Day 5 — Recap and Reflection (117mi, WI to IL)

We started the morning like we did each day: bring luggage down to the lobby to pack into the van, our jump bags into one of the SAG vehicles, and bikes downstairs to check tire PSI. Breakfast and refill water bottles. Quick morning caffeinated beverages. 

Brad opened the ride meeting, where he played a video of Olivia. She was cancer patient who battled cancer and was in remission, where she addressed the Cal's Angels Gala and took off her wig —talking about how important fundraising is to help keep the progress going. She had a cancer reoccurrence and battled again until the treatment was no longer able to keep up with the rate of growth. She passed away in December, two years ago.

Brad then had his daughter join us via FaceTime, who is a senior nursing student at Missou, who's been cancer free for over ten years. But she spoke about how crucial the ride is to broaden awareness for pediatric cancers. Brad explained after we ended the call that he's worried the long-term effects of the chemotherapy drugs and radiation may affect her fertility, and may affect longevity.

We set out of Edgerton, with a few more riders who joined us for the final day. We were at 22 total for the first time. 

We rode east into Whitewater, then we headed south, past an artisan well (where Jack refilled his bottles) and made our first rest stop at a BP off a farm field, about 26 miles in. 

We hopped back onto our bikes after about 10 minutes (we got more efficient as we added miles and days) and headed two-by-two, south again towards Delavan. We turned east again and south, as we headed into Lake Geneva. This is about mile 50, where we encountered pretty beautiful rolling hills amidst multi-million dollar homes and country clubs. Punchy sprints of about 5 miles and 6% grades. This is where I hit 41.8mph and got my heart rate above 100bpm for the first time this ride. I was in "active recovery" (zone 1) with 88bpm for the first half the ride. 

We turned up into farm country as we crossed the Wisconsin/Illinois State line, as we meandered into an apple orchard at mile 60 for our lunch stop. The weather was beautiful, with no clouds and a slight breeze. The orchard had a massive oak tree that was planted in 1776!

(peep the oak tree at the center of this picture)

Some of the riders were hitting fatigue, and we encouraged them to consider racking their bikes (either at the first rest stop, or at lunch) so they could have enough left to join for the last segment, as we rode into the city for the parade and arrival. 

Some folks grabbed some voltaren (a topical NSAID) for muscle soreness on their legs and undercarriage. 

I had my usual lunch: PB & strawberry jelly, a banana, a Coke, pickle juice, and this time — a fresh apple cider donut and a bottle of Naked juice (red machine).

We set out again, now in Illinois and south. I didn't like the (lack of) shoulders in eastern and south central Wisconsin, and northern Illinois was no different. We had to single-file ride a good chunk of the route. At about mile 93, we rolled into our last rest stop, with the usual routine (water refills, electrolytes, bathroom break, stretch your legs). We were less than a marathon left, and we saddled up once more, rolling single file into corn fields and relatively flat land in Kane County. We rolled into Saint Charles and across the only road in town with substantial hills (Burr Oak Road). We turned towards the police department, and paused for a few more additions, at mile 115. We gained a police escort, with fire trucks and squad SUVs. We had Hal and Julie (owners of The Bike Rack, one of our sponsors and the two bike mechanics who rode with us) and we had Brooke — a high school junior who was one year to the day, from her bone marrow transplant from her younger sister. She was cancer free, and wanted to ride us into the finish. 

We crossed the finish, with confetti 🎊 poppers and cheers. We quickly huddled and got our luggage. We changed into our T-shirts, checked into our hotel, and headed back for dinner and a recognition ceremony for the supporters — where we introduced the support staff and the cyclists to the families who came to support us. We met former riders, too.

Back at the hotel, after the out-of-state riders booked our final night, we gathered for beers and pizza in the lobby, to reflect and chat. To our surprise, guests were running outside to take pictures of the northern lights. I never expected to see them in an urban area like a Chicago suburb. But we did!

 (this is a 2 minute exposure, to enhance the color)

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Stay tuned for more updates and a reflection on the ride, what I would change to make it more safe, more approachable, and more successful. Don't forget to check out the shared photo (and video) Google Photos gallery on the links of this blog.