TenLinks Bike Across America
Daily Log

Day 20 - Land of Lincoln

Today had just about all the makings of a perfect cycling day--cool weather (high 40s at 6:30AM) and sunlight. The Weather Channel, which is the favored channel these days, showed not a single molecule of rain on the way. So you could hardly blame me for shooting out of the gate like a race horse. I kept up a brisk pace all day and despite a headwind, made excellent time, getting in to the hotel at 2PM.

A day like today warms the soul

I'll have to take it easy tomorrow, though. My pace today made me aware of my knees, which were protesting by the time I was done. I did a quick accounting of what hurts after day 20 shows little of consequence:

• Knees: just a little sensitive

• Legs: tested, but not sore

• Feet: fine

• Bottom: stopped hurting last week some time

• Hands: blisters turning into calluses

• Back: fine

• Neck: a little sore but not requiring pain killer

• Cuts, sores, road rash: none

Springfield's new Capitol building at dusk

The little I saw of Springfield, IL, has already endeared it to me. It's downtown seems perfect for ambling about in. An annual art festival was in full swing and I saw many paintings, sculptures, carvings and photographs from artists from all over the country. The restaurant recommended by the hotel delivered about 2 lbs of food for $5.95. Okay, I admit I'm not exactly a discerning gourmet during this trip. Quantity easily outranks quality when I have to pack in 5,000 to 6,000 calories a day.

A "horseshoe," bread, sliced beef, cheese, french fries. Good and good for you. A local specialty but I never got a good explanation of how it was named.

For more information, please contact:

Roopinder Tara, CEO/President, TenLinks, Inc., Novato, CA 94947, USA

(415) 897-8800 x 221

rtara@tenlinks.com

www.tenlinks.com/bikeacrossamerica