Stage 6-Kankakee to Chicago

Ride Stats:

Distance: 83.17 mi (133.94 km)
Ride Time: 6:30.25
Avg: 12.78 mph (20.57 km/h)

Today's ride from Kankakee to Chicago was a celebratory ride much like the last stage of the Tour De France.  It was nice and easy with very little climbing and picturesque views of the Chicago skyline.  It was a reward for all of the hard work we put into this journey.  There was lots of laughter (and a tear or two from your humble blogger).  It was a fitting end to a terrific six day odyssey through the state of Illinois.  Just like last year, I started feeling sad as we approached Northerly Island knowing once we reached our destination, Bicycle Illinois 2010 would be over.  I tempered those feelings with the great memories I have of the tour-memories I will carry with me for a lifetime! 

Here are my total stats for the week:

Distance: 553.17 mi (890.24 km)
Ride Time: 41:53:20
Avg: 13.30 mph (21.40 km/h)

Pictured from left to right are Cole Bates, Bicycle Illinois Staff member, Rob Layton, Bicycle Illinois Owner and Ride Director and Bill Watson, Bicycle Illinois Staff member.  These three gentlemen oversaw the entire Bicycle Illinois operation and in my opinion did a FANTASTIC job! 

Bill, thank you for the great rest stops.  The food available for us, the music selection and the daily trivia question and/or surveys you conducted were terrific!

Cole, thank you for the route markings, especially the ones when a detour was necessary.  They were very clear and easy to follow.  And also thank you for the smiley faces and other messages you left for us.  You don't know how much they meant at the end of a long stretch of road!

Rob, thank you for for another great adventure through Illinois.  I am honored to have participated in this adventure for two straight years and I have had a BLAST both times because of your hard work!

A toast to my fellow participants.  When this adventure started back on July 10th, we were, for the most part, strangers.  Leave it to the power of a bicycle to break down those walls and allow us to learn a lot about each others lives, hopes and dreams.  It was an honor and a privilege to ride with each of you during the week.  I am proud to call all of you my friends!  So to Jim O., Lauren, Liz, Lisa, Leo, Tim, Peggy, Donna, Amelia, Gloria, Mary, Bruce, Ray, Jim & Fran and Kathleen, I love you all!  CHEERS!

I would also like to express my thanks to the following people:

--Peter Barson at Campbell Street Bicycle Shop in Arlington Heights, IL for getting my bike ready to traverse the state of Illinois.
--Rachel Erlichman of Able Bodies Training in Buffalo Grove, IL for getting my body ready to ride the entire state of Illinois.
--Susan Sheffer for getting up at 3:15 AM to have me down at the starting point by 5:00 AM and for picking me up at the end of the event.
--My sister Deborah and great nephew Kyle for coming to the Kankakee ending point and getting a glimpse of my cycling world and understanding why I spend soooo much time on a bike.

And a special thanks to Lem & Charlaine, my mom and dad.  I am appreciative, honored and humbled at all of the love and support you have shown me throughout all of my cycling adventures.  Thank you soooooo much from the bottom of my heart! :)

Finally, to all of you who read this blog.  Thank you! I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

And with that, Bicycle Illinois 2010 has come to a close.  I'll see you out on the road.  Hopefully on a bike!

Keep the rubber side down!
Gary

"Cycling is the spot of usefulness." --Fred DeLong