Day 25 Chillicothe to Kirksville, MO, 75 miles, avg speed 15.0This is Brookfield, MO where the boss made us stop because of a major thunderstorm on the road ahead. It's OK to ride in the rain but not when there's lightning.
As we were waiting, one of the locals asked me where we were headed. I said Boston. He didn't seem too surprised. (He thought I said North Boston which I found out is a little town about 10 miles up the road from Brookfield.) When I told him we started in LA, North Boston, MO didn't seem quite right to him as our destination. We both got things straightened out at that point.
Missouri is unquestionably the toughest state by far. I'll take a Kansas any day. If you plan to ride cross country avoid Missouri at all costs. Too many hills, the road had no shoulder, and there were many potholes and cracks. Jan, one of the most pleasant women on the tour, arriving at the motel, laid her head on her handlebars and let loose a string of curses that would make a truck driver blush. That's the kind of day it was.
I had another "puncture" which makes eight total. One behind Michel who currently is in the lead.
Tomorrow we're crossing the Mississippi and we reach the 2000 mile mark. Good bye Missouri!
I do enjoy all the comments. Even the ones from crazy Old Dick.
Good for Jan....she is one of my favorite bloggers. She is honest about her feelings and abilities. I admire her tenacity in being involved in this pursuit, as I do you Sam. I am too tired this evening to be clever, so I will wish you a good day traveling to Quincy and may it be safe and not cause you to swear too much. Take care, you're not getting any younger as June 14 approaches.
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly did Jan say? If she needs some pointers on cussing - I can be of service. I love making truck drivers blush!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Dad...I'm heading to The Ville tomorrow. You don't mind if the dogs sleep in your bed with me, do you?
ReplyDeleteWe took had a 10 mile bike ride last weekend, and on a 2% or 3% down grade, I registered 16 MPH on my speedometer, which was borderline out-of-control fast. I can't imagine averaging that speed for 80 miles, especially in rough terrain. After your ride, you guys and girls should connect your bikes to a generator and power a few cities for a month or two!
ReplyDeleteHi. On to yet another state to conquer! Quincy, Illinois, I was there back in the 70's with our former employer, Firestone. As I recall, lots of bar/grill places with fried catfish on the menu --- and many were piano bars. Also, there was some goofy law prohibiting drinking beer out of a bucket while sitting on a curb after midnight... go figure!
ReplyDeleteSince Chas is taking about creating energy, you may not have been able to keep up with BP's public relations releases every day. They are becoming masters at the good news, bad news scenario.
For example, today --- "The good news: Mermaids are real. The bad news: They are now extinct."
So, keep pitchin' and eyes open, Sam, plenty of crazies between Quincy and Boston (no offense, Chas).
to beaver:.......partner?.....now i understand
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