Just the stats: 77 miles, 13.5 MPH average, flats to rolling hills. Climbed 2,742 feet, descended 3,000 feet. Cumulative 2,047 miles. No flats today, eight in total. Rain, 60 to 73 degrees.
Today was cloudy, rainy and cool. The rain came in waves. The first ten miles were dry but we could see rain coming. This picture was taken early before the rain.
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Then the skies opened up and a deluge ensued. Luckily, I was passing by a gas station so a bunch of us riders ducked in for cover.
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The second heavier rainfall came when I was nowhere near shelter. After getting drenched, we jumped on the front porch of a home along the road. The farmer was glad to have us. After hanging out there and visiting for 45 minutes, we rode on in rain and drizzle.
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Today we also had a number of significant events. First of all, we passed the 2,000 mile mark of our trip! It feels like quite an accomplishment! We also crossed the Mississippi River, and we crossed another state line into Illinois.
If you didn't already know, I don't like driving over bridges let alone ride a bike over them. The bridge over the Mississippi in 3/4 of a mile long, high, windy, four lanes and no shoulder. There were two lanes of traffic going in our direction, so the method we use is to "take the lane" and just let cars move to the other lane and pass us. That means waiting for a break in the traffic, grouping with several riders, and then riding in the center of the lane to prevent us from getting "squeezed out" (IE: pushed over the edge!!). The motorists have been quite patient when we do this - no horns, verbal retorts, or hand gestures.
Missouri was a great state to ride through. After the deserts of the west and the flat lands of Kansas, Missouri was a nice surprise. Here we have trees, birds singing their hearts out (plenty of purple martin bird houses), smells of fresh mowed hay and even fragrant honey suckle bushes blooming, beautiful scenery (rolling farmland, cows, horses, and ponds), and great riding.
Tomorrow is another long day - 107 miles to Springfield, IL, so, I am off to bed early.
6 comments:
What a nice jersey! I rode 25 Saturday morning and thought of you as I did it -- no taking the lane for me, though...
I can just imagine you riding over the Mississippi River bridge being nervous. At least you didn't have Todd there pounding on the window making you even more freaked out!
You did it! I'm proud of you for riding across the bridge. One question - Did you have your eyes closed as you rode?
Hi Tom, There is a good reason going over bridges on a bike makes our family nervous. I always liked riding on the rain, but then, I did not have to continue on for an entire day either. I rode home and got dry! Have more fun! Mary Ellen
Tom, You are clearly having a great time. I would have loved riding those rolling hills of MO with you. And like many challenges in life crossing the bridge over the Mississippi (the big river)was accomplished by working together with others. How do people get through life without working with God?
Hay Gink - glad to see you are following my ride. - Gutter Snipe
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