Day 25: Sebree, KY to Marion, IL (89 miles, 1196 total)

Woohoo! We're in our 3rd state! Today was a serious mileage day again, and for the 3rd time, it is my longest mileage day on a bike ever. It took me just over 7 hours to complete today's ride, and let me tell you, after about 14 hours in the saddle in the last two days, I need some chill out time. No such luck. We still have tons of miles to blast and 4 days to squish into the others. Notice we are now 4 days behind and not 5 - we jumped off the Adventure Cycling route today to cut off a day of hilly mileage. We also figured out that by the time this trip is over that I will have ridden about a week longer than Jeff. He rides about an hour faster than me over about a 70 mile ride, so divide that into 4300 miles and you can see how my saddles parts be feelin'.

It took us about 40 miles to get out of Kentucky today but we have left the state behind! We talked about leaving our Halt cans by the westbound Welcome to Kentucky sign but kept them in case of emergency or accidental need to gas myself again.

Since we took the shortcut option, we had to forego a nice ferry ride across the Ohio River in exchange for a mad-dash bridge crossing. As we approached the river, we noticed construction and lane closure signs up. Not a good sign to either of us. As it turns out though, it worked to our advantage. There were temporary traffic lights in place at each end of the bridge. We knew they would be timed for cars and not bikes, so we strategized for a bit during our red light wait. We decided that we would let all of the cars on our end go, then pedal like mad to try to crest the bridge before the cars from the other direction did. Then, we would duck on the "safe" side of the barrels until they passed. It worked out so well that we even got to take pictures up there! We're geniouses.

Once we crossed the state border, we noticed three things right away. First, we got shoulders on the road, a big improvement. Second, we got rid of those blasted rumble strips that Kentucky loves to use. Third, we were innundated with coal trucks! We made it all the way through Kentucky without them and just when we thought we were all clear, slammed!

We did find one good thing about them though. When we ride on a shoulder and the trucks pass going in our direction, we get a burst of a tailwind. It doesn't last that long, but you can definitely feel it. It works just the opposite though when they go the other way. Once they pass, you can count to 2 before getting blasted with the headwind of their wake. Hold on to the handlebars!

Anyway, today started with the 5AM alarm. I am so ready to NOT wake up early after this trip. I'd like to do nothing but sleep for an entire day at this point! We were on the road by 6:20 and the weather was perfect. It was a little sweaty, but much cooler than the last two mornings. Finally, a break.

We both agreed today that, even though we were glad for a flatter shortcut, we will not miss the traffic of the roads today. Though they tend to be on the hilly side, the smaller, country roads are very pleasant to ride on. When traffic is flying by at 60 plus, you can't hear anything other than that noise. One plus side, less roadkill and stinking stench. I really wish I had windows to roll up sometimes.

Last night, Dave asked me how many flats we'd had on our trip so far. Famous last words, none. We knew we were jinxed right away. Though we have both thought how lucky we have been, we have never, ever mentioned it out loud to each other. Sure enough, since we talked about it last night, we got our first flat today. It took 1180 miles, but Jeff got the short stick. He flatted his rear tire because of a jagged piece of metal that was about the size of a dime. As there was no shade to be had, we teamed up to change it as quickly as we could. I was crew, he was worker-bee. We baked and roasted and then got on with the ride. No more, please.

Tan lines are really kicking these days. Jeff calls his the "Lance tan" because he thinks that sounds cooler than "farmer tan." (Note from Jeff: It is really not a matter of sounding cooler; the Lance Armstrong tan is an entirely different beast than the common farmer tan. Just ask Sheryl Crow.) I'm going to look really great in those bridesmaid dresses later this summer. Because we ride in the morning to mid-afternoon, the sun hits us from behind and above. That means the tops of our thighs and the backs of our calves get way more sun than our shins or hamstrings. We also get more sun on the left side than the right due to the Earth's summertime tilt. I tried to ride with my sleeves tucked up on my shoulders to alleviate some of the farmer/Lance tan action, but I missed the back of my left shoulder with the sunscreen and am now sporting a mean sunburn back there. I also have two stripes going down the sides of my face where my helmet straps sit. I look like I am wearing mak!
eup and forgot to blend it in. We called those people "base-faces" in high school. It is really hot looking.

It has been a long, hot two days so we ordered pizza to the room and Jeff went out to get beer and ice cream. We aren't leaving the room until tomorrow morning and we get to sleep in all the way to 6:30. I am anxiously awaiting tomorrow morning's trip to Carbondale. There are three bike shops there and I hope one of them has a pair of bike shorts that will feel good to wear.

I'm exhausted. Peace out.

AKB