Spring Metric MLCB Post #95, June 13-2015

I did a 38 mile ride on Saturday, although it was both hot and humid. I decided from the first not to loop back to the starting area after each loop of the ride, but rather to ride each loop from its junction with the previous loop, avoiding repetition, and cutting down my ride time and distance in the torrid weather. I got more than 600 feet of climbing done in the 35 miles I rode. I wound up ending my ride in Carlock, Illinois, which had orange soda at the gas station, rather than riding all the way back to my start point.

These cattle were grazing in a hilly field, beneath interesting clouds.

Corn is growing really well, with all the rain and humidity we’ve had

This farmhouse appears to growing hops, a crop I haven’t seen much around here

The spillway at Lake Bloomington, handling some of the overflow from recent storms

Hilly country, full of cornfields and cattle

Recent rains have also caused flooding of fields in the countryside

In many places, the areas the Spring Metric traverses are the hilly country surrounding the Mackinaw River as it wends it’s way through the Illinois Countryside.

Sometimes, it gets really hilly.

This marker, at the McLean/Woodford County line, commemorates Lincoln’s travels on this road as part of his duties with the circuit court. The plates on the bottom denote which county is on either side of the marker.

Panorama, showing Carlock, Illinois from the heights above the town.

An old style of grain elevator in Downtown Carlock.

My Specialized Sirrus in the Municipal Park in Carlock, where I chose to end this ride.

Weather was not so bad, I had a great time, and I stretched my riding distance just a bit farther for this year. The Sirrus did a fine job as a distance bike for this trip, although a drop bar tourer would have been better. But the Fuji is awaiting new shifters, and I’m needing to order a granny gear for the Austro-Daimler. This trip makes me see the granny gear as a necessity, especially with the step-and-a-half gearing on the AD. The Mclean County Wheelers Bicycle Club did another great job this year with a fine event.

Metric Century MLCB Post #44, 6-18-14

Here’s my Cannondale H 600, ready to eat up the miles

We crossed the dam at Evergreen Lake many times

I saw a pretty grove of trees, many Oaks and Shagbark Hickories among them

I see a lot of people this way when I am riding. Actually, I rode with this group most of the way on the first course of the ride

We got close enough to Carlock to look down on it from the ride before we turned east again

When we did turn east, we wound through a large windmill farm

Some of the windmills were being maintained

Always time to stop, and contemplate windmills.

Or what wonderful cattle the Angus are…

The soybeans are receiving some attention, as well

Meanwhile, back at base, the ham radio operators were keeping everyone connected.

On the road again. Route 2 passes over I-39 at Kappa

Farther on, it gets a little hilly

A little more hilly,

And hillier yet

But there are some nice views of the Mackinaw River

Woodford County 9, way of the Hills

There are also some nice views of farmland and timber

And also a distant view of El Paso, Illinois

And choices to be made. Left, or Right? Corn, or soybeans?

This bird flew along with me for a while

As did this one. Vulture. Never a good sign.

After the ride, and lunch, I rode to Casey’s in Hudson, Illinois, for a drink on the way home.

I wound up riding 44 miles of the routes, and rode 6 miles to Hudson after. I would have done more, but the winds were getting over 30 mph and it would have taken me a long time to ride the third route, and may have held up things for the many volunteers from many organizations that helped out here. I had planned to ride all the way home, but winds and bad road conditions preempted that. Central Illinois Radio Club, the McLean County Wheelers, and Vitesse Cycle Shop all gave of their time and talents, as well as Great Harvest Bakery and many other organizations that help out as part of “Bikes Save Lives”, a part of the McLean County Wheelers program to give bikes to those that will use them to get healthier and fitter. I’m sure many other organizations were also helping, and it sure shows. Lots of folks got to get out and ride for a good cause.