Been awhile since last post.  Most outside riding days are over.  I did do a ride to LeRoy last week as the temp was in the low 60's and the wind was a brisk 15=20 mph from the WSW.  While improvements have been made to the roads into Downs, the shoulders still have those bothersome rumble strips in the middle meaning riding in the road is a must.  Autos are somewhat displeased but other than a few blares of the horn, most give me what the law requires....a three foot clearance.  As stated in previous posts, route 150 from Downs to LeRoy is in need of resurfacing.  Very bumpy and uncomfortable riding this stretch.  But, it's been like this for years and the state doesn't seem to notice or for that matter care.  On another note, friend Larry who lives in Colorado has recently undergone should surgery.  His doctors informed him he was not allowed to bicycle on a regular bike and he has been biking for decades.  I think it is more of a suggestion rather than, "not allowed". To resolve his dilemma, he purchased a three wheeled trike.  Were it me, I might have considered an e-trike.  He will need to adjust his riding style but I'm sure he will be back at it in short order.   Therefore, as a conclusion, it looks like I'm back on the trainer watching re-runs of Rockford files. 

Dry, Dry, Dry.  Biking in ultra dry conditions often involves traversing "dust outs" where visibility is severely limited.  As the farmers are harvesting their crops and preparing the land for the next planting season, extremely dry weather causes these conditions.  But, the good news is they don't last long and riding a bike on days like these is quite enjoyable.  Last week, a high school friend was in the area and contacted me.  We met for lunch and during the course of conversation he inquired if I ever road route 89 north.  I informed him I ride that route often, especially if it is quite windy from the SW.  Don indicated that his early ancestors grew up in Magnolia, has a family Roberts cemetery with a house built in the early 1800's and asked if I knew the area.  Of course, I am quite familiar with this small berg.  It is actually 35 miles from my front door resplendent with long flat areas combined with very hilly terrain. That doesn't even take in the number of semis that have numbered as high as 30 total.   All in all a fun and diverse ride.  After lunch we said our goodbyes so he and his girlfriend returned to the home.  The next day, as fate would have it, the temperature was to be in the high 70's with a SW wind of 20+ mph.  Yep, I road to Magnolia, (should have continued to Spring Valley for a 59 miler).   I thought how ironic the day after my interaction with Don I would be biking through the area of his ancestors as we discussed.  Sent him the above picture and once again another exciting adventure biking in central Illinois.