Life is full of coincedences.

Day 27

Distance travelled: 75.3 miles
Time in saddle: 5hrs 52 mins
Overall distance; 2447 miles

I woke up this morning after great sleep in a luxurious bed to the sound of thunder. It then started to pour down. I wasn’t looking forward to starting off. I had a little trouble with my editing system last night and it took me ages to sort it so it was quite late when I finally got to bed. It was well past one o’clock. I finished putting the edited piece onto you tube this morning. Martha called in to see if I was OK, which I was. I eventually got all my things ready and went to say goodbye and thank them for a fantastic stay. I hate saying goodbye, especially after being made to feel so welcome. Martha cycled to the edge of town with me to make sure I made it out in the right direction….I’m always being escorted to the edge of town. Do you think they are trying to tell me something…only kidding? It was much appreciated you know what I am like for getting lost? A final goodbye and I was off. It had stopped raining but it was dull and still quite warm. At least the wind was sort of behind be, which made the start of the ride much easier. I wanted to see how far I could cycle get today but the chances were that I would have an early finish. I keep saying that but nearly always continue to do another few miles. Being with really nice people makes me really homesick…I can’t wait to be with the people I love and it drives me onward. I always thought that I would meet some really nice people on this trip but the reality has gone well beyond my expectation…thanks everyone for an amazing experience.
The rain came down again with a vengeance. It absolutely pored down and I got soaking wet. It doesn’t really bother me, you can only get so wet then it doesn’t matter. My Lycra soon dried off but my socks and shoes are soaking.
As I cycled past a small town called Hume I noticed a barbershop, just off the highway. It was away from the town and it was the only shop in the area. I went in and there were two guys sat in the shop, Jim, the barber and his friends Greg, both really nice guys. Jim did a really good job and I felt a lot tidier. Instead of brushing the hairs off in the traditional way he used an airline…, which worked a treat. As I rode away I hadn't realised that I had forgotten my cycle helmet. It was only when Greg, the guy in the shop pulled up in a car about three miles east on the 36 and handed the helmet to me...cheers Greg you are a gent.
As I rejoined the 36 going east I bumped into Geoff and Marsha. They were parked on the side of the road. They had pulled up after passing me on the highway. They were off to a wedding near Indianapolis. We had a chat and Geoff gave me a cold beer…the man is a godsend…. cheers Geoff you are a star. Bizarrely the place where I went for my haircut is Geoff’s regular barber…you couldn’t make it up could you…coincidences, amazing. Shortly after I crossed the border into Indiana. I was a little sad to be leaving Illinois, great countryside, great flat roads, fantastic people and some very fond memories.
I decided to stop at a place called Rockville for the night, a smallish town, but probably bigger than most I have been through over the few miles. I thought it was quite ironic after the release of my charity record...perhaps it will be a good omen. Please keep down loading the charity record.
Jo Warburton is having a 'brain storming session' on how to create support for the charity ride and how best to promote the sponsorship. If you would like to get involved in any way please email me and I will give you Jo's contact details. I'm back in motels after two fantastic days in people's houses. What a difference a day makes.....still it makes me appreciate the good times.