Wow, a perfect biking day! Not a cloud in the sky, no wind, cool temps, little traffic, and post card country scenery.
Today was 148 roller coaster hills with 2800' of climbing 8 - 14% grade slopes over 74 miles. The name of the game was to peddle as hard as you can down hill to get going really fast(40 mph once) and then peddling as hard as you can going up hill to crest the top before your momentum was gone. It worked on half the hills, but in ether case it was work. After 100 hills the fun turned to really hard work. None the less, great memories. I was still struggling with a cold, so backed off the effort today in the hopes I can shake the bug in several days...before we do a 107 mile century.
On aspect deserving attention is that Missouri is clearly the road kill capital. Rarely do we travel a mile without seeing a dead raccoon, possum, deer, etc. One of our colorful bikers has been named "Road Kill Gil." Several days ago he collected a hand full of bird feathers from some unfortunate bird and taped them to his helmet. If that wasn't enough, yesterday he stopped at one of the raccoons and managed to pull off it's tail so he could tape it to his helmet. He was smart enough to put the tail in a baggie and upon close inspection, back at the motel, found it was infested with bugs. Not to be deterred, he then proceeded to add some Clorox to the bag, which did take care of the bugs, but when he washed the tail it fell apart. I am sure there will be another chapter to this story.
Tomorrow we cross the Mississippi into Illinois and pass the 2000 mile point.
Stats: 75 miles, 15.5 mph avg, 2800' climbing, light winds, temps 55 - 75 dig.
1 comment:
Gill sounds like an interesting chap. Nevada County would be a good place for him to hang out! We have even had bear hit by cars. Connor would enjoy hanging out with him too!!
Love ya,
Jackie
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