Day 43: BBQ

We were all able to enjoy a nice morning of sleeping in and hanging around the Hegde pool, in an attempt to even out our ever present tan lines. I also managed to squeeze in a little run, getting as close as a foot to a deer, pretty amazing.

Mrs. Hegde made some amazing Indian food for lunch as we continued to catch some much needed rest and relaxation.

The group hung around all day anticipating the BBQ that would ensue that night. The food and company was amazing, a gathering of all Shane's friends and their families. There was always someone to talk to, someone asking questions about the ride, and tons of new faces to meet. The excitement in peoples' voices and their enthusiasm when they're talking with you really fuels our motivation to keep going, knowing there is so much support behind us, whether we're aware of it or not.

Overall, it was a great day. It's great to meet the other riders' friends and families and to see them in their element.

Day 42: Goodbye Indiana, Hello Michigan, Goodbye Michigan, Hello OHIO

We were in 3 states today, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Craziness. So I suppose Ohio is our 10th state (11th if you count our detour to South Dakota)! I actually saw a live turtle and frog today, not just ones stuck to the road. So that was refreshing. Overall it was a nice ride today scenery wise and weather wise. Passed through some interesting areas, including a golf cart friendly community and a bunch of Amish neighborhoods. There were horse and buggies and everything. They all waved which was nice, lots of nice, friendly faces waving as you pass by. Of course I waved back.

We also passed some really cool barns and farms. At our stop for lunch the decision was made somehow that we would go to Toledo, even though we decided it was a no-go last night. Personally I thought it was too late to make that call at 3:30 pm with over 85 miles to go, but we kept trucking. I kinda figured I wouldn't make it before dark keeping the pace I was at and still taking a few pictures, so I fell just shy of the total mileage, clocking in 125. It was a loooooong day, but it is nice being at a house, especially since it's Shane's house, and I can appreciate how nice it is to be home.

On another note, I finally got another picture of a state sign. They've been MIA the past few states and I've missed getting their pictures!!! That's one of the best parts!

So now we'll have 2 rest days in Toledo, relaxing with another rider's family and friends.

Day 41: Goodbye Illinois, Hello Indiana

It started seriously storming around midnight last night and kept storming through a good chunk of the day. We were headed to South Bend, IN, our 8th state. But once again the storms forced us into the van and off the bikes. I said Matt Sheehan must be bad luck, both times we have stayed with him we've had storms, but of course I was just kidding. Matt is hosting us again, as he goes to Notre Dame Law School. So we eventually got to South Bend after trying to wait out the storms, but to no avail.

It eventually cleared up, but didn't leave us with enough time to make up all the miles, so we all took a bike tour around the town and around campus. I ended up watching a Lacrosse game on the practice football field for awhile until I met up with Matt, who gave me a real tour of campus and of the Law Buildings.

Touchdown Jesus.

I also went for a run to let off some steam from a frustrating day and to get a workout in. I think I'm going to start my running schedule back up since our days are generally getting shorter mileage wise and we have more rest days built in for the East Coast. I also need to start my training for the Chicago Marathon, which is in a little less than 3 months!

After we were all cleaned up, we headed to an Irish Pub type restaurant called Fiddler's Hearth. It had great food and live entertainment, so that keep us entertained for the night. The idea of going to Toledo tomorrow was tossed out there, but we decided against it considering it was somewhere in the range of 150+ miles.

Day 40: CUBS WIN

Today we went to the Cubs game, and they actually won. I was born and raised a Cubs fan, anything else was pretty much unacceptable in my family. The atmosphere is great though, and the games are always a good time, win or lose. I'm pretty sure Mike was in culture shock by how many people were filing off the EL at the Addison stop and the masses of people swarming Wrigleyville. It is a very, very cool experience (in my opinion). Luckily we had seats in the shade and didn't roast in the sun all day.

The EL Stop.

It's Harry Caray again!

The game started off with a home run with 2 more to follow in the next few innings. It was a Cubs vs. Cardinals game, big rivalry so lots of red and blue attire mixed together in the stadium today. Ernie Banks sang the 7th inning stretch too, so that was pretty sweet.

My brother Grant and I.

After the game, we hiked down to The Wiener Circle, a famous hot dog place. It's famous for its late night rowdiness and purposefully rude service. And I think it has a great Chicago style hot dog as well. Then we caught the train back and conked out for the ride home. Another great and exhausting day.

Definitely dragged my feet packing back up when we got back home.

Day 39: The Windy City

Today the group trekked into The Windy City, Chicago. We did a ton of sightseeing and touristy things, jamming a bunch of attractions into one day. We started off at Navy Pier, checking out Lake Michigan and all the sail boats, as well as the millions of kiosks. Then we made our way to Michigan Avenue, "The Magnificant Mile." This is essentially a mile of some of the most well known and best shopping around. We chose to hit up Niketown and were surprised to find a new line entitled 6.0 and it's BMX team of promoters doing an appearance. Kinda crazy in there. And now they have the Nike ID, make your own shoes, in the store!

Of course we needed to fuel our bodies as usual, so we devoured a few of Chicago's Gino's East Deep Dish Pizzas. SOOOO GOOOOOD. Then we headed over to Millennium Park to visit the legendary Bean sculpture and the interacting face buildings, among a bunch of other installations.

After some downtime people watching, we wandered over to the Sears Tower (now Willis Tower). They have a Skydeck where you can see the whole city from the 103rd floor. They also recently build The Ledge, a few clear jutouts you can walk out on and view the area from a different perspective. The whole thing is really well done and has a bunch of history and Chicago facts along the way. You can spend a lot of time up there.

Holy Cow, its Harry Caray

The tower is 262 Jordans tall.

After the Skydeck, everyone kinda went their own way for the night, visiting family and friends from the Chicago area. So Mike and I jumped on the EL and the subway to catch up with some of my teammates and roommates in Wicker Park. I was soooo happy and excited to see everyone. Shout out to Shlee (and a big thanks for the bagels and cereal!), Slevs, Jenny, Kerry, Melon, Fish, Heather, TH, and Nicoletti. Sorry that probably doesn't really mean much to most of you, but their company is one of the best things in the world, especially when you throw desserts in there.

Great, jam packed day. And once again, I'm probably more tired after a rest day. But we keep on trucking.

On another note, a 2nd HUGE THANKS goes to Mr. Tom Parisi of the Batavia Sun for doing an awesome update article, which convientiently came out yesterday when we rolled into Batavia. Click here to check it out! (Another front page spot!)

Day 38: Home Sweet Home

SOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOD TO BE HOOOOOOOOOOOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know if I've ever biked faster than today. I was so excited. We were going through Yorkville, Oswego, I know these places! The ride was a good one, up 6 to 71 to 25. My dad, the birthday man, met up with me for the last leg into town. We cruised around on the prairie path back to our house clocking in 65 more miles.

I had a surprise visitor waiting as well, my grandma! And lots more visitors throughout the night. Some of my best friends, Morgan, Frank, and Garrett came over for some BBQ and bonfire fun, as well as one of my roommates Jenny! We also had some other family over as well. A huge thanks to my parents, brothers, friends, and family for all their support and help!

We took Mike's bike to the shop for a new chain, and I gave him a little tour of Batavia. The rest of the group was occupied for about 4 hours trying to pick up Zane, who for some reason decided to bike to/ended up at the Sears Tower (Willis Tower). So that was interesting.

After dinner, most of the bunch headed to the famous Chicago Premium Outlet mall, while the rest of us enjoyed a magic show courtesy of Mike. If I've never mentioned it before, Mike is a legitimate magician. No joke. He pretty much blew everyone's minds and had everyone laughing for quite some time.

It was an amazing night and we have lots more to come with our rest days in Chicago. Sightseeing tomorrow and maybe some Chicago Deep Dish Pizza!

Day 37: Goodbye Iowa, Hello Illinois

Before heading out of the Quad Cities we had to make a pit stop at the John Deere Pavilion, which also helped us wait out the storms again. Matt kept reminding me that this was actually in Illinois now, not Iowa. But I think the bunch enjoyed trying out the equipment, especially Jason, the New York City boy. This was just one of the monstrosities that the pavilion had to offer. It fit all 7 of us in the bucket.

With the storms passed and the day looking promising, we started our trek to Peru, IL. The day ended up at 80 miles, ending the the wonderful Slevin house. The Slevins were so helpful and so many people helped us out when we were in town. The church made us dinner and breakfast and was very welcoming. We then stayed at the PADS Shelter, which is closed for the summer, but was specially opened for us. A huge thanks to them for all their planning and work for us!

The ride was awesome and it was so weird at the same time. It was weird starting to pass through familiar towns, or at least towns that I had heard of before. I am getting sooooo close to home.

Love the land of Lincoln. Good to be in my state again. Didn't really expect to be this excited!