Ride the Ups and Downs

We woke up around 9:30 to the smell of sausage being cooked outside. We were a little late for wake up but we slept grandly in the RV. 

After a generous helping of eggs, sausage, and orange juice, we were ready to roll on out. Kevin was going to join us for the ride out to Chesteron, which seemed further than I believe it was because of our leisurely pace. Kevin rode the laid-back styled recumbent, looking pretty cool in the process?

I dunno how long it was to Chesterton but it felt like a long time. The pace made my eyes heavy. Josh and I began rethinking Chicago. Not only had Mike worried us but last night, Kevin scared us too.

Josh asked the magic question, "So, how's riding through Chicago?"

Kevin looked at us stone-cold seriously and went, "Do not go to Chicago. Stay out of that place."

Silence for six seconds, Josh and I stunned.

Today, I texted my buddy Coop saying we were rethinking things. I also wrote a message to our friend Dave from London, Ontario about it. Both told us it was lovely bike riding, and to stay out of the South side. We've crafted a route that follows a bike route all of the way to my buddy Coop's house, so we're gravy. Can't let other people's fears be mine.

Along our 20 mile bike ride to Hammond, we met several people that reinvigorated our faith in humanity. Just past the town of Hobart... where the attractice hotel lobby lady Holly lives, we met Shawn, Maureen, Billy, and another Ralph! 

"Hey, you guys need help?" asked Shawn as he pulled up next to us on the bicycle path.

"We're looking for a motel in Hammond but we're not really sure how to get there," said Josh.

Hammond was one of the places Kevin warned us about. Although we're on the outskirts, it definitely hasn't lived up to its bad reputation so far. 

Shawn and Maureen told us we could follow them until the path split, one way heading north to our destination and the other heading south.

On the way, they told us about a man named Billy that's pretty famous on the path. He helped people with their bikes and basically made friendly conversation with anybody that stopped.

At the crossroads, Shaun and Maureen came with us north to see if Billy was there.

The burly figure was there, chatting with two other bikers by the names of Ralph and Debra. Billy was wearing skintight spandex, which wasn't fun for anyone else. However, the man was very generous, telling us stories and giving us a bike map. He told us where to go to get to Lakeshore, where my buddy Cooper lives. We only heard positive things about the ride through Chicago.

"Hey, you g-guys wanna just f-follow me n-north?" stammered Ralph. He had a slight stuttering problem but I thought about how hard it must've been to be succesful with it. Even though I knew nothing about it, I felt proud for Ralph.

Ralph was born in Puerto Rico but only lived there for six months before moving to the US. His father, also Ralph, was called back from the Korean War when his son was born. His platoon ended up being entirely wiped out. Ralph told us that his father always said that his birth saved him. Ralph currently worked real estate. The man took us down the trail we're taking tomorrow and showed us where the motels were.

And here we are in Hammond. Into Chicago along the shores of Lake Michigan tomorrow.