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Miles today: Zero

Our overachieving yesterday resulted in an unplanned day off today. We had a big breakfast, big lunch, big dinner; between meals we had donuts, chips and Buffalo wings… we will think back on this rest day as the big “Dutch Hollow Swallow”, a day made more for Joey Chestnut than three pretend cyclists. I’m now concerned about adding back to my waistline that I’ve worked hard to reduce this past month; but Jon likes to cook and we need to eat, so it was a sublime match-making.

With Jon’s curious questioning we recalled stories and learnings from our month on the road. We agreed that three stubborn guys can happily coexist in a challenging mental and physical environment, but it requires a little graceful giving from each of us. We have three days riding left before we lose Lecy in Chicago; however we plan to go separate ways from Woodstock IL to our homes, so we only have only two days of this biking triad. A pertinent observation that Geeto made this morning: this excursion requires everyone to wake up every day with a positive mindset, ready to roll into the demands of the day; and every day that’s been the case for us.

When we weren’t eating: we spent time in casual conversation; we knocked out a few crossword puzzles; Geeto taught us to play pinochle; we watched a little televised sports; and we entertained Jon’s request for a photo shoot.

Jon shared thoughts about how the people you’re surrounded by have a massive influence on who you become and how you behave. Surround yourself with drug users, you’re a drug user. Surround yourself with fitness freaks, you get fit. Surround yourself with bird watchers, you become a “lister”… In our bike ride, we have maintained our individuality, but we’ve probably found more of a common ground as our behavioral needles run in the same groove.

Tomorrow we plan to conquer our second century ride – 109 miles to take us past Madison to Jefferson WI. Winds look favorable, temperatures cool, climbs moderate… we anticipate a nice day to put another emblematic notch on our imaginary belts, though 109 miles sounds intimidating. It will be a long day regardless of the conditions, and I don’t expect to be “blog ready” tomorrow night. Day 33: LaValle to Jefferson

One song that I think represents our day as I’m “sitting here in limbo, but I know it won’t be long; sitting here in limbo like a bird without a song…” We know we have 180 miles to cover in the next two days, but we’re genuinely relaxed about that challenge. Knowing what we’ve conquered instills confidence in our capabilities; knowing we thrive when we’re positive allows a restful assurance that we’ll remain supportive through the coming challenges; and maybe knowing these next two days together will be our last forebodes a celebration of each coming stroke of the pedals. So today, we sit in limbo with a positive outlook: Sitting in Limbo

The feature song that I want to add today… I’ll be home to see my wife Christin in 3 days. This trip has been the longest continuous time we’ve been separated. FaceTime has been a benefit to stay in touch, but it comes nowhere close to replicating the small, unplanned, natural interactions that occur over the dinner table, communing with friends and family, or sharing a worship experience. I know we’ll both be so excited ‘cause we’re reunited (hey, hey): Three More Days