Long Second Day

Well, I am safely in Flora, Illinois. I didn't take the Interstate after all and stayed on US 32 and US 50. I got out early to try and get as far as possible before the weather front came through. I almost made Cincinnati, 30 miles short, when the rain started. Luckily there was a Mac's right off the road, and I ducked in to shelter as the skies let loose.

This is my baby in Mac's parking lot.

This is the first time my bike has been wet since I have owned it. I have done some wiring work so I did want to know that everything was properly waterproof. Everything worked perfectly. No problems.

I killed about an hour and then it let up. I got into my rain gear and took off. So the first day's challenge was the the road, the second day's challenge was riding in rain. I did beautifully both times. The ride through Cincinnati was slow, but I was just as glad as I didn't want to go quickly on the wet pavement. My rear wheel did get loose once or twice on highway ramps. It took all my concentration to ride well. The rain lasted until I got all the way through Cincinnati and into Indiana. There it started to dry out. Actually I selected US 50 out of Cincinnati so that I wouldn't have to ride at speed and deal with all the spray from trucks. It proved the right choice.


The remainder of the ride though Indiana and into Illinois was relaxed and easy,  speed's of 55-65 miles an hour and very little traffic. In those conditions my bike is coasting. There were lots of little towns, farms, and the some gently winding roads through woodlands.

The first  day I did, 345 miles(555 km), the second day 394 miles(634 km). That leaves 385(619 km) for tomorrow to Lawrence, Kansas. Since I have seen much of Missouri on previous trips I will take I70 from St Louis to Kansas City. The ride should be much quicker. With fortune on my side tomorrow I complete the first major leg.

Link to route from Flora to Lawrence