6-25 Thursday

Marshfield, MO to Ash Grove, MO - 48 miles - trip total 1564.72 miles

moving time: 3 hrs 9 min

stopped: 46 min

moving avg. 15.2 mph

max speed: 40.8 mph

distance: 47.73 mi

An early and quickly finished day. Sunrise was awesome today. We we're out of the church and on the road by 5:45 am.

We had to walk across a new bridge still under construction because the most recent storm wiped it out. There were signs all over the place saying, "Impassable during high water."

We stopped for a quick bathroom break which was curiously observed.

By 9:30 we were eating breakfast at Willy B's in Ash Grove, MO with nearly 50 miles under our belts, not to metion we were finished for the day. It was a schedualing thing because there were only so many miles, and places to stay with any sort of population, and we have to stay in Pittsburg tomorrow night only 70 miles away.

I stayed in the small, corner store of a public library with the sweetest librarians to stay out of the heat and catch up on the pics and blogging. I ended up dozing off for about an hour with my chair tilted against the wall and laptop in lap. I had a milkshake and a BBQ sandwhich up at the store with everyone and settled in for the night at some house in the county park. Thank goodness we were inside because it was still miserable outside even after the sun went down. relaxing day on the whole.

6-24 Wednesday

Houston, MO to Marshfield, MO - 68 miles

Another early start. Alarm went off at 4:45 am. I am awake and refreshed. Best night sleep since the beginning of the trip. It was nice riding this early as we get to ride in the shade for the most part. Even by 8 am, with about 25 miles under our belt, it's still 85 degrees and Humid. Our first rest stop was at smoll small little store that sold mainly horse bits and screws, and thankfully biscuts and gravy.

The rolling hills continued and so did the heat. uuuuppppp... dooowwwnnnn... uuuuppppp....dooowwwnnnn...

We arrived in Marshfield around 12:30 pm. We went to this small bookstore/cafe and had smoothies and used the wifi. After some blogging I dosed off for about an hour. The rest of the group woke me to say they were going to the campsite to set up and go to the pool. Dusting and I were showing the local kids how its done with cannonballs and can-openers. After the pool we headed over to the First Baptist Church for a feast. They were so kind to prepare all that food and drink for us.

We got there just in time as the heavens opened up and dumped its wrath upon us.

The church was further kind enough to let us stay the night in their gym. So thankfully for being too anxious to get in the pool that afternoon I didn't set up our tents and therfore didn't have to worry about going back to the site for my gear. Thank you Marie and James for the food and support last night! Stephanie, our prayers are with you, stay strong and healthy, you have a beautiful family and we wish you the best!

6-23 Tuesday

Ellington, MO to Houston, MO - 70.31 miles

Lots of great climbs today. Continuing through the Ozarks and through the most variable terrain I'd say before we hit the Rockies. A couple of intense hills that nearly required screaming at them because they were making my whole existence hurt. Cant complain about the scenery though.

The rolling hills continue as we left the Ozarks. In order to beat the hills we have to race down them pedalling as fast as you can, then crank up the hill using the full range of each gear as we down shift up to the crest of the hill where you are able to catch your breath only for a second before you have to go down the next hill... and over and over and over...

Great to see more CC riders. We passed a British couple, fully loaded with trailers in tow. They ended up staying at the same motel as us that day.

Yes, I admit, we stayed in another motel. But completely worth the $11 bucks to recharge from the heat as there was yet another heat advisory for our location. Luckily we made it to the motel before noon so we had the whole day to relax. I ended up taking a much needed four hour nap as it was my turn to sleep in the bed today.

6-22 Monday

Farmington, MO to Ellington, MO - 61.81 miles

Back to the Bauhaus Kaffee before we hit the road for a breakfast sandwhich and coffee... great coffee. We checked out the map and swallowed our nerves as we crawled further into the Ozarks. We passed through the Mark Twain National forest early in the morning.

Nothing to incredible to speak of in terms of hill climbs, though its what we did all day. The hard had suffered a severe windstorm the week proir that had left considerable damage.

We couldn't have arrived at Ellington soon enough as the heat really started to crank. We rode to the local park where we anticipated staying but figured the night would be better faired in a motel. Between the heat and humidity, you barely sleep and dont feel refreshed in the morning which only hurts your next day's ride. I didn't mind paying the $11 for the room as I sat on the bed in the A/C watching the heat advisory on the weather channel which again had our location at a heat index of 105.

I had 3 milkshakes today, one while riding and two across the street from the motel, which was convenient to say the least. Then we climbed into the river behind the motel to cool off, throw the frisbee and attempt to catch one of the hudreds of tadpols that were swimming with us. Feel asleep nicely in artificial 60 degree air... nice.

6-21 Sunday

Chester, IL to Wilson-Rozier City Park in Farmington, MO - 50.8 miles

Woke up at 4:45 am again, which was a great decision because the heat index was around 100+ at noon time. We took a couple more pictures of Popeye's hometown before we descended out of Chester and down to the Mississippi.

It was still fairly dark when we crossed the bridge into Missouri.

Entering into Missouri for the first time in my life. 6 am.

This is the beginning of our venture into the Ozarks. We had heard tales of incredible slopes from riders passing the other direction. Today we had so good long climbs, but only a taste of what was to come.

Finished the day off in Farmington at the Bauhaus Kaffee for some smoothies. We arrived before noon so we had the whole day available, and since this place had wifi I decided to stay for a while.

While trying to catch up on my blog we met some amazing folk who felt inspired to hold a BBQ for us at the local park where we were staying. What they did for us was amazing saying thank you I felt was barely enough to show our gratitude. Great people! and thank you to all that came, brought food, and shared our company!

6-20 Saturday

Devils Kitchen Lake campground to Chester, IL - 64 miles

Wokeup at 4:45 am today in order to beat the heat. Road 10 miles into Carbondale IL. and ate at a little diner that loaded us up with biscuts & gravy.

Today we road along the Mississppi levy route which brought us through farmland along the river. We stopped roadside for a break and found shade under a huge conveyor belt that was taking the very same coal that the trucks were driving out of the mountains of eastern Kentucky over the road and out onto barges in the river.

We arrived in Chester, home of Popeye the sailer man, around noon. There was a couple mile long hill leading into town that was a real kuck in the chin to finish off the day. But all was made well with a double cheesburger and a milkshake.

That night we camped behind the Fraternal Order of the Eagles. This place was a trip to say the least. And to top it off they were having a legit rodeo in the adajacent lot. I couldn't think of much better than pizza, beer and a rodeo all at my doorstep... except for the fact it didn't go below 85 degrees all through the night. Thanks for a great night FOE, and for the pizzas, they were the perfect food to feast on from the handlebar bag while riding the next morning.

6-19 Friday

Golconda, IL to Devils Kitchen Lake campground - 51.8 miles

Not much to say on the day except for the heat! Don anticipated this and left with Kristen as soon as light broke and in the following days, the group would soon follow this lead. Leaving at 6 is so much nicer than leaving at 8. By 8 am its already 95 degrees out. I felt fairly sluggish in the morning but by afternoon I was feeling better, having met up with a couple other riders.

Perhaps it was the heat, but we ended up missing our turn and staying straight on a road for and extra 4 miles, for a total of 8 unecessary miles. Having made it to the final check point, I ate some fried chicken and a quart of chocolate milk and I was back on the road.

As soon as I arrived I realized our campsite was on a lake, so I quickly changed and was in that lake in 10 minutes... It was all worth it!

6-18 Thursday

Sebree, KY to Golconda, IL - 89.2 miles

Another day of roasting temperatures during our last day in Kentucky. I was ready to leave quite frankly. I had enough dog chases and coal trucks to last a life time. Western Kentucky helped to make up for my overall image of the state. It was neat to ride through Elizabethtown, where my father, brother and co. stay every year for the Derby. Had biscuts & gravy at the halfway mark to carry me the rest of the way. We crossed the Ohio River at what we thought was to be the end of the day in the city of Cave in Rock.

After a milkshake and a burger at the local cafe, we decided to go another 23 miles to Golconda to their public park. Those 23 miles were probably just as difficult as the entire day before. It's so drainging to be in that heat. It was a struggle to even sleep that night for how humid it was. The park was cool, it was beside a river.

6-17 Wednesday

Falls of Rough, KY to Sebree, KY - 74 miles

Started the day off the right way with an endless buffet at the Rough River Dam State Park lodge.

They definitely lost proffit between Dustin and I, ha. Today we rode through our first 1000 miles. I celebrated with an orange slurpee... It must have been 100 degrees out. I guess the gods decided to give us a break from the endless rain we've been pressing through the last 2 weeks and give us some sunshine. Unfortunatly it was a little too much with temps in the high 90's and killer humidity.

We decided from this day on we wouldn't leave to start the day past 8am because the heat is just too brutal. It was a long and arduous day but we recovered in the bliss of the A/C at the First Baptist Chruch in Sebree, KY. Today was easily top 3 hardest days so far, just miserable. But what a reward this church was, it had it all! A/C, showers, laundry, and an unforgetable Thanksgiving like feast prepared by Violet & Bob that almost put me comatose during dessert... angelfood cake, strawberries, ice cream, and whipped cream... Thanks again, you're so generous! So we weren't exactly roughing it that night.

6-16 Tuesday

Hodgenville, KY to Rough River Dam State Resort Park in Falls of Rough, KY - 60 miles

We woke up to an emtpy and clean trailer... how nice! Yesterday we took everything out to clean and repack it. It worked great and the trailer, now more than every, is an extremely functional and key unit to this trips success.

Otherwise, today was nasty. Not a killer ride, fairly easy and we made great pace, But we left in the a.m. in pouring rain and arrived into camp this evening in the pouring rain.

In the middle in was blazing hot with a beating sun. We took one stop for lunch, which left us with about 30 miles to get into camp. As we devoured our chicken tenders and milkshakes from some gas station we watched the weather and thought they were joking with what we saw. A wall of green, yellow, and red was headed our way. Just shy of 4 miles into camp it started to dump on us, with 30 mph winds to boot. We watched a blackening sky for the last 10 miles, in fear of lightning strikes and still pressed on. We made it in fine style for a buffet dinner at the lodge to drive ourselves off. Shower, laundry, wifi... I may be camping but I feel like i'm staying at the Ritz with these amenities.

We also saw some Amish today...

6-15 Monday

Bardstown to Larue County Community Park in Hodgenville KY - 40.5 miles

We were able to sleep-in today considering our epic ride the day before.  We decided to do 40 miles and stay on our present time frame.  The end of last night was plagued with flat tires as our group got 4 within the final hour of riding.  Amanda and I continued this luck into today as we both got flats.  Here is Amanda, now a champion at the process, changing her tire sometime in the a.m.

We're now starting to enter the agriculture of America.  Wide sweeping plains of corn, wheet, and beans now begin to line the sides of the road.

Per usual, we caught about an hour of rain at the end of the day.  We stayed at a park with terrible plumbing... now hot water, toilets that barely flushed, and faucets that spattered.  We were joined with great company as two people that were met on the '07 trip came with goodies, food & drink!  Thanks Matt and Michelle.  

6-14 Sunday

Berea KY to Old Kentucky homestead campground in Bardstown - 94.35 miles

Fire Houses and churches are definitely the way to go. Stayed at the city of Berea firehouse where Don and I woke everyone up with a blast of the siren's from the ladder truck. Those guys had a great sense of humor.

We were only scheduled for about 65 miles on the day, but encountered an unfortunate set back in that Lincoln Homestead no longer does camping, and the next closest campsite was either 18 miles off the route or another 30 miles down route. So in all our glory we decided to go for it which put us at 94.5 miles on the day, almost a century. As we started into the last 30 miles the weather soon turned ominous... nothing out of the norm for this trip anyway.

After the skies cleared we ran into a couple east bound riders. The left real early, April 15th. It was incredible to see them, 2 months into the trip, and excited that their journey would soon be over in 2 weeks. But they still had the 2 weeks left that we just went through. Not a fun way to end such a long journey if you ask me, ha.

6-13 Saturday

Booneville to Berea KY - 59.3 miles

Relatively short day today, 58 miles.  Day started with a low fog.  Woke up early to the smell of Don grilling up some bacon egg and cheeses'.  We only took one break today, which allowed us to roll into Berea around 3pm.  We're staying at another firehouse tonight, camping in the front lawn.  Churches and firehouses are definitely the way to go!  The terrain was much different from the previous few days. I think we're headed out of the mountains.

We're still surrounded by them but we're riding the valley's and follwing the rivers to get us further west.  The land here is still so variable on a smaller scale.  Much lower elevations than virginia but the the climbs are incredibly steep.  Weather was great the rest of the day.  We're still running into other random CC riders.  Hooked up with a kid named Chase, hailing from Texas.  He's been with us for the last few days and has a great attitude so we all chipped in and got him a jersey, making him an honorary member of BiketheUSforMS.