Springfield Illinois to Champaign Illinois

5 hours 40 minutes to ride 86.8 miles.

A little trouble this morning as Cindy woke up with a flat tire. Barry helped her fix that and then discovered that my back tire was not holding air. He had to take it apart and he found one of those pieces of wire stuck through the tire. He fixed that and thought we were food to go when the replacement valve on the new tube would not close so he had to change the same tire a second time. Finally we were off!

We were moving today and made it in to the first SAG before anyone else. Cindy wanted to buy Barry a milkshake for fixing her tire so we were off. Everyone ended up stopping at the DQ as I think they are all still recovering from yesterday. We left first and made it to the second SAG where Carol had sandwiches for us. The "A" team came in behind us and Barry made the comment that we had to beat them to the hotel, for once. We left and fortune smiled upon us when we got a great tailwind! Now we were moving.

At mile 82 we were warned about 2 sets of railroad tracks that we're at a sharp angle and we needed to be cautious. Thank heavens we slowed down as they were treacherous, but everyone across safe and sound. Just then Julie saw the "A" team bearing down us - and 4 miles to go! The race was on but we got held by a red light and they made it through. As a result we were all at the light to turn in to the hotel. They graciously allowed us to go first as they know they can beat us any time! All good fun.