The day started by leaving JJs Camping in Mount Pleasant, IA at 6 where we stocked up on cereal bars after making a much needed trip to the ATM in a local garage. We churned through 25 miles into the wind to Burlington where we had a great breakfast at Perkins restaurant. Following this we got ready to set off when Ben took off his fleece to reveal a new cycling jersey. This was big news. It has green and yellow hoops on the bottom half and a royal blue top, sporting a custom motif with the words "Bike Bognor" printed across the chest and back. A complete bargain at £4 delivered from eBay.
Four miles later saw us crossing the Mississipi river and straight into our seventh state of our journey, Illinois. We enjoyed the view of the river and carried on towards Roseville, IL 35 miles away. We arrived about 1 and ate at the local bowling alley/cafe hybrid. A local place for local people that included an Amish man and his Amish son who were dressed identically in elastic denim dungarees and a straw hat and a group of old lunchers who all held hands and prayed for a few minutes before eating their burgers.
We rolled out of town to start another 35 miles to Farmington IL. Nothing really major to report other than there's a lot of corn in the mid west. We got to Farmington and pulled into Scapecchi's Supper Club where we got fed again and spent the time there talking to Jene and Kris, the couple that owned it. We asked the best route to take through Peoria our next destination and they helped us out, aswell as offering us a gun as we'd be going through the ghetto. Lovely stuff.
So we hit the road for our final stint of the day, 28 more miles. We were making good time and had stopped for a cereal bar break at 7pm with about 8 miles left to go. Then followed another trip first. With thanks to a 3 inch nail Tom entered the puncture league fray in sensational style as Jack and Ben cycled off in the distance. It was 2 miles down the road when a motorcyclist Tom had flagged down gave them the news they'd have to turn around with the tyre levers to change inner tube number 15 of the trip. Inbetween a family on their way to eat out gave Tom a lift to where Jack and Ben where and offered to let us use the equipment in his shop to change the tyre. Tim Menefee and his wife and daughter offered to eat with them but we had to get on and make it to the end of our 125 mile day in East Peoria so we declined gratefully and changed the tyre as quick as possible
We cycled through downtown Peoria very quickly and checked into Motel6 to hit the sack after a long day after cycling around some dodgy areas in the dark, good times.
106 miles planned for tomorrow, keep reading for more frolicks blog fans.
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Well, there you go, seeing some of the great spots of America. I will get Connie to write you tomorrow. By the way did you hear about the bloke who died this week from an allergic reaction to an insect bite, better keep yourself covered Jack, might want to keep the bike upright also. "Known for building skate parks and shaping the skateboarding scene in New York, Andy Kessler, 48, died this week after an allergic reaction to an insect sting, friends and family told news media. Keep on pedaling."The Murphy’s @ Lyman KOA
ReplyDeleteAn analysis of the writing styles of the three bike-ateers by Chris Peel:
ReplyDeleteFirst off and most prominant in the forefront of our reading is Jack. Jack has a solid, "type it like you see it" style. And what he lacks in structure, he more than makes up for with content and hard hitting facts. Jack's style of writing is immediatly noticable by the glaring (and perhaps purposeful) errors in spelling - this has become somewhat of a trademark.
Tom on the other hand is quite the contrast to Jack. Whereas the facts don't come across quite as clear, it is a pleasure to read his blogs, often riddled with textbook cliches and hidden quotes for the most avid blog-fan. 10/10 for structure.
My favourite blogger is by far and away Ben, although seldom posted, you can immediately tell a Ben because it has nothing to do with the journey. It is usually about an animal he saw or something funny he thought of. Perhaps obviously, the reason that this has become such a hit with the dedicated followers of this site can be put down to its sheer randomness. Great posts breaking up the monotany of hard hitting journalism from the other two.
Apologies if my spelling is off on this one, I'm sure I don't need to point out the irony if my SPAG isn't up to scratch.
Great blog but a couple of requests - more shout outs and more details about the american bankability levels.
Jack is just representing all the dyslexic spaz's out there! Keep it up
ReplyDeletefirst time i have ever read a blog boys, cant wait till the next puncture its been far to long. My moneys on Ben to take the title by the end of the journey. Common NFL if you pot your mind to it you can do it!
Thanks gareth, my poor spelling and grammar is just a hidden layer of news about the trip which descibes how hard the days cycle was, bad spelling = hard day
ReplyDeleteJack