Day 33 – Porpoise pod.
Belvidere, Illinois to Morris, Illinois
Last night us four kiddos decided to set up beds a little further away at a smaller picnic table shelter away from the main group; we were not about being woken up to everyone else’s alarms and zippers at 4:30 a.m. again. Privacy and sleeping in was priority. Unfortunately, we got a little rain last night and our smaller picnic shelter was not quite as protected, but we got enough sleep. Today’s ride was a million turns again, and it doesn’t feel like you’re actually getting anywhere but in a circle, except that you are and before you know it you’ve gone 108 miles. It was another rainy morning, and it was warm enough that I just rode without a coat and just got wet.
Jody rode with us for a long time today, which was really nice. Naturally we stopped for some classy gas station coffee, and down the road we met up with Kelly. That strong woman rides everyday on an arm-cranked bike, and it’s so fun to see her out on the road. Jody had done some “off-route” riding with Kelly earlier in the trip, and when we caught up with her today, Jody encouraged us all to ride at least five miles with her at her pace. It was so wonderful. We all formed a little tunnel around her to serve as a wind guard, and it worked so well that her average speed of 11.5 mph was bumped up by 3 mph. And it was so fun, singing songs and talking with her. Jody told us about how porpoises form pods around birthing mothers to protect her and the newborn, and how we were Kelly’s porpoise pod. It was so inspiring. Even more inspiring: Kelly made the whole century today. Her first century. What a beautiful day. I tried her bike out this evening, and it was fun, but I couldn’t even fathom riding 100+ miles in a day.
About ¾ into the ride today we decided to stop at the subway, and after a little chat with the manager, were given free meals again. Subway sure has been good to us, three out of four times we’ve asked we’ve been given free meals. We were sitting there for a long time, when we noticed Bob ride by us, and when he saw all of our bikes lined up outside he did a lightning fast U-turn. He gave each of us hugs when he came in, he was so happy to come upon fellow riders after doing 20+ bonus miles from getting lost. Poor guy, on a century day as it were already. Bob rode the rest of the day with us, and we were definitely the last ones into camp with Floyd after our ride with Kelly and long rest at Subway. But we got to usher the pizza delivery men in for dinner.
Last night us four kiddos decided to set up beds a little further away at a smaller picnic table shelter away from the main group; we were not about being woken up to everyone else’s alarms and zippers at 4:30 a.m. again. Privacy and sleeping in was priority. Unfortunately, we got a little rain last night and our smaller picnic shelter was not quite as protected, but we got enough sleep. Today’s ride was a million turns again, and it doesn’t feel like you’re actually getting anywhere but in a circle, except that you are and before you know it you’ve gone 108 miles. It was another rainy morning, and it was warm enough that I just rode without a coat and just got wet.
Jody rode with us for a long time today, which was really nice. Naturally we stopped for some classy gas station coffee, and down the road we met up with Kelly. That strong woman rides everyday on an arm-cranked bike, and it’s so fun to see her out on the road. Jody had done some “off-route” riding with Kelly earlier in the trip, and when we caught up with her today, Jody encouraged us all to ride at least five miles with her at her pace. It was so wonderful. We all formed a little tunnel around her to serve as a wind guard, and it worked so well that her average speed of 11.5 mph was bumped up by 3 mph. And it was so fun, singing songs and talking with her. Jody told us about how porpoises form pods around birthing mothers to protect her and the newborn, and how we were Kelly’s porpoise pod. It was so inspiring. Even more inspiring: Kelly made the whole century today. Her first century. What a beautiful day. I tried her bike out this evening, and it was fun, but I couldn’t even fathom riding 100+ miles in a day.
About ¾ into the ride today we decided to stop at the subway, and after a little chat with the manager, were given free meals again. Subway sure has been good to us, three out of four times we’ve asked we’ve been given free meals. We were sitting there for a long time, when we noticed Bob ride by us, and when he saw all of our bikes lined up outside he did a lightning fast U-turn. He gave each of us hugs when he came in, he was so happy to come upon fellow riders after doing 20+ bonus miles from getting lost. Poor guy, on a century day as it were already. Bob rode the rest of the day with us, and we were definitely the last ones into camp with Floyd after our ride with Kelly and long rest at Subway. But we got to usher the pizza delivery men in for dinner.
posted by elizabeth at 5:27 PM
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