Day 1 - ending at London Mills, IL - Tri-points on the Tri-speed

May 14, 2013

Day 1 - ending at London Mills, IL

rode on River Trail of Illinois

Before even starting, I was overwhelmed with a multitude of prayers, blessings, gifts, and reminders to "Be safe!" To all of you: Thanks! I'll be careful.

Got up at 5:00am with hopes of leaving around 8:00am. Didn't quite make that, since I took time to enjoy the breakfast my wife had made for me.

I was on my way at 8:44am. A downhill start for me on the River Trail of Illinois to East Peoria. Stopped at the Fon du lac Park Office area at 9:42am for a break by their caboose. Made it through Peoria road construction on Jefferson Street and over to a painted green bicycle path on IL-116.

At 11:15am I was in Bellevue. Took a break in some shade by the road a little later. Made it to Hanna City at 12:48pm, and "The Hog Trof" by 1:00pm. Had coffee, tenderloin, and chips. Left at 1:55pm, after getting my water jug refilled.

Arrived at Trivoli city limits at 2:38pm, as I followed IL-116. Around 3:15pm, a car passed me, pulled off on a side road, and the driver got out. As I approached, he took my picture! His name is Frank Hubbell, and he's known as a "Vanishing Architecture Specialist". (He gives talks on outhouses.) I had fun visiting. We exchanged info, and I moved on.

I was slowing down - either from the heat, the south wind, or maybe because I hadn't trained for this trip. Finally, at 3:47pm, I was in Farmington. Stopped at McDonald's (for a shake and pie), and later the gas station McDonald's is attached to for a Gatorade. Went to a city park to drink the Gatorade.

Farmington is where I left IL-116, since it has no shoulder west of town. The wind-pushed ride north two miles was fun. But I had to turn west for my evening destination - London Mills. That's where I ran into dirt roads and some hills. Later roads and my condition improved (I think it was getting a little cooler). A few more down-and-ups, and I was on the road (050N) straight into London Mills. It got dark on me, so I turned on my flashers, and later, my headlight.

At 8:41pm, I was curving my way through London Mill streets. I passed a patrol car and got him to stop. I wanted to find out who to ask about camping in the park. He sent me to a city maintenance shed to talk to someone else. That person said it would be OK with him, but others would complain, since camping isn't allowed in the park. I should have checked ahead of time on this! I was getting ready to move on, but then thought I'd better let those at home know where I was. So I stopped at Spoonie's Bar and Grill to type an email. After hearing some about my trip, the bartender offered his own backyard for my tent. I accepted, and am set up for camping in London Mills, thanks to the kindness of a stranger.

Jeff

------------

Spent: $6.19 plus $2 tip (lunch) + $4.14 (shake and pie) + $1.80 (Gatorade) + $2.50 plus $7.50 tip (beer) = $24.13.

Day 1 - Morton, IL to London Mills, IL

Heart

Comment

Link

+ plus signs indicate pictures added after returning home from the trip +