So as mentioned earlier, Agatha and I got out this weekend to do some riding around Sabula and Galena. She is officially on the roster for Trans Iowa V9 (insane) so training has commenced. Both her and my current roommate will be on the starting line in April, so while I am not participating, I feel like I'll be going on plenty of training rides considering they are probably the two people I ride with most. I am stoked to feed off their drive to get ready as well as keep them motivated through the winter. ANYWAY, Agatha has a secret base located in Jo Daviess county which makes weekend missions out to that area too easy to refuse, especially when temperatures are in the 50's and 60's in DECEMBER. So we drove out to headquarters on Friday night and hit the sack. Saturday we got up and made the 20 minute drive over the river to Sabula and did a nice 50 miler on the Iowa side. Weather was humid and warmed throughout the day. The sun never broke the clouds once and the gloom and mist made for a surrealistic ride. B roads, C roads (Shhh don't tell anyone, no trespassing allowed), rollers and gravel defined the day. Sunday we did 40 miles in Jo Daviess county hitting some massive gravel hills with 12%-13% grades. The weather was unbelievable. We were both sweating our asses off in short sleeves on the second day of December in Illinois. Just nuts. It was a phenomenal weekend of riding. We both decided it felt good to do two slightly shorter rides instead of one punishing bonk ride. Build up instead of tearing apart or something like that. Not to say there isn't a place for that type of riding, especially for someone with ride like T.I. coming up in the near future. Sometimes it's just nice to have fun though.
Overall, we did a little over 90 miles with ~7,000 feet of climbing for the weekend. Today, I feel fucking great. Nothing like a weekend of bikes, sunshine, and country roads to beat the winter/end of semester blues into submission.
"Welcome to Iowa bitches", this hill seemed to say, looming in the distance.
This badass coonhound followed us around for at least 3 or 4 miles and at speeds up to 17 mph. He would beat us up the hills and just wait for us to catch him. He displayed no aggression towards us. I think we were just his entertainment for the day.
Big river rock near Bellvue, IA. Time, water, and wind can do amazing things. They will erase all traces of our messes someday.
Lurking around on B Roads at night is a fun and healthy passtime.
View from Terrapin Ridge on Sunday. Hell yes, this is the Illinois I love.
Secret location in Jo Daviess county where strange rituals are being performed. The meaning of this structrue is yet unknown.
More evidence of strange activity discovered in the rural country side. Something is happening out in NW IL. Perhaps we will return here to pray for strength come April.
Agatha and I found a nice place for a romantic picnic. Be sure to make reservations in advance.
