Tailwinds from Chicago

I spent the past 25 days counting down the miles until reaching my home city of Chicago. It came down to about 1,200 miles between New York City and Chicago – where family, friends, familiarity, and best of all, flat lands awaited. I’ve seen NYC, DC, Philly, and many other cities, but nothing compared to the feeling I had while riding along the lakeshore looking northward on the picturesque skyline of Chicago. I am so fortunate to call this place my home.It was great to be home and to see family and friends. Talking with people really reinforced why I am taking this journey across the country. I am humbled by all of the love and support I have received, and this is what will carry me forward. My time in Chicago, the people who went out of their way to see me or to be at Millennium Park for my arrival or at the the picnic will be the force behind my pedal strokes.Thank you to everyone on the SRM leadership team at Aon for coming to support me as I rolled into your backyard, Millennium Park. Your support means a great deal to me.Thank you, especially to Kimi, Karen, and Kathi and Mary Keller, who have been my biggest cheerleaders!! Thanks Kimi for riding with me into Chicago – it truly meant so much to me!Thanks Gina Althoff for your endless support and for riding alongside me last week through Chicago. You continue to teach me so much on and off the road and I would never be where I am today if it weren’t for you … that said only because you are the one who taught me how to properly use my gears.My city, the Windy City, and all of my supporters there (as well as everywhere) will be my constant tailwind pushing me across this country, and I will be forever grateful.