Last night when I went to bed there was supposed to be storm starting around 6 am and continuing to 10 am. Because of this knowledge I knew that I should sleep in. However either over night the storm stalled or disappeared. In the morning the weather forecasters were suggesting rain and lightning starting around 1 pm and then again around 8 pm. Boy were they wrong. It never rained, at least not yet.
The radar maps showed that I was riding in rain at 1 pm but it wasn’t raining, however I was soaked in perspiration. I thought Southern Illinois was flat. The part I am riding through is not.
It was explained to me that the south of Carbondale, IL the terrain is just like the Ozarks. From my first hand knowledge, it is. Lots of ups and downs. North of Carbondale it is pancake flat. That is what I remember from 30 years ago when I rode from DC to Kansas. The route must have changed a bit. I did ride through Carbondale and saw Southern Illinois University before making it to Goreville. Tonight is a night in the United Methodist Church where they encourage cyclists to stop. I am the only one here tonight, but there are showers, a kitchen and laundry. Much better than camping in the humidity.
Today’s stats: total mileage 35.44 miles; average speed 12.3 mph; max speed 44.4 mph; total elevation gain 1962 feet; total descent 1558 feet.