August 16, 2022
Nobody Warned Me About Missouri
What the heck…I thought everything after Colorado was flat until you got to Virginia. Where did all these hills (not mountains just hills) come from? They are crazy steep sometimes too. I hit 12% grade on one today. Also had the pleasure of lots of wind and rain. Can’t complain about the rain too much as I’ve been lucky with how little I’ve had to deal with it. But seriously going from 100 degree heat and humidity to high 60s - low 70s and heavy rain, that’s a little drastic of a change in one day.
Short story is I wussed out today. Just did 41 and grabbed a hotel to dry out both me and my clothes. The original plan was for about another 30 and then to camp. Seeing as it going to rain tonight and again tomorrow, I chose to not go to bed soaked, camp in the rain, and have to pack up everything wet and start all over again in the morning. So I’m dry but don’t worry I’ll be wet again bright and early.
Limited pictures as it was raining (I guess you already knew that) and I didn’t want to get my phone soaked and/or the stuff in my bag. plus I was more focused on staying safe than on looking at all the scenery. If I’m being truthful, it was dry for the first 9 miles, but it was windy and well I just didn’t take pictures today.
I do have a good story…seeing as it was raining, I stopped to put on my rain jacket. Rain pants, well heck they’re just dumb, until they’re not. When it really started coming down, I stopped at an O’Reilly’s tire store to put on my rain pants. As I was pulling away, a guy stopped me and said he had something for me? He ran back somewhere and came out with a reflective vest for me. He said it can be crazy out there and he wanted me to be safe. And then he helped me put it on correctly. All the while he was standing in his work clothes in the rain. I said thanks and rode away. Never got his name nor did I say thank you properly. So later I called the store and tried to reach him. Turns out he doesn’t work there and nobody has any idea who he was. I do…just another midwesterner with a big heart!
Another cool thing today has to do with the Missouri drivers. Every time a car or truck came up behind me on a climb, they waited far back until I crested the hill and then they safely passed me. How cool is that? Clearly none of them got their license in Jersey 😉
No barn, no sign, just a couple of random pictures.
Ian
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Today's ride: 41 miles (66 km)
Total: 1,630 miles (2,623 km)
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I’d say you are being pretty darn smart ☺️
Oh yeah Jim Mcman says that part of Missouri sure is hilly 😜……guess you just didn’t ask the experts before you entered MO ……
Stay safe love ❤️ (stay dry and warm when ya can )😘
2 years ago
2 years ago
And just a brief "cultural warning" seems in order; MO & KY are backwards states with regards to education, healthcare, etc. Most of the folks are friendly, but unfortunately there are those who don't understand why a cyclist should be on "their" road and slow them down for a few seconds - hopefully you won't meet any such folks.
2 years ago
Absolutely riding the ribbon! The biggest issue I have with it is that you can never get in a rhythm. Have experienced some 10-12% grades but they are very short. The ribbon on the other hand is relentless.
I’ve ridden the Blue Ridge from north to south and done a lot of centuries out there when I lived in Chapel Hill. Then moved to Oregon and now living outside Boulder, CO. So I guess I’ll see if I still have climbing legs when I get farther east.
Stay safe out there.
Ian
2 years ago