Bishop Bike Adventure Day 42 August 11, 2010

Today started in very encouraging fashion. Despite another very hot day, the wind direction had reversed and we soon found ourselves cruising east on the flat roads lined with fields at 20+ mph. After knocking out quite a few miles, Tim noticed some noise coming from his front tire. The tire was beginning to fail. What appeared like a certain 100+mile day turned into something much different.

Another bad omen was our entrance into the small ghost town of Cabery. Both routes out of town that we might have taken, the one to the east and the one to the south, had detours. We consulted with the locals and they explained an alternative route adding a few miles, but one that we could accept given the alternatives. The day had become very hot at this juncture.

We stopped in Chebanse and called several bike shops before they closed in order to make arrangements. It became apparent that, at this mileage interval, it would be wisest to replace all four tires before the others failed as well, and failed at an inopportune location without access to the right bike shop. We discovered that there was only one viable option within a large geographic area, the Tern of the Wheel in Bradley, 15 miles off route to the north. Steve, the owner, offered to take the four spare tires to his house in Kankakee in order to make them more accessible to us. His customer service became even more unbelievable when he offered to change them for us at his house. He said he could direct us to a motel once we met him at his house. So off we went to the north. We had logged 60 miles to the east, and would end our day of riding at 70 with 10 more miles to the north.

When we arrived at Steve’s house, we were greeted by Steve and his wife, Joan, as well as four large, barking dogs! The last time Tim had multiple barking dogs race toward his bike was not a happy memory, but this time things were different. Shortly after arriving, Steve asked us if we would like to stay the night, which we accepted while dumbfounded by this act of caring and generosity. He changed all four tires in his back yard while giving us helpful advice on bike maintenance, Joan fed us tacos, and the couple allowed us showering facilities and a comfortable bed for the evening. Joan offered us laundering facilities for our dirty clothes. The next morning, we enjoyed a breakfast at a local café with Joan and visited Steve’s bike shop before resuming our ride.

Needless to say, this experience was very encouraging. We observed that both Steve and his wife Joan, who teaches French at a local Catholic high school, are very committed to their vocations. Thanks to them for making what could have been a difficult situation a very enjoyable and memorable experience. We appreciate a new understanding of Illinois and Midwest hospitality.