After double checking the bike, I loaded up the bike with four panniers, rear top bag, bar bag and the under seat tool bag; 45-50 lbs added to the weight of the bike adds up to about eighty-five lbs. Envision driving a semi tractor trailer, twenty-seven gears shifting up and depending on the terrain. Even with plenty of experience it takes a few miles to get in the groove. A mile down to the Metra commuter train station followed by an express ride to downtown Chicago put me a few blocks from my starting point at Millennium park bordering lake Michigan. Beautiful ride along the lake coast, a number of wrong turns but eventual I made my way out of Chicago. South Chicago is one place not to be with the lights out with one of the highest murder rates in the country. A combination of rails to trails and secondary roads brought me to twenty-five miles east of Joliet. In the process my map and velcro map holder fell off without me noticing it. Gps has been cooperating so I should be ok until I intersect with route 66 tomorrow. Forty-seven miles today was a stretch for my first day but the body will adapt within the next three days. A shaky motel was the only choice in the area so I will suck it up and sleep on the bed spread with my sleeping bag….part of the adventure.
Nice
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