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!