Cross Country Day 49: Pine Woods to Illinois Beach State Park

Today's biggest highlight was probably breakfast

Today wasn't an overly hard day. Just a long day. We left camp and headed towards what I can only describe as wooded suburbia. Lots of nice houses each tucked in their own woodlands. Breakfast was back along the Glacial Drumlin at Mamma D's in the town of Wales (yes all the town signs had the Welsh dragon on them) This place was great and apparently super popular with the regional cycling community. Bikes all over and people constantly coming and going. A lovely atmosphere and good coffee and food. A breakfast burrito was just what I needed.

Then it was mostly a trail day. We weren't going directly into Milwaukee, rather skirting through its suburbs. There was a pretty good trail network, though at times we were on various degrees of marked on street lanes. Rode about 5 miles or so with a guy named Steve. Steve is 68 and rides several times a week. He was doing his Saturday routine on a Sunday where rides 20 or so miles to Mamma D's to have breakfast with his wife. We had great conversation about some of the logistics of our trip. His biggest question was was there something that has surprised me. I answered that I can do it.

I'll be honest. I deal with imposter syndrome on a bike. Examples include but are certainly not limited to: didn't come to cycling till later, having an unconventional body type, and other "conditions/excuses/reasons". But I think how hard I've worked and home much I've achieved. 5 years ago I couldn't walk. I had a fall and slipped on a friends lawn fracturing my lower left tibia. Just like that the ability to take a single step was wrent from me. Part of my recovery journey has had me finding a bike. I still kind of wonder how lucky I was to find something that has brought me so much joy. Through riding a bike I have found new friends, my house, new relationships and so much more. I've lost weight and gained strength both physically and mentally. People often talk about 5 year plans. I don't think I could have imagined this one.

i rode with Jeff for most of afternoon and even got to our next state together. We even found a large field of peppers along the trail!

Hello Illinois! State 7

We are camping just into Illinois and right next to Lake Michigan. Supper was pizza ordered to the local bar. Now I love meeting people in their nerdoms and our bartender Connie is a giant motor head! She knew all the classic cars she wanted to purchase if she even won the lottery. She knew makes, models, years, and many other details. It was so fun to see her describe what made classic cars the best.

Tomorrow we head to Chicago. Over 2500 miles ridden so far. Rapidly approaching the 2/3rds mark

'till next time

-Matt