Date: August 22, 2005
Route: Hannibal , MO to St. Charles , MO
Distance: 96 miles
Ride Time: 7h 15m
Elevation Climbed: 3940
Weather: low 90s
Log
I left the hotel at 6:30am . We all got an early start because we knew the day would be hot and long with heavy traffic at the end. I climbed out of Hannibal and followed the river. I had to stop to capture the sunrise and fill my lungs with cool morning air.
Our route stuck to 79 South for 86 miles. Almost all the climbing occurred before the first SAG at mile 33. Oh, those Missouri hills! Elation flying down, misery crawling up. My speed would vary between 3+ mph to 44+ mph. If I didn’t shift at the right time I would lose my momentum or, far worse, have to descent and try the climb again. There’s no standing up on a recumbent! For quite some time I had been seeing signs for Louisiana , each time the mileage decreasing. Finally I arrived --- though not the Louisiana of etouffee, jambalya, zydeco and jazz.
After the second SAG stop at mile 68, I picked up a ever-so-slight tailwind. It made the final 28 miles a little easier. The traffic was heavy but I just stayed on the shoulder, dodging glass and garbage, and made it to the hotel by 3:15pm .
Right before route rap Daniel arrived. He is my friend from XC03 who lives in Louisville . He drove all this way to wash my bike. What a guy!
Tomorrow is our first rest day. After 9 days of riding, and over 700 miles, it will be a welcome relief!
