Day 45 – July 18 – Kewanee, IL to Pontiac, IL – 97 Miles

Our goal for the day was Pontiac, IL and it would be a challenge in the heat.  We figured nearly 100 miles and we could deviate from the Adventure Cycling route to shave off a few miles.  Barb had planned to drive up from Champaign and spend the evening with us.

We got our start at 7:00 and were  soon making our way thru the corn and soybean fields. The wind was still.  We rolled east making good time.  The terrain was mostly flat with an few dips for creek beds and small rivers.

Our first stop was at Casey’s in the town of Bradford.  Just after pulling in a group of cyclists followed us in.  These were the first touring cyclists we’d seen for few days.  They were also headed eastbound.  The four had grown up together in Lancaster, PA, attended the same church and were riding to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity.  They had started on the coast of Oregon, south of Seaside, and were freelancing their route across the U.S. to Delaware.

Our lunch stop for the day would be Henry, IL on the Illinois River.  At the local Subway we again met up the Habitat for Humanity cyclists.  It was approaching 11:00 and the temperature and humidity were starting to build.  It was early for lunch, but there were no prospects for another larger town with more choices.  We took our time eating and cooling down before going back into the heat.  Less than a block from the store I experienced my first flat tire of the trip.  Fortunately we were able to pull onto the fire station lawn under a shade tree and make the change.  We located the hole in the tube but whatever had penetrated the tire was gone.  Upon inspecting the tire, we noticed several deep cuts.  I had apparently been very fortunate not to have had a flat before.  As it happens we were meeting Barb in Pontiac, and she was bringing a new set of tires for each of us, we would be replacing it soon.

Leaving Henry and the Illinois River valley, there was a steep long climb.  It was entirely out in the hot sun.  By this time it was nearly 1:00 and the sun was at its peak.  At the top of the climb we took refuge on a front lawn under a shade tree for about 15 minutes before moving on.  The next 10 miles proved to be difficult.   Varna was the next town and our ACA maps only showed a grocery and a post office as services.  The roads consisted of tar with rock chip surfaces.  They radiated the heat.  It was so hot not even the dogs would chase us.

In Varna we found a welcome sight, yes, another Casey’s.  Some may not think highly of the Casey’s General Store chain, and may not have even been in one.  But in many small towns across the Midwest, it is the only thing available.  For us, we can be assured an ample supply of ice, cold water as well as other cold drinks and snack items. Every Casey’s makes pizza, but I have yet to have one. Some of the larger stores have delis that will build sandwiches to order.  The employees have always been gracious and accommodating.

Varna was about halfway to Pontiac.  It was the hottest part of the day and we were feeling it.  The cold drinks from Casey’s and a picnic table under a shade tree in the park across the street, were what we needed.    After a couple hours we felt refreshed and ready to make a push toward Pontiac.  A wind from the west had materialized and would provide some assistance.  The roads were bubbling with tar.  The gravel chips stuck to our tires.  At one point it felt as if we were riding in glue, it was hard to steer.  I soon found out why, my second flat of the trip, the front tire.  The change went quickly.

We crossed I-39 just west of Wenona, IL.  We diverted into town for our afternoon ice cream at Kim’s Sweetshop.  A cyclist we met as we were approaching town gave us the lead and directions for this refreshment stop.  South of Streator, IL we followed Illinois State Route 23 all the way to Pontiac.

Barb had patiently awaited our arrival.  She had made reservations at the Three Roses Bed and Breakfast on route 116 and arrived around 5;00.  We arrived after 7:00   The B&B was just a few blocks from Pontiac’s courthouse square and a nice dinner at Bernardi’s. What a pleasant and wonderful evening. It went by way too fast.