The Roving Reporter
Day 6 of cycle mania
Posted by: Amy Reiter
Saturday, July 12, 2008 11:30 PM
Cycling to Willard Airport this morning wasn't so much tough as longer than anticipated. Either I'm slower than I thought or some distances -- generally those I've only traveled by car -- are farther away. I'm guessing both. If I bicycle for work after this, I need to allow a little more time until I get a sense of my own average pace -- or speed up.Either way, the most notable part of the trip was the water everywhere. I saw giant puddles on the streets, rushing streams filling any indentations and fields so soaked they looked better suited to rice than corn or soybeans. When I talked to a farmer about the water a few weeks ago, he mentioned that it was nearly the end of the window to plant, and already too late for the best yield.
I got a ride with a photographer out to an interview in Bement, which looked like a fun bike ride for someone in much better shape than I am at this point. I'm hoping sometime soon I can carve out some weekend time for a country bicycle ride, maybe not all the way to Bement, but St. Joseph, Tolono or Mahomet seem like good starter goals.
On the way home from work today, I cycled in the rain. I didn't see lightning or thunder, and the warm weather made for a fairly pleasant ride, despite -- or maybe because of -- the slow drizzle.
Mileage: 7.5 miles
Comments
I rode out to Bement Friday ... and it *is* fun if you're in shape (though it was a little warm for my liking).
Some places are further than they seem - I think the airport's one of 'em.
There are nice routes to Sadorus
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1192840
The first is http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=315763. - it's a "Philo-SIdney" route. Goes by nice horse farms; the mile into Philo is a bit busy so you can go one more mile and then turn left (East?). There's a Casey's in each town.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=315819 is an eastbound route to St. Joseph, home of the GOlden Mine restaurant (and a Daairy Queen near the interestate). I may be one block too far SOuth in St. oe for the Golden Mine, but I don't think so.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=315834 will take you through Tolono. This particular route takes you past the Freedom Station in Tolono, tho' you ccan also continue on 1200 (First STreet) South another mile and cutting across town on the South end. Coming North on 900 (Duncan Road), there is at the corner of ... hmmm... 1000? I think... on the right hand side, there's a water pump in the corner of a field which a cyclist's relation is pleased to let us use.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=315834 is in the same direction but continues to take in the town of Sadorus; when you turn NOrth you'll go by a baseball park on the right (just after crossing the train tracks) that has bathrooms or something close to it. (If I remember right, the water from the fountain is nasty, though.)
Posted by Geonz on July 14, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Oops, that's what I get for cutting and pasting. There's no more Golden Mine right now ... El Toro East has American breakfasts.
Posted by Geonz on July 14, 2008 at 11:24 AM
I had one of those American breakfasts at El Toreo. Spicy pancakes, spicy eggs had me thinking maybe they didn't clean the grill.
Posted by tevans on July 26, 2008 at 1:20 PM
