Tuesday morning, I set out on my adventure, decked out in rain gear. My fenders did their work wonderfully (though one of the supports has since come loose, and I may be unable to fix it till I find a bike shop), and with my rain jacket and waterproof shoe covers on, I managed to stay dry everywhere other than from my ankles to my hips, and my face and hands. Fortunately it's stayed reasonably warm
That first day I went about fifty miles before making it to my predetermined first stop, a tiny town called Troy Grove. The only non-residential building I could find was a little bar called The Grove, so I went on in, ordered a ham sandwich, and waited. Finishing the sandwich, and wondering how I might go about finding a place to sleep, I asked God to open a door. In walks a man named Greg and takes the seat next to me at the bar. We each ordered our beer of choice, and got to talking a bit. I told Greg my story of course, all about the trip that's planned, and he seemed genuinely impressed and inspired, and told me multiple times that he was proud of me for doing it. Really nice guy. Didn't feel totally comfortable inviting me into his home (which I assured him was totally fine), but he did buy me my second beer, and gave me some money. He tried to give more before leaving but I insisted he keep it. Before heading out I took his photo, and printed it out on my little Instax SP-1, which he was amazed by.
Greg and Hannah, the bartender, helped me figure out a course to a motel nearby, which worked out wonderfully. If I had stayed with Greg, I would have been about eight miles back east, but because I stayed at the Super 8 I ended up as many miles further north, and that much closer to my destination, which is where I am as I write this.
On top of that, there was a McDonald's next door to the motel, so I walked over there and ordered my usual twenty piece chicken nugget, and made conversation with the girls working there. Apparently they loved the story, or my demeanor, or something, because they gave me in addition to my nuggets, a free smoothie, cookies, two personal pies, and a muffin. (I ate the pies and muffin for breakfast the next morning.)
So then I headed out. I'm spending today with a couple of old family friends, Eric and Tina, who live just north of Rockford. Eric has known my dad since they were kids, and says that apart from his parents and his wife, my dad is the closest friend he's ever had, and I'm more than welcome in his home. I got here yesterday around 4:30, after about sixty-five miles of riding. The last ten miles was definitely the worst stretch. Early on I had a lot of long flat roads, and was able to get into a rhythm, keeping a good pace without pushing myself too hard. But getting through Rockford and out into the suburbs had me dealing with more hills than I like, so I was pretty well worn out when I got to Eric and Tina's place.
So now I'm relaxing in an armchair, writing this, looking forward to some time spent reading, and having supper with my wonderful hosts. Tomorrow I leave for Madison, Wisconsin, where my cousin, who lived there for a few years and will be there this weekend, has got me a place to stay. So far, this trip is working out wonderfully. God is coming through, and I know He's going to do more than I could make up in my own head before the journey is finished.
So stay tuned, and subscribe if you haven't already!
Blessings,
— Joel