Good early start to the day. I popped another spoke towards the end of the
day yesterday, and when I took off this morning I did another! Bike still
rides, however it is not comfortable.
The weather has also turned much colder. I’ve been riding the whole trip
with a t-shirt and a thick cotton collared shirt, my long pants, and of
course my sandals. From time to time I would throw on the fleece pullover.
Today, I spend nearly the entire day in it. It’s getting cold!
That's Wisconsin corn there, Maynard. The
sign is also featured on the GITride t-shirt.
After the
debacle with the closed bike store in Savanna, I am reluctant to go out of
my way to find a bike shop. I’ve traveled about 50 miles today and what is
in the middle of the trail?
I mean, If I
did not bend with the trail, I would have run smack into this bike shop in
Crystal Lake. At first, I ride by, thinking “I’ve got this licked, why not
just finish?” Then I come to my senses and after about 300 feet, I turn the
bike around and went in. They overcharged, under delivered, lacked
professional knowledge, and were rude; but I got the bike fixed and was
still under budget. With the bike repaired, I rode hard.
Riding a bike without the rear
wheel drag was amazing, I was getting at least 50% increase in average speed. The bike just glided over hills.
Oh. My. God. How did I put up with
that for over half of this trip?
I put about 10-15 miles behind me to find this perfect lake side camp. The area had been impacted by fishermen, but
by the overgrowth, had not been used for at least a month. I am certain it
is the best campsite of the trip. Tomorrow I am going to punch through downtown Chicago, and
figure I have about 120 miles left.
Can I finish this in one day with the new wheel?
END DAY 8: Capron to Elgin
Route: GIT Clockwise
Stayed At: a nice little side path off the trail outside Elgin IL
Total Miles 65.3
Total Time 8:29:43
Average Speed 7.7
Maximum Speed 29.5
