Today 43.97, This trip (I made a mistake yesterday) 343.72, total both trips 1,343.72
Yesterday we were planning to pick up some extra miles today, beyond our trip to Lincoln. We hoped to make it to Atlanta or McLean. We made up extra miles but not forward. We had a very nice first 20 minutes. We got to Route 66 and shortly came to a sign that said bike Route 66. We weren't going to take it because I thought it would cost us an extra 3 miles or so. At the last minute we took it. After about 500 ft. I slowed down and hesitated. Mary Kay said maybe we should go back. I agreed and back we went. It looked good we were back on track when all of a sudden we were on an on ramp with nowhere to go. We were on Interstate 55. Evidently we passed a sign that said, "Nonmotorized vehicles prohibited." So for three miles we were hugging the very outside edge of the berm while cars and trucks zoomed by us. All kinds of things go through your mind, not the least of which are prayers. I was waiting for a State Trooper to pull us over. Luckily we made it to the exit. We immediately stopped at a Subway to calm our nerves.
We found the right Route 66 road and took off again. It was really bumpy. Our bottoms were pretty sore after about 8 miles. At that point we found another Route 66 BikeRoute sign. The map showed that it might extend our trip another two or three miles. Balancing that with the bumpy road and our previous experience we decided to take the bike route abpnd the extra miles. We still felt we were in good shape and could get further than Lincoln. We followed the map to the connecting point with Business 55 just outside of Lincoln. A sone's throw as the old saying goes. Wait what is that? Detour road closed ahead. Our conversation went like this, "Surely, not all four lanes will be closed and we will be able to get our bikes through. There seemed to be cars coming towards us." So we decided to ride the 3/4 of a mile and try it. Sure enough all four lanes were closed. They were putting in a new bridge. It looked like a side road might be our solution. We took off, but soon it did't seem quite right. So this was a good time to pull out the smart phone. Sure enough it was going to take us to a dead end. Conversation again, " pelts go back to the last cross roads we came to before we got to 55 and go East that should take us around the construction." Good plan off we went. About 2 miles later we came upon the Logan Correctional Facility. I thought we were getting unusually close as we continued to ride around it. We passed a few employees on a break and they looked at us oddly. We continued and I began to turn right at a "Y" in the road. Suddenly people were yelling "No, No!" So I figured we should take the left part of the "Y." Then I noticed a golf cart up ahead stop and wait for us. Conversation,
"Is this the way to go around the Facility."
"No, you are in a prison compound. You will have to turn around and leave the way you came."
"Can you tell me how we can get by the construction on 55."
"Just go back to 55 and turn left it will take you to the Interstate and you can go about three miles around the construction."
"We were already on an Interstate for three miles today. If we do it again they might bring us back here. :)"
"Then the only way to go is to go back and take county roads around. It is a long way."
There went our smiles. I got out the smart phone again and mapped out a route. It was a long way and it was very hot. We soon decided that making it to Lincoln today sounded pretty good. So it doesn't look like we will knock off a day on our schedule.
There may be very high winds here tonight, but we are in a safe place. We had a couple of drinks at the bowling alley next door and watched some people gambling on the machines and then ordered in pizza. Life is good!
Sorry my pictures didn't come through tonight. If I get them I will post them later.
Peace and Prayers
Mary Kay and Jack
Yesterday we were planning to pick up some extra miles today, beyond our trip to Lincoln. We hoped to make it to Atlanta or McLean. We made up extra miles but not forward. We had a very nice first 20 minutes. We got to Route 66 and shortly came to a sign that said bike Route 66. We weren't going to take it because I thought it would cost us an extra 3 miles or so. At the last minute we took it. After about 500 ft. I slowed down and hesitated. Mary Kay said maybe we should go back. I agreed and back we went. It looked good we were back on track when all of a sudden we were on an on ramp with nowhere to go. We were on Interstate 55. Evidently we passed a sign that said, "Nonmotorized vehicles prohibited." So for three miles we were hugging the very outside edge of the berm while cars and trucks zoomed by us. All kinds of things go through your mind, not the least of which are prayers. I was waiting for a State Trooper to pull us over. Luckily we made it to the exit. We immediately stopped at a Subway to calm our nerves.
We found the right Route 66 road and took off again. It was really bumpy. Our bottoms were pretty sore after about 8 miles. At that point we found another Route 66 BikeRoute sign. The map showed that it might extend our trip another two or three miles. Balancing that with the bumpy road and our previous experience we decided to take the bike route abpnd the extra miles. We still felt we were in good shape and could get further than Lincoln. We followed the map to the connecting point with Business 55 just outside of Lincoln. A sone's throw as the old saying goes. Wait what is that? Detour road closed ahead. Our conversation went like this, "Surely, not all four lanes will be closed and we will be able to get our bikes through. There seemed to be cars coming towards us." So we decided to ride the 3/4 of a mile and try it. Sure enough all four lanes were closed. They were putting in a new bridge. It looked like a side road might be our solution. We took off, but soon it did't seem quite right. So this was a good time to pull out the smart phone. Sure enough it was going to take us to a dead end. Conversation again, " pelts go back to the last cross roads we came to before we got to 55 and go East that should take us around the construction." Good plan off we went. About 2 miles later we came upon the Logan Correctional Facility. I thought we were getting unusually close as we continued to ride around it. We passed a few employees on a break and they looked at us oddly. We continued and I began to turn right at a "Y" in the road. Suddenly people were yelling "No, No!" So I figured we should take the left part of the "Y." Then I noticed a golf cart up ahead stop and wait for us. Conversation,
"Is this the way to go around the Facility."
"No, you are in a prison compound. You will have to turn around and leave the way you came."
"Can you tell me how we can get by the construction on 55."
"Just go back to 55 and turn left it will take you to the Interstate and you can go about three miles around the construction."
"We were already on an Interstate for three miles today. If we do it again they might bring us back here. :)"
"Then the only way to go is to go back and take county roads around. It is a long way."
There went our smiles. I got out the smart phone again and mapped out a route. It was a long way and it was very hot. We soon decided that making it to Lincoln today sounded pretty good. So it doesn't look like we will knock off a day on our schedule.
There may be very high winds here tonight, but we are in a safe place. We had a couple of drinks at the bowling alley next door and watched some people gambling on the machines and then ordered in pizza. Life is good!
Sorry my pictures didn't come through tonight. If I get them I will post them later.
Peace and Prayers
Mary Kay and Jack
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