Not quite the incline, but it seemed like it.
 

A tale of two rides.   Last week as the wind blew from the SSW at between 15-20 mph I decided to layer up and ride 50 miles to Spring Valley Il.  It's a straight ride down rt. 89.  The only shoulder wide enough to bike safely is about a 6 mile stretch between Casinova and Washburn.  The good news is it is less traveled than route 150 from Goodfield to LeRoy.  Hence, I felt comfortable with that road.  I could have taken all county roads but it increases the mileage and parts are gravel with oil/chip.  Not the conditions I prefer. Low 60's was my starting temperature.  But as the day continued the temperature rose to mid 80's,  While I removed my jacket, I still had three more layers to contend with.  After the 48 mile mark, I was starting to feel the effect of the distance and heat.  To add to the situation a road sign showing a truck on an incline meant that a severe downhill was ahead.  As a cyclist, we all know for every downhill, there is an equal and severe uphill.  Coming over the ridge and on the downhill slope I could see what looked like a straight uphill ahead.  It was the bridge that crossed the Illinois river at that point.  At the bottom of the slope sat the Lovely Veronica sitting with the van that would take us home.  I stopped and had to decide whether to hop in the van and eschew the climb over the bridge or use what little energy I had left and climb.  In the past there would have been no decision....climb baby climb.   But being older and wiser,  I hopped into the van and rode home.  However, as I related this to friends they all were surprised at my decision.  And, it bugged me.  

Today the wind was a brisk southerly wind at 15-20 gusting to 30 mph.  Riding north to Magnolia would have given me a respectable 35 mile ride, so that was the plan.  The temperature was mid 50's thus heat would not be a problem in terms of sapping my energy.  Upon reaching Magnolia the Lovely Veronica awaited with the SAG back to Washington.  Realizing I have plenty of energy to continue I decided to ride to Spring Valley to complete a 50 miler.  At the 48 mile mark I again realized the severe climb awaited me.  In the past, I have climbed paths with higher grades but none since my tkr.  I decided to attack it full on.  Low and behold, it had a very wide shoulder so that a biker could ride safely across.  And, the climb was not as severe as I had imagined it.  Another two smaller climbs followed but they were both quite reasonable.  Climbing the third hill I saw the Lovely Veronica on the opposite side of the road so I decided that "mission accomplished".  Lesson learned.  Accept the challenges and do not equivocate. That has been my "modus operendi" for quite some time.  Now is not the time to stop that attitude.  Looks like there will be more outside biking in the coming weeks. 

                                                     At Washington Park in Ottawa Il.
  

This was a most interesting week of bike riding in central Illinois.  It has been very windy all week but I still felt the need to ride outside.  Wednesday, with the wind blowing at 20-25 mph from the south I decided to ride north to Streator, a 55 miler.  The first 30 to Magnolia was a "breeze".  Pun intended.  But the next 20 to Streator was due east.  So, I had a severe crosswind for that 20 mile trek.  It was a battle and all I could think of was the Dalhart section of my cross country ride.  After arriving in Streator, I decided to reward my effort by riding north to Ottawa, another 18 miles.  So, another 70 miler.  Then, on Friday I decided to do my regular circuit around Tazewell/Woodford county.  I planned on a 40 miler but as I began I realized that may be a mistake.  The wind was from the wind at a blistery 20 mph.  As it turned out I shortened my distance to 25 miles and riding into the wind was brutal.  But it looks like my knee is holding up well but I don't think I will be doing any riding outside when the wind is that brisk.  All in all a interesting week of biking.

 

Got my route to Glen Ellyn figured our.  Unfortunately after I get past Ottawa the roads are crowed with traffic.  There are numerous roads but it looks like they are all pretty crowded.  I will use sidewalks and bike paths as much as possible.  Hopefully, the motorists will give me my space but we will see.  On another note, I am amazed that the primary road from Ottawa to Oswego, route 71, has a nice shoulder but for some reason they put "rumble strips" right in the middle.  That means I will use the road.  I know it pisses off motorists when a cyclist doesn't use the shoulder but other than finding another route I can't ride the narrow part of the shoulder between the rumble strips and edge of the shoulder.  Oh well, it is what it is.  I'm currently getting about 150 miles outside per week and the rest of the time I'm on my trainer.  And for the first time I was able to clip my right side for the first time since the tkr.  Can't wait for this pandemic thing to get over so I can return to my rides where I stay at hotels.  We aren't comfortable doing that at this time.  I still think I can get a century in before the cold weather sets in but we will see.  Enough for now.  Stay tuned.