (AMBBR).  I was riding with the Illinois Cycle Team for Team-In-Training (TNT) when I had to end my ride day at 84 miles because I was so severely cramped, I couldn't get off my bike.  If I had never done that ride, I would have been OK with 84 miles.  However, I had completed that ride in 2004 and 2005.  I was devastated!  I didn't want to go to the post ride victory party nor accept my 100 mile pin from TNT because I did not complete the 100 miles.  My friend Nicole made me go to the party and had the foresight to get my 100 mile pin and give it to me.  Our head coach Dan knew of the situation and pulled me aside for a chat.  He said everyone is entitled to a bad day and you just happened to have yours today.  Don't worry about it and revel in what you have accomplished.  As soon as I remembered that day, my whole attitude changed and I was fine with today's events.  I had a BAD day today.  So what!  I will climb back on my bike tomorrow and try it again!  WOOHOO!

However, it wasn't all doom and gloom.  For the second year in a row, the route went through my county today.  This is actually a cardboard cutout of me warmly welcoming people to my county.  I also have a cutout of me shaking my fist at riff-raff I don't want in my county.  Like carnies.  Circus people.  They scare me! :)

Stage 4 will find us on the campus of the University of Illinois tomorrow as we travel to Champaign-Urbana from Effingham.  It's gonna be hot and humid tomorrow so I'll make sure to keep very hydrated!  See you tomorrow! :)







Keep the rubber side down,
Gary

"Ride lots." --Eddy Merckx