Before I get to Illinois, I need to mention a few of the things I think I've somehow overlooked (or at least I think I have). My rear tire blew out like 300 something miles ago in Indiana somewhere while I was illegally riding on a limited access portion of Hwy 30--you actually can't ride your bike on some highways in IN. Something completely devastated the sidewall and left me with a 1/2 inch gash and an unpatchable tube. I was willing to sacrifice a tube, but I couldn't afford to give up on the tire after only 800 miles when there was as much tread as there was left on it. So... the obvious solution was a business card and some moleskin, and I'm happy to say that the tire is still going strong and I plan on riding it until I can see the Kevlar lining.
Now for Illinois. As the title indicates I had a great time and met a lot of really amazing people during my past three days in IL. First, as I may have indicated in my last entry, I ended up staying at the Salvation Army halfway house in Pekin, IL. I can't stress how friendly and helpful the people were there. They fed me, gave me a place to sleep, provided me with a towel for a shower and even let me wash some clothes. The next morning I had an all you can eat pancake breakfast for $2.85 at a restaurant right next to the shelter--gotta love cheap food in these small towns (I had a $0.50 cup of coffee this morning). That day I went to a local bike shop and got a broken spoke replaced and got some lube put ont he bearings. However, I actually just broke another spoke and even though I bought some spares I can't get my cassette off to replace it (I'm going to try and see if I can make it another 330 miles to Lincoln, NE).
Later that day I got another freeby when another guy I met at a gas station hooked me up with a free burger, some fries, and a really awesome blizzard like thing. He and his wife own a restaurant in Bushnelle, IL called Dairy Den. Last night after the delicious dinner I slept in another public park in Blandinsville, IL.
As for the food promise I made in the last entry...Since I began I've eaten three 8 ounce tubs of peanut butter, four loafs of bread, a pound of salami, around a dozen pears and apples, about 20 bananas, a dozen hamburgers, and a whole lot of little debbies and other candy bars. I'm pretty sure that if anything I've actually put on a few pounds. I'll have to get on a scale at some point.
294 miles from where I'm at right now (Donnellson, IA) to Lincoln, NE, my next major city and bike shop. I'm thinking probably three and a half days and then I'll spend a half day in Lincoln resting and rebuilding my wheels getting ready for the next 500'ish miles to Fort Collins, CO.
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