Day 25: On the Road, Turning Left, Our Future Children
Posted on 15. Jun, 2009 by carlos in Touring
- Within 30 minutes into the ‘On the Road’ audiobook, I realized an eery similarity of routes. From NY area to Pittsburgh to Chicago to North Platte…Kerouac even mentions Ogallala Nebraska (one of our stops).
- Finding a small bit of food to play with in your mouth is a lot of excitement on a 40 mile stretch. It becomes even more fun when you realize it was a bug that had flown into your mouth.
- Boring roads make the time slow down.
- Only eating Nature Valley bars for lunch heeds a rough night for your stomach.
- After a long ~60 mile stretch of road, the most exciting thing we did was turn left.
- We are contemplating not following detour signs anymore. Cars probably can’t get through, but bikes can shimmy around most.
- The longer stretches of corn require us to carry backup water bottles.
The Real Children of the Corn
We arrived to the outskirts of Moline, Illinois to find an increase of the lower income urban feel. The shock was not the town, as we had passed through a few of these before, but rather a group the 5-6 year olds jumping on a trampoline to our right. We were going at a slower speed to make sure our directions were correct. At first we only heard shouts, which became more audible as we approached. “Gay bikes you *ssholes,” said the milano’esque ring leader. “Suck my d*ck, you cock sucker,” he screamed with little knowledge of the meaning.
We turned the bikes around just to see him sprint to the back of the house. It was a small win for us, but a game he never should have never been a part of.
Angela
15. Jun, 2009
Hey guys-I didn’t know you were going through my old stomping grounds of the Quad Cities! I went to high school in Moline and lived in Davenport briefly before fleeing into the night (apparently you can see why). Not everyone is like that, tho, and there’s some cool stuff there. Did you go across the 74 bridge? I am weirdly afraid of bridges now but 20 some years ago crossed that one daily. Keep safe out there!
Angela (wife of PJ)
Krista Reck
15. Jun, 2009
Not all of us are like that! Looking forward to seeing you in Des Moines!
Cassi Yost
15. Jun, 2009
Hi guys – some really great posts of recent days. Very sorry to hear that Chicago (and IL, incl Moline) was kind of a bummer. I grew up in the western ‘burbs there, and although I wouldn’t move back, Chicago can actually be a pretty nifty city. Sorry your experience wasn’t.
I’m amazed at how quickly you’re moving. Love the photos and updates. Stay safe!
Seth Ladd
15. Jun, 2009
Wow. Just wow. Real Geeks Take No Crap.
amanda mckee
15. Jun, 2009
oh i live in silvis Illinois which is 20 minutes from davenport Iowa. hope you have a great time here!!!!
how long are you staying in Iowa??
Samantha Soper
15. Jun, 2009
Solution: Punch babies. When they cry, tell them they momma shoulda taught ‘em better.
John Bender
15. Jun, 2009
A friend who went to grad school in Iowa City told me river towns are tough. I guess your little pal on the trampoline bears that out. I hope Iowa makes up for Illinois.
Jacki Allen
15. Jun, 2009
I have been reading your site with interest as I am one of those “concerned” mothers as my son will be heading out this Sunday and biking from Madison WI to Portland OR. His route is taking him down to Lawrence KS first and then out west to San Francisco area and then up the coast to Portland. Reading your posts makes me feel a little more at ease about this trip..I only wish that he had a riding companion but will have to make due with the knowledge that many of his online friends plan to meet him along the way and ride parts of the route with him.
Kaily
15. Jun, 2009
Carlos! I tell you to be careful, and what happens this morning?! You almost fall off your bike.
I told my sister about the pig. She almost died laughing. :]
I really hope you guys get the chance to make more memories about barfing teachers, mice with chainsaws, and snuggling with stuffed animals. :]
Evren Kiefer
16. Jun, 2009
That’s an encounter that could be in “On The Road”
It’s one of my favourite novels. I hope you like it.
Becky
16. Jun, 2009
Glad you’re in Iowa now. Friends of mine did the RAGBRAI ride across Iowa – 5000 riders, sponsored by a newspaper for charity, and towns compete to host riders. Should be bike friendly there. The miles that you are doing are amazing! And to think that less than a month ago you were newbies. Would have liked to hear about the 158 mile day from Ft. Wayne to just outside of Chicago – too much pain to recall it? Or now it’s just “old hat”? Gotta go – riding to work this morning!
Marlene
16. Jun, 2009
Small children acting that way towards strangers? That is incredibly sad for a Mom to hear. If their behavior is that way now, imagine them as adults. Nevermind, don’t want to go there in my mind….Be safe you two!
Beth
17. Jun, 2009
Sorry to hear I missed you on your way through the Quad-Cities. But I believe you met my brother-in-law today in Des Moines at Hy-Vee. Good luck on the rest of your trip. You have another person keeping an eye on you!
Daniel Philipson
20. Jun, 2009
dude, that sucks, i woulda proabably got off my bike and started walking toward them to scare them off…but then again…they probably have guns and crap on a farm like that…stupid kids….they need to be smacked around and taught some manners!