Back At It

After the much-needed rest day, I was back in the saddle today. Without being too graphic, I’m sure everyone reading this has had blisters. Try sitting on them on a bike seat for a week! I don’t recommend it. I used my day off to research internet remedies and order supplies delivered from the local Wal-Mart. I’m pleased to say something worked. It might have just been time, or it might have been a combination of the internet solutions. Regardless, I had my best day of riding yet!

I covered just over 96 miles and nearly 5500’ of elevation gain, with wind chills in the high 30’s when I started and high 50’s by the end of the day. The ride started with about 28 miles of Route 66. I saw everything from a dance studio to a dog salon named after it. I still

don’t get it. People longing for things that have been gone since long before most of them were born. After that, it was a steady flow of ups and downs across the Ozark Plateau in south central Missouri. For once, the lack of towns and people was matched by an appropriate lack of vehicles. I had three great stops too. The first at the Casey’s in Marshfield where Steve, the manager, had an unending stream of niceties for every person that walked through the door. I grabbed a hot chocolate and a croissant breakfast sandwich and Steve grabbed a chair and just let me sit in the middle of one of the aisles while I listened to him and ate my food. Next was lunch at the Hartville Cafe, “Where the Elite Meet to Eat.” Zak, the 18-year old with the dyed crimson red hair, pretty much ran the whole place. By the sounds of his conversations with the other guests, he’ll be running the town soon enough. A nice salad bar was a bonus. After lunch, I finally cranked my music back up. I hadn’t listened to it in several days, mostly on account of the traffic. My final stop was at a little convenience store in Bendavis. Before I was even off my bike, 7-year old Alannah (the Angel) and 5-year old Thomas (the Turd) were running over to greet me. (The nicknames were bestowed by the children‘s father, who ran the store). I went in for a Coke and a candy bar, and signed their guest book. The stop is on the Transamerica Trail and they get cyclists in from time to time. Everyone signs in. Alannah and Thomas insisted I sit with them and eat my snack.

I made it into Houston, Missouri and was lucky to get the last room at the Lazy L for the night. Not sure what other options I would have had!

This one was no surprise to me!