It's another sizzler - isn't this getting old? My bicycle computer/odometer registered 100 degrees at 1000 and 106 degrees when I stopped after 70 miles at noon. If you are on our route, don't for a minute think that your house is safe from us using you hose, with or without spray nozzle, regardless of whether you are home or not, for a good soaking. We are getting to be garden hose experts, able to spot them from miles away from the seat of a bike going 17 mph. The benefits of being completely wet while riding last for a good 10 miles, so thank you to all of you who have contributed to our temporary comfort without even knowing it! Shade, here in Illinois and every state we've passed through thus far, is really at a premium. It is difficult to stay hydrated even with every ounce of focusing on drinking that we can muster. We eat salty things, take electrolyte tabs, drink Gatorade and guzzle from our Camelbacks and still go for long stretches without peeing. Also, we are now totally immodest about where we pee - any old roadside, even without cover will do, or we sometimes open both doors of the sag to create a bit-o-privacy, such as it is.

My camera is having problems. Susan Rosenthal, a mechanical engineer and alumna of our Southern Tier trip in 2009, is almost working full time advising us about all the mechanical issues that arise. It was she who diagnosed my faulty hub and she is also great at computer stuff, which those of you who know me will be able to appreciate. Besides me, there is another nurse and an ENT with our group, and lots of people with extensive bicycle touring expertise. We're taking care of each other. Bye for today.