Day 22, May 15, 2011, Springfield, IL to Tuscola, IL

78 miles and 900 feet of climbing.  The Midwest welcomed us to its month of May today.  The forecast was spot on.  It was a grey, dreary day with moderate drizzle, winds out of the north and a chilly 45 degrees.  Everyone was glad that it was a short day.  It was particularly tough on the gazelles.  Nothing worse than a bundled up gazelle, that is chilled and dripping wet.  My quick review of the forecast suggests that we can expect more of the same for the next several days.  Overall I had a good day.  Legs felt real heavy in the morning, from the day off but by lunch time I was spinning thru the wetness.  Because it was a short day we did not leave until 9:00 am.  I arrived in Tuscola around 3 after spending about 5 hours on the bike at 15 mph avg.. When I arrived at the motel I actually had to tell the clerk who I was!!  After moving my stuff into the room my next stop was the hot tub.  Nothing better than a 15 minute soak in 104 degree water to force the chill out of you.  Tomorrow we press on down the road 123 miles to Lebanon, Indiana.

If you look closely at my head you can see my tan stripes where the sun gets thru my helmet.  I kind of like it as I always wanted to braid my hair in corn rows!!