Day 34 Coal City, illinois (104 miles)

Today's century is a mostly flat ride on moderately busy roads through some pleasant towns.

Something about Coal City: Coal City, incorporated in 1881, is situated among the vast coal reserves that lie just south of Chicago. Peter Lansett, a Canadian, has been credited with the 1820 discovery of coal in the area. It was only later in the nineteenth century, however, that the mines around the village made Coal City a major contributor of coal to Chicago. By the twentieth century, the manufacturing of wallpaper, chemicals, concrete, and clothing began to complement the village's mining industry. The population was 4,797 at the 2000 census.

The little town was mentioned in the classic comedy The Blues Brothers. Elwood Blues (as played by Dan Aykroyd) explains that his brother Jake (John Belushi) was in prison for holding up a gas station, and then says "He pulled that job to pay for the room service tab from that Kiwanis gig in Coal City."



Playing has been at the heart of this community since its onset. Many of the residents enjoy camping, fishing, and boating at the adjoining chain of lakes consisting of abandoned mines along the northern border of Coal City. These clubs include the Coal City Area Club, Miners Club, and CECO Club. Each has their own boards and rules for membership, but provide a lot of recreational opportunities (including partying late into the night as any past big rider can tell you). The Riders are camping at the Coal City Area Club tonight.





Last night, after eating bad pizza, Chuck tried to get to sleep, but it was very hot and muggy. The portable fan, he brought along with him, has been a lifesaver/sleepsaver so far on the trip but wasn't helping much. Then at about 11 PM the storms started and kept up all night long. On top of the rain lashing at their tents, they had constant lightning and thunder. Most riders did not get very much sleep at all. Some more than others since overnight a lake formed in part of the campsite. Three people had their tents set up in the area and woke up in 3 to 4 inches of water. Most of the riders were up by 3:30 to 4:00 am and crammed under the green canopy to eat breakfast in the dark.

The morning's ride was through the flooded Illinois countryside. Chuck said that about 9 times he rode through water, over the roadway, that was over his shoes/pedals. For the first 50 miles it continued to rain but they at least had a tailwind. He said that people pretty much rode in larger groups than usual because of the bad weather.

By afternoon the rain let up but unfortunately the weather got hot and humid and a headwind started up. Chuck said that he would have rather rode in the rain with a tailwind pushing him then riding dry fighting a headwind. The riders arrived in Coal City hot, tired and cranky. Dinner was cold cut sandwiches that Suzzane's parents bought for the group.

Chuck said that the night in Coal City was one of those nights that you just lie there trying to fall asleep because there is no air movement at all. At about midnight it started raining and thundering again. The only good thing about the storm was that it cooled things off and kept the Coal City Area Club partiers quiet.