Stage 5-Champaign to Kankakee

Ride Stats:

Distance: 101.30 mi (163.02 km)
Ride Time: 8:37:44
Avg Speed:  11:74 mph (18.89 km/h)

Stage Highlights:
--IT'S FREAKIN' HOT!
--Good Samaritan
--Bicycle Illinois Family Day

This is in front of our hotel, the Illini Union as we started out this morning on the way to Kankakee.  From left to right is Donna, Peggy, Lisa, your humble blogger, Gloria and Amelia.  Folks, it was HOT today!  The thermometer reached 100 degrees while we were out on the road.  Unfortunately, Gloria was not able to finish the ride due to the heat.  Don't worry, she's fine now.  As for me, It was a loooong day.  It's been a while since I've ridden in this type of heat.  But I survived and completed my second consecutive century on this trip.

Today proves how kindhearted strangers can be.  This afternoon, my riding partners at the time Mary and Amelia, were taking shade breaks at every opportunity due to the heat.  In one, we just happened to be under a large tree in front of a home when we heard a voice say "Are you all right?  Do you need some water?"  As it turns out, the voice belongs to Laura pictured to your left.  She lives in Chebanse, IL.  She brought out ice for us to add to our water bottles, offered the use of her pool and chairs for us to rest.  We declined on the pool and chairs (because if we didn't, we'd never leave) but did take her up on the ice for our water bottles. Thank you sooooo much Laura for your hospitality.  It was very much appreciated! :)

My family decided to come down to our ending point today in Kankakee to celebrate my Bicycle Illinois adventure.  This is my sister Debbie who made the trip despite returning from Las Vegas at 12:30 AM this morning!  Thanks for the support, Debbie! :)

This is my great-nephew Kyle who also made the trip down.  It's never too early to start 'em on the joys of cycling!















Tomorrow sees the final stage of Bicycle Illinois take place as we ride a "victory lap" from Kankakee to Downtown Chicago.  It will be bittersweet as this is the final stage of the 2010 tour.  It's been tremendous and I wish it wouldn't end.  Oh well.  Once can dream and hope! :)

Stopping!
Gary

"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, quite so worthwhile as simply messing about on bicycles." --Tom Kunich