Checkpoint. Partly cloudy at the start but it quickly changed to total cloudy. Cold - around 33 degrees, variable winds @ 8-10 mph from the West at the start, shifting to SW then South but dropping in intensity to 4-6 mph. Seemed like the wind was in my face for the majority of the ride... Challenging conditions with wet and mucky gravel for most of the ride, so pretty slow going with 75% gravel on the route. I noticed while downloading the ride video that a spot of gravel muck was affixed to the lense from about 2 miles into the ride, so not as many pictures as usual for me. But on the bright side, discovered a new Forest Preserve - Chief Shabbona - which is on the NE side of Shabbona State Park, and I rode on several new gravel roads. Also saw 8 deer - a group of 3 and a group of 5 - always fun. As usual, just thoroughly cleaned the bike and it got pretty trashed with caked on gravel, as did my boots and tights, but fortunately I put on the rear fender before the ride so the jacket is clean. I'm going to have to break out the hose again in the next few days to at least clean the worst stuff off the bike.