Distance: 27.8 mi, Climbed: 2,974 ft
Completed: 1,562.7 mi, 84,211 ft
What a difference a day makes. Yesterday was not my best. Today was the same mileage as yesterday, but harder with even more climbing. But my legs felt great, and today was a joy. There were four short steep sections with a few hundred feet at 14% grade and lots of climbing at 9-10%. There is no way I could have done these climbs at the start of the trip, but weeks of bicycling makes you stronger.
The route today was much more scenic. I was on another rural highway, but it had less traffic than yesterday and more of a backroads feel. I was excited to be heading to Eminence, Missouri, a popular gateway to the Jack’s Fork and Current Rivers. I plan to take tomorrow off and enjoy the town and the rivers.
I stopped on the bridge over the Current River to take a few pictures. While I was snapping away, Jason and Amy pulled up on their motorcycle to enjoy the view as well. They had ridden all the way from Kentucky on their way to Kansas City for a wedding. But like me, they were planning to stay the night in Eminence and get on the river tomorrow. What was Amy’s first question about my trip? How am I getting back from Seattle. It is funny; everyone asks.
I got an early start today and only had a short ride, so I arrived in Eminence just in time for lunch. I skipped the hamburgers at the Dairy Shack and went down the road to TurnUp Greenz, a much healthier option. I met Wes outside the eatery on his way in. He lives about an hour away in Licking, Missouri. He did a ten-day bicycle tour of Missouri a few years back. Surprisingly, he did not ask about how I was getting back. Instead, he had a lot of questions about safety on the road and whether we have any trouble with drivers. I told him that I am always alert but do feel very comfortable on the road. Most drivers have been very courteous and given us lots of space. I have had a few wait behind us for five minutes while we pedaled up a hill. Still, every once in a while we get honked out or shouted out. While annoying, it’s not a big deal. Wes also warned me about the storms that are supposed to roll through town Sunday and Monday. Hmm, I was planning on leaving town on Sunday. We’ll see.
When I returned to Illinois after Together We Walk, I accidentally left my GoPro camera at home. I asked Joanna to send it to me via general delivery to the Eminence post office. General delivery allows you to send mail to someone at a post office without the need for an address. I was a little nervous about the process since I have not used general delivery before. But when I walked into the post office, it was like they knew I was coming. Without a word, the person at the counter went into the back and brought out my package. I guess my bike jersey was a dead give away that I was a 76’er and was the likely recipient of the general delivery package. Now that is service.
I am planning tomorrow to kayak the Jack’s Fork River from Alley Springs to Eminence. Should be fun.
