May 26, 2010
Day 9 - ending at Hampton, Iowa
rode on Butler County Nature Trail, Rolling Prairie Trail
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Up at 5:25am. Last night's storm didn't amount to much, either dying out, not making it here, or I slept through it.
There was a bicycle path right in front on my camping site, though, at the time, I didn't know where it came or went.
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Here's a picture of the campgrounds' restroom/shower house, shared by campers on both sides of the lake.
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At 8:00am I heard carillon songs, but doubted I was hearing the UNI Campanile - 3.5 miles away. I planned for breakfast on-the-road, so got packed up and headed out at 8:40am.
I eventually got on Waverly Road heading north to Janesville. Didn't find a place to eat on my route through town, so kept going. Past Janesville, I found another motor grader fixing the road.
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This one turned around to follow me, so I was pressed to see if I could go faster than a working motor grader. I made it, barely!
At 10:10am, I stopped outside Pilot Mound Cemetery for a break, sitting on the north side of the slope outside the fence.
At 10:58am, I was in Shell Rock, where I stopped at the Kwik Star convenience store to buy breakfast. They were running a special on 'breakfast pizza'. I tried the offered sample. It was good, but I thought a pizza box wouldn't stay upright in my basket, so I purchased a sausage and egg biscuit sandwich instead, along with a cream soda, Rice Krispies Treat, and a Dolly Madison Cherry Pie.
A short ride north got me to the Butler County Nature Trail at 11:10am.
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Down the trail a little ways was this business that has their outdoor storage area neatly organized.
At 11:20am I found a bench along the trail where I ate my breakfast items.
On my way again at 11:42am. This is a great trail.
When I think 'Iowa farm', this is what I picture.
At 12:15pm, I was at County Road C33, where the trail ended east of Clarksville. I proceeded through town to its southwest corner, where the Rolling Prairie Trail starts.
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The trail west was closed due to the damaged bridge (arson in 2008), that I'd read about before I started.
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What I didn't know about was there was a trail going south, which I took. It led through Heery Woods State Park. Just after leaving the park, I noticed going was getting hard - a sign I'd finally learned meant a flat rear tire. After crossing Shell Rock River, I pulled off at 195th Street to add some air (that I'm also learning doesn't work). I was soon walking again, up the hill alongside the river. I passed this scene, which looked both like fun but maybe also a little dangerous.
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The Quarry Road intersection, which I came to at 1:30pm, appeared to be as good a spot as any to change out the flat tube.
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Drivers in two pickup trucks, both coming and going on Quarry Road, stopped to offer help. One was going to pick up his kids from school. I told him I hoped to be gone when he returned. I wasn't. His son thought my bike was neat!
At 2:45pm I was back on the road, and at 3:02pm, back on the Rolling Prairie Trail, headed toward Allison. Nice riding once again - until the trail ended.
At Allison I dropped down to State Route 3, hoping a straight route might be quicker than my country road route. The highway wasn't too busy, allowing for riding on the paved shoulder some of the time. Other times I was on the gravel.
A car full of teenagers passed. Very shortly after, two cans of Pepsi came flying out the rear window. Pop went everywhere - but not on me, since the cans hit the ground fifteen feet in front of me. I think they misjudged my speed.
Had a break at the Kwik Star in Dumont at 4:45pm, enjoying a large fountain Dr. Pepper with ice.
In Hampton at 6:45pm, I stopped at their Hardee's to buy a 'to-go' supper (Bacon Thickburger and cookie), and also a 'drink-here' Dr. Pepper.
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A 7:25pm I was at Beed's Lake State Park. Ten minutes later I'd decided that campsite #101 was the best one.
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Ate supper, set up the tent, talked to a few fishermen, and enjoyed the beautiful evening. There was a steady, refreshing breeze from the north.
Later I took a shower and called Tahdra with the details of my day. I didn't realize at the time how much wasn't making it into her reports!
Subject: Jeff report
Sent [by Tahdra]: Wednesday, 5-26-2010, 10:41 PM
Jeff called - he made it to Beed's Lake State Park, Hampton, Ia. He went 60 miles today. ~Tahdra
Day Nine: 59 miles in 10 hours, 55 minutes = 5.4 mph average progress.
Spent: $6.08 (breakfast) + $1.27 (soda) + $7.03 (supper) + $11 (camping fee) = $25.38.
Today's ride: 59 miles (95 km)
Total: 440 miles (708 km)
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