I pulled into a rest stop for gas and put on my rain gear and bad weather helmet just in time for the rain to start. Apparently, I am doomed to ride in the rain...

About a hundred miles later, near the Indiana border, the rain had stopped, and I needed gas again. I was right at the border with learned from another biker that his wife, whom he had just called, told him the rain was behind us. So I removed the rain gear, but it was still cloudy and cold so I kept my big helmet and rode on...

Indiana and Construction Hassles

I cross the border and ride into Indiana. There are no pictures because, well, it generally looks like new england from here, with less hills and a bunch of corn fields. Not unpleasant, but not heartstopping either.

The weather was good, very good in fact and I was really enjoying my ride.

I get to within 150 miles of Chicago and stop for gas. I call up my friend Felix. It is about 6pm. He tells me he has arranged for me to stay at a friends house, in town (right near Division and Damon, for those of you who know the city--happening part of town). Great, I should be there in about an hour and a half or so.

I refuel and ride on.

Then I hit construction. The two lane highway merges into one lane, and the speed limit drops down to 45 mph. Apparently that means that all traffic must stop for 6 miles.

6 miles of stop and go traffic. It sucks in a car, it sucks even worse on a bike. I can't tell you how tempted I was to ride between the cars, but I dind't. The traffic finally merges, and I can move again. What a relief...

A few miles later... SAME THING!!! I can't believe this. I am in dire need of gas, and stuck in traffic. I make it through the traffic jam and see the sign for the rest area/gas stop. And I run out of gas.

I go to neutral and coast in the breakdown lane as far as I can. Luckily this is mostly flat. I cost for about 1/2 mile and coast right into the rest area when I finnally run out of momentum. I push the bike the last 50 feet to the gas pump... that was close...

I head out again for Chicago. I'm only 30 miles away, but it has taken me 2 and a half hours to get this far.

Chicago at Dusk

I arrive at the outskirts of Chicago as the sun is setting. Really pretty. I'm looking for a good spot to take a picture when... more construction. I can't belive it. By the time I'm through the traffic, the sun has just dissapeared.

I pulled off the highway right after that, cause I could see more traffic ahead, and found my way to Lake Shore Drive.

I pulled off and stopped at the Navy Pier briefly to be a tourist for a second, then found my way to Division.

Felix gave me directions to where I was staying, and I made my way there.

The guy I'm staying with is great. His name is Willis. He asks me if I need anything, beer, wine, food. I am a little hungry, and I was going to go out, but he starts pulling out all this gourmet food. Those of you who know me are aware that I am somewhat of a connaiseur of gourmet foods and I'm impressed.

Tapenade, Bruchetta, good cheese, and these marinated hot peppers, made someone's 100 year old grandma. Absolutely amazing. Willis, you're the man!

Today, I'm supposed to hang out with Felix. I'm about to call him, and see what the plan is.

Itinerary

OH: Cleveland -> I-90 -> IN
IN: I-90 -> IL
IL: I-90 -> Chicago