Day 22 Sunday June 12, 2005, 40 miles (64 km) – Total so far: 1,220 miles (1,964 km)
40 miles
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My bike computer kept crapping out because of the rain.
John the firefighter woke me up at 6am. I laid around until 6:30. I knew it was raining because it was extra hard getting myself vertical. I did some yoga stretches before I stood up. The firefighters gave me some brownies that I can eat while I ride today. I quickly cleaned up and got myself together so I can get back on the bike. It was raining pretty hard. I said thanks to the firefighters. It really meant a lot to me that they let me stay there last night. They were all great guys.
I wasn’t riding very far today. My plan was to ride the 40 miles to Carbondale, get into a motel and out of the rain, work on my journal, run some errands and get my bike to the bike surgeon on Monday at 10am. I was thinking about taking Monday off and not riding. But I have a lot of stuff to do before I can make that decision.
I grabbed a cup of coffee and a muffin for breakfast at a gas station in Harrisburg. Everyone at the gas station looked at me like I was crazy for riding bikes in this weather. When I got on the bike I rode pretty fast. The terrain is flat, flat and flat. Very similar to Long Island. I put my bike in a high gear and stayed there all day. Black Sabbath played in the iPod while riding through the rain.
All the motorcycles rode out on the same road as me. None of those guys were prepared for the rain. It seemed like I was moving just as fast as they were because they kept having to stop. The same guy in overalls and t-shirt rode past me 3 times today. I’m glad I’m not one of them. Those guys didn’t look like they were having fun.
As soon as I passed the sign that said ‘Carbondale City Limits’ I thought to myself how glad I am to finally be here. 3 minutes after I passed that sign I popped 2 spokes. I laughed and yelled. I can’t believe I made it this far before the wheel fell apart anymore. It was raining really hard so I didn’t fiddle with it too much. I loosened and tightened some spokes to help balance the load and I loosened my brakes. The wheel is pretty screwed up but I rode into town. I don’t care anymore. Someone told me where the bike shop was located and I checked into a motel that’s about ½ a mile away.
I’m so relieved I made it here.
I checked into the motel, took of all the wet clothes took a shower and 2 hour nap. I woke up and went to the BBQ place across the parking lot from my motel. I sat by the window and watched some guy stand on a street corner in the rain holding a sign saying that K-mart is having a going out of business sale. He looked miserable, I hope they are paying that guy well.
I went back to the motel room and worked on all my backed up journal entries. I decided to go find some beer. I was informed there was a liquor store 1 block away. But I couldn’t find it so I asked some guy in a Kentucky Fried Chicken where it was. Some thugged out teenager who was hanging around got really excited and told me ‘I know where every liquor store is in Carbondale!’ and proceeded to tell me where to go to buy some beer.
I’m tired; I’m going to sleep early. Tomorrow is going to be a big day. I’m moving to the campground tomorrow. I can’t afford 2 nights in a motel.
I didn’t take one picture today cause of the rain. And it’s a shame because the road I was riding on was rather scenic. The dark clouds were gorgeous.
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Click Here to Visit Previous Page: Day 21: Utica KY to Harrisburg IL
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