What is twenty-seven miles down to Pontiac to catch the train to St. Louis? Seeing as I have bicycled from St. Louis to Odel seven years ago I never like riding the same road twice. Starting off was fine for the first several miles, then the wind picked up hitting me head on. Aggravating the situation it was up a slight incline the whole way. My speed slowed from ten mph to seven. Was I bonking, I had a good breakfast and drank plenty of electrolites. My body was rebelling and after seventeen miles I crept into Odel total exhausted. Forty-seven miles the first day and sixty miles the second took its toll. I should have started off at a much slower pace. After stopping at the Odel route 66 information center I headed over to the local bank where Jim Robholz was manager. Seven years early when riding across the country he took me in for night and he and his wife Connie treated me like royalty. I parked my bike and went into the bank to say hi. It was great to see Jim and recall the good time I had with his family. Asking him if I could get my bike on the train st Pontiac we both searched online and was able to make a reservation for tomorrow at 11:07. Asking where I could stay in Pontiac Jim immediately offer to put me up. Grateful was was understatement. My exhausted body needed the break. After we had lunch together, he took me over to his house and familiarized me with everything and returned to the bank. A hot shower, laundry and a nap brought me back to life. Connie arrived home and remembered me right away. It was old home week. Shortly after she arrived home we were off to their son’s house to hook up this huge RV to his GMC truck. I helped where I could. We drove over to Fairbury where there is a dirt race track where modified late model cars race. This weekend is the last race of the season, the Fals Frenzy ( Fairbury American Legion speedway). There son backed the RV into the assigned spot next Connie’s Brother’s and sister’s RVs, a family affair. The races start tomorrow and they wanted to get set up before the mobs of humanity showed up. I was envious of the good time they had planned. After setting up we headed out for pizza as the skies opened up, lightning and all. Another good time. Tomorrow, Craig, Jim and Connie’s son, is driving me to the train station in Pontiac. I will arrive in St Louis at 2:50. I pray that the winds I fought against today will not be the case down the road.To sum up I hope I can return the hospitality to the Rebholz when they come east to my place.
Nice.
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