We left our camp outside of Madison on Day 32 (July 26) , destined for Belvedere, IL. The morning temperatures were comfortable (70's), with high humidity and a warmer afternoon temps (upper 80's) to come. You could tell that all that moisture in the air was going to be a prelude to something--and it wasn't going to be dry.
Initially, the remaining countryside in Wisconsin was not quite as dramatic as the previous days, but with lots of cumulative climbing up and down rolling hills. There were lots of dairy farms (pictured). It soon became clear that while Wisconsin farmers generally treat their cows well, they really put their tractors up on a pedastal.
At about mile 55, we passed through unappealing Beloit, WI into even more unappealing South Beloit, IL. This state portal (pictured) proved to be the least inviting and definitely the wettest we've encountered to date. It began to pour rain heavily as we crossed the border. New Jersey Barry and I took refuge at the Firehouse Tavern in Roscoe, IL and had a warm cup of soup and a sandwich. The rain slowed a bit and we continued down the road into a our camp at Belvidere, IL, completing the 87-mile ride for the day. The private campground, outside of Belvidere, had a swimming pool and a huge roof shelter under which we all pitched our 4o+ tents. It was a good thing. We experienced torrential rains during the night--and stayed quite dry until....
On Day 33 (July 27), we left Belvidere for the twin cities of Morris and Coal City, IL.--another big century ride. It rained hard in the early morning, but changed into to a typical moist, hot, humid, midwest summer day. The terrain was mostly flat, with little elevation gain--and corn and soybean fields as far as the eye could see. Our 108-mile ride that day concluded at camp at the Coal City Club Park on the Illinois River. Only one more day before the rest day.
Onward and eastward,
Marty
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