Larry's log:
It was another warm, muggy morning starting out, about 73 degrees. It was flat to the first rest stop, so we got there way too early, since they schedule its opening based upon riding at 15 mph. Since we averaged over 20 mph, we had to wait about a half hour. Oh, well...
We went through a few small towns on the way, but nothing really memorable. The road that we were supposed to turn onto at Mile 41 was closed, so we went a little further and cut back over to it. There was also construction on the road we were currently on, and they were holding up traffic since the bridge was down to one lane. We had an interesting conversation with the pick-up next to us. After we told them what we were doing, they asked if we were doing this as a vacation. We said yes. The passenger said his idea of a vacation was a trip to the lake. We told him that might also be ours...next year.
From where we rejoined our route at about Mile 48 all the way to lunch became rolling terrain again. In general, the hills on this stretch seemed a little further apart and shorter than yesterday, but some were also high and steep. There was one where walking would have been a reasonable option. There were a few stairstep climbs that would climb, level out, and climb again. What was different, though, about today's climbs, was there was more a view ahead and to the sides once you got to the top. It was possible to look across valleys containing houses and farms, to the hills beyond. For some reason, yesterday's climbs didn't offer these vistas.
Another thing I noticed today was corn being sold from the back of pickups. I'll bet it was fresh, inexpensive and great tasting.
Our lunch was in the town of New Boston. The town consisted of a post office, garage and two taverns. There must be a lot of drinkers around here. I'm not sure where the population was to support two of these places! At lunch, I found out that we were bringing more excitement to the rural, northern Missouri countryside. One of the crew members said that there was a person sitting in front of their mobile home, counting us as we went by. He said she had counted 27 by the time he drove past.
A couple of the towns after lunch, Goldsberry and Elmer, appeared to have seen better days. In fact, Goldsberry was basically just an abandoned general store. There was a note on it that said, "Goldsberry, the last of the Missouri..." with its claim unfinished.
The motel was a welcome site at 2:30 pm, as the temperature was in the mid-90s and the humidity was about 50%. It was not a great day for me today. My body decided it was going to be a "rest day" and I basically just rode along at a slower pace than I would have otherwise. But, I still managed to be one of the first ones in, probably due to short breaks. Tomorrow is 153 miles, so I am hopeful that my "rest day" plus tonight's buffet at the restaurant next door will leave me prepared.
-- Larry Schwartz
A very fast ride to the first rest stop and we had to wait about 1/2 hour before it opened. They had a classic rock radio station playing so we kept ourselves entertained by dancing and singing.
After the flat road disappeared, we encountered some fairly steep rollers. But we pressed on thru the Missouri countryside. The heat started early and the pavement started to melt on us again!!!
The ride between the 2nd rest stop and lunch was tough, and the weather was so hot and humid that even the dogs were not chasing us.
The lunch rest stop was a treat with good music and food. We hid in the shade and replenished ourselves for the last 36 miles.
We rode with Jim Smith, a fellow rider from Salt Lake City. The conversation helped keep us motivated to the end. We did finish the ride today around 230pm and the swimming pool felt great.
After a nice shower, we hit the only restaurant in the area, the buffet place next door. So did all of the other riders. Some riders even had family from the area join them for dinner.
Tomorrow will be one of the last remaining tough days. 153 miles and 4000 feet of climbing!
Judith Jolly (and Daniel Schaaf)