Laporte, Indiana

Day 33; Left Madison in a fog of humidity, I would much rather take the dry heat (yes, even 114 degrees) over the humidity. Was immediately soaked after starting the ride, it was like we were trying to breathe underwater. As someone said you could "chew" the air it was so thick. Rode into Illinois today, state #8. There was a small sign in a industrial park that let us know! We camped @ Outdoor World, a sort of fancy KOA, outside (1.5 miles) of Belvidere, Ill. They had a great pool, it was Friday so they had a fish fry for supper, good local fish!! The night sucked bad, hordes of mosquito's, and I lay in my tent marinating in my own juices all night. Didn't sleep worth crap!!!

Day 34; Big day today, the first of our back to back centuries. Hot and humid again, everywhere we go people ask us why we are riding our bikes in such weather since it is a record heat day, have just got used to answering them with "we're just crazy", it seems to answer the question appropriately and people just nod in agreement! Rode fast and in a paceline with Bobbie and David F. Did the 100 miles in 5hrs 32 min, avg speed 17.1 mph. Felt good afterwards, good enough to find a small, dark, cool, bar in Coal City. The first 2 beers went down in single gulps, then it was 2 beers to 1 glass h2o. Had a bite to eat and then rode out to campground @ the Coal City Club. The Club is a private club on an old strip coal mine that has filled up with water so there is a nice lake there. Temp up into high 90's, no wind, and buggy as hell! It was so bad that Bobbie and I took a walk just to try to cool off. Bumped into Carol, who was trying to escape the bugs, and we walked down by the lake. A couple pulled up in their pickup and started untying their pontoon boat, carol asked for a ride, and they generously agreed. Great people who invited us to a "party" in 3 days, offered to let us come over to their house and stay the night in air conditioning, and they would make breakfast for us. It was already 10:30pm, we were bushed and already had our tents up, so we rather stupidly chose to stay @ camp. Another unbearable night!! It was Sat night, everyone else in the campgrounds was loud, drunk, and fighting. Getting used to not getting enough sleep.

Day 35; Century #2 in a row, started off slow but picked it up in the afternoon. Barely beat a thunderstorm into camp, 2/3 of the riders got stuck in a small town and had to seek shelter. Brian was riding through the storm and a local police officer stopped him and made him get off road! Everyone was anxious to get to camp. Had a big party to go to!! In Laporte, Indiana lives a 1999 Big Rider named Larry, and he puts on a giant party for the riders every year. BBQ'd pig, keg of beer, sweet corn on the grill, and tons of treats. I ate and drank until I thought I would burst. Difficult to sleep again, tough weather!