Larry's log:
We were woken up about 4 am by thunder and lightning. We hoped it was just a passing storm, and it turned out it was. By the time we left at 6, the roads were about half dry. However, we did feel a few drops as we left, and the roads were very wet about ten miles down the road. But it was not raining when we got there. We just missed it!
Just two miles into our ride, we crossed the muddy, wide Missouri River into Iowa. We took the obligatory photos at the border sign. The terrain started to get somewhat more rolling. The main difference I noticed between here and Nebraska was that the crops grew on the hills as well as the flats. In Nebraska, it seemed as if they confined the crops to the flatlands and left the rest vacant or to ranching.
The only town we really passed through in Iowa was Riverton, which was a town of 100 or 200 population. We rode by several neat looking white houses, just as you might expect to find here.
At Mile 43, we were at the Missouri line. Two things really stood out about Missouri today. One was its endless rolling hills. In fact, a couple of riders estimated that we crossed about 200 rolling hills during today's 127 mile ride. The second was the incredibly friendly people.
At the border, as we were snapping pictures, the local rural mail carrier pointed out his house that we could stop at, in case we needed to fill our water bottles. Another example, is the Mile 57 rest stop in Clearmont. The crew had set up at an intersection in town. One of the residents inquired about what was going on, and suggested that his house, which was about 1/2 mile further along the route, would be a better place. So they set up there! This person was a cyclist, too, and was having a blast talking to the various cyclists as they came through. His neighbor also came by to see what was up. His neighbor suggested calling the local press, but I don't think he acted on it.
Then, it was back to the rolling hills and lunch. The only way to describe the terrain is to say that there were few flat spots. You were either going up or down. Several of the climbs were steep, probably 8 or 10% grade. However, none of them lasted more than probably half a mile. But, there were some that would climb, level out for a few feet, then climb again. Of course, there were the downhills, too.
Lunch was in a park in the small town of Parnell, another one with population 100 or 200. The main street through town had maybe 10 or 20 buildings, only a few of which were occupied. This place had seen some better days. The side roads were all gravel. The lunch site was maybe 1/4 mile into the park. The town celebrated its centennial in 1987, and I noticed a sign in the gazebo that a time capsule was buried below, to be opened in 2037.
As we were preparing to leave, two men came out of one of the local businesses and went into the standard questions about what we were doing. Both said they are on the city council. They told us a little about the town; that it had a building from the 1890s, that there used to be a jail up where we had lunch, and that the town had been a much more thriving place back in the 1940s and 50s. They asked us to send them a postcard when we get to the end, to let them know we made it. And what really struck me was that they seemed honored that our tour had chosen their town for our lunch spot, and that their town was a part of what we were doing. I found it quite inspiring. They also suggested calling the local press, but I don't know if they did. I think if they had advance notice we were coming, the town would have rolled out the red carpet for our lunch!
Then it was 19 miles or more roller coaster riding to the town of Denver, about the same sized town as the lunch-stop. The crew needed some ice, and went to the cafe in town, the only promising place. The cafe sold them their last two bags of ice and also gave them all of the loose cubes they had in their freezer!
So, a quick stop there, and then...yep, more up and down! We passed through the small town of Martinsville, population 44. By this time, about 2 pm, the temperatures were into the low 90s, although it had been a mostly cloudy day. However, it was hot enough to melt some of the pavement asphalt. Beads would drip out from where the tar was heaviest into other areas. They made an interesting popping sound when you rode over them. One note about today's riding, it was mostly on little used state and country roads. I don't know if I was passed by any cars while we were in Missouri today.
Finally, around 3 pm, I made it to Bethany, which was founded in 1846. I haven't found out much about the town, other than that. We are staying right on I-35, which of course, goes down to Dallas. However, it curves to the east to make it to this spot. We're in the heartland!
-- Larry Schwartz
After the brief 4 am storm, the weather seemed to look a little more promising. Breakfast was held indoors in the conference room of the motel and we meet the new riders and crew. There is another tandem from Indianapolis who joined the tour for the second half. We also found out that Carolyn, the stoker of one of the tandems from the first part of the tour, had suffered a fractured pelvis on Sunday's ride!!!! What a way to finish the tour.
Daniel and I had a really good ride and we were surprised at how well we did on the rolling hills. The scenery was great and since the rain had come thru only a little bit earlier, the weather seemed almost cool. But it still was muggy.
I would say that this ride was a continuous roller coaster ride. Up and down the rolling hills that seemed to get steeper and steeper. But since the scenery was great and the townsfolk were so friendly, we really enjoyed ourselves.
The funniest part of the ride for us was around mile 114. We turned a corner and were attempting to climb a hill. I was pushing as hard as I could and I was really worried that something was physically wrong with Daniel since we were hardly moving and it was so hard. Daniel even commented on the slow speed. We stopped and I got off the bike and stepped into the melting asphalt on the road!!! Gee, it wasn't our imagination!! The bike was getting stuck in the pavement. We laughed at the situation and just pushed harder.
We did have to use our "granny gear" for the first time on the trip. Actually on 2 of the really steep climbs. But we managed to make it into the motel just shortly after 3 pm.
We spent a little time cleaning the bike and our shoes before we hit the hot tub and shower. Then to Subway, Dairy Queen and Taco Bell for dinner and dessert.
Tomorrow will be 121 miles and 4000 feet of climbing. Probably a second day of roller coaster riding!!!
Judith Jolly (and Daniel Schaaf)