Distance: 27.1 mi, Climbed: 1,965 ft
Completed: 1,534.9 mi, 81,237 ft
The original plan for today was 53 miles to Eminence, Missouri. I use two different apps for estimating the total climbing for the day. I had mostly been relying on the Ride With GPS app for my distance estimates. But the last few days, Ride With GPS has underestimated the distance. The estimates provided by my Garmin bike computer were more accurate.
When I checked today’s proposed ride on my bike computer, I got 5,300 feet of climbing. That is a ton of climbing. While I probably could handle it, it seemed like too much work. I decided to split the ride to Eminence into two days. And good thing I did, but not because of the climbing…
I was greeted this morning with a flat rear tire. The only good news was that I had not left yet so I could change the flat indoors. It took a bit to change the flat because I had trouble getting the tire back on the rim again. But, I eventually prevailed and was able to get out the door, even if a little bit later than I expected.
The route today followed a two-lane rural highway that was busier than ideal. The scenery was less interesting which made for a somewhat boring day. Also, my legs were tired today. While the ride was fairly short, I found my self dreading even moderate hills. When I started to drag only fifteen miles in, I started thinking that it was a really good choice not to do 53 miles today. Sometimes, everything works out.
I skipped a story from yesterday’s ride because it did not have a happy ending. Speeding down a hill, I sped past a box turtle in the middle of the road. I quickly stopped with the intent to go back and take a picture. Just as I stopped, a big truck came down the road and hit the turtle. Very sad. Well, today I came across another turtle in the middle of the road. This time, I positioned my bike to protect the turtle and helped move the turtle to safety on the side of the road.
Sinclair gas stations often have dinosaur statues. But not all stores have them. I learned on the bicycle tour my daughter Annie and I did in 2021 between Zion and Yellowstone national parks that the dinosaurs are frequently stolen and end up on e-Bay. As a result, many stores stopped having dinosaurs. During our tour, we would check each Sinclair to see if it had a dinosaur. Today, I stopped for lunch at a Sinclair station. I was happy to see it still had its dinosaur.
The best part of the scenery today was the multiple river crossings. The local rivers have developed fine pebble embankments that look almost like beaches from the distance.
I also enjoyed some of the creative lawn and building decorations I saw throughout the day.
After a day when I did not feel my best, it was good to get to my hotel reasonably early. But first, a quick stop for ice cream.
We enjoyed meeting you the other day. We were the couple on the bike on the bridge. Hope your trip is going well.
Hi, Jason! So great to hear from you. I hope Amy and you enjoyed your day on the river and then the wedding in Kansas City. Here’s to more wonderful days out riding!