Riding in the Eastern Time Zone!!!

I rode into Illinois. This is the first state that I have been in, so far on this journey, that I have actually stayed in other than at the airport.  I now feel like I'm getting closer to home.  My brother and uncle came in to Peoria and I took July 4th off.  We went to Bass Pro Shop and it had a bowling alley in it so went actually played a few games.  Tony beat up every game but I''m blaming his victories on my numb hands from riding. 

 We went back to the hotel after dinner and turned it into a bike shop.  It was time to change tires and do some maintenance to the bike.  As you can see after 2,500 miles I got everything I could out of those tires.  In those 2,500 miles I only had one flat and it was the same day I changed the tires. So they were very good to me.   

Today I made it to Indiana and the Eastern Time Zone.  Now after I get use to this time change I won't have to adjust anymore.  

One of the best parts of this trip is the people that you meet and the small towns that you go through.  Every small town has its own character and is known for something.  As I rolled into Hillsboro, IN they had bikes on side of the building going through town. 

The journey continues one small town at a time. I'll be back in my home state of Ohio soon passing through on my way to the Atlantic Ocean.  I'm looking forward to seeing my family and friends.  Until then I will Just Keep Pedaling.  

Please don't forget the reason I'm out here.  Do something positive in your life.  Take steps to make yourself healthy and happy.  Also raising awareness and funds for the Brian Grant Foundation, Spencer's Army, and Rachael's Raising Hope.

Hello Iowa!

Minnesota came and went pretty quick.  It was very nice in Minnesota.  I had opportunity to get on a few bike routes that were absolutely beautiful.  The routes toured me around a few of the lakes that Minnesota is so famous for. I also took day off in Minneapolis.  A couple good friends of mine Val and Chad drove all night to meet me in Minneapolis.  It was so nice to see a couple of familiar faces.

While Chad and Val were here I had the opportunity to get into a chiropractor.  Val also hooked me up with deep tissue massage.  They both helped tremendously.  Putting in the miles I have lately takes a toll on the body and taking care of it is crucial.  Thank you guys for that.

Taking a day off in Minneapolis was great also.  My legs thanked me for it.  We had the opportunity to go to the Mall of America.  It was huge and had any child's dream in the center with rides and games.  I know we only walked through about a third of it but they had every store I could imagine.  We also took some time to walk through the city and had a good dinner.

After I left Minneapolis, my next destination was Rochester.  It was a pretty easy ride since I unloaded all my luggage with Val and Chad.  I can fly on a light bike.  Once I finished, Rochester is where I actually got a massage.  After the massage therapist beat me up, we went and ate a little Italian. 

The next morning Val and Chad started back to Ohio and I was heading to Iowa.  

  I ended up in Waterloo, IA.  At the bottom of the Iowa sign it says "Fields of Opportunities".  I'm not sure about the opportunites but there are a lot of fields.

Today I rode into Iowa City.  Waterloo to Cedar Rapids had a bike trail.  Most of it was pretty nice.  About 20 miles of it was gravel and rough.  I truly felt I was in the middle of nowhere at one point. I found myself on a gravel bike route in the middle of a field.

  I met up with a guy named Benny that was familiar with the path and guided me through it  to Cedar Rapids.  From Cedar Rapids I rode into Iowa City, home of the Iowa Hawkeyes. From Cedar Rapids to Iowa City was absolutely beautiful and had a wonderful bike trail.