Date: August 27, 2005
Route: Cape Girardeau , MO to Union City , TN
Distance: 93 miles
Ride Time: 6h 15m
Elevation Climbed: 1800’
Weather: overcast 80s
Log
Three states today; hills, flood plains, country roads, freeways, rumble strips, and a ferry ride all packed into 93 miles. I kissed Missouri goodbye, said hello to Kentucky , and ended in Tennessee . We were relieved that the predicted hot, humid weather did not materialize. Instead, we had high overcast skies with several miles of head winds.
Most of the group went to breakfast in a nearby restaurant leaving 5 of us eating the continental offering at the motel. I always eat oatmeal. If it is available at the motel, or if I have some squirreled away in my suitcase, I will always forego the restaurant option.
Jim was one who also stayed. He suffered a kidney stone in Dubuque and’ after his release from the hospital’ went home to Asheville to recuperate. To our great surprise and delight, he rejoined us in St. Louis , accompanied by his wife, Pat. She shadowed our route for a few days then, satisfied that he would be able to continue the ride, went home. We all promised to make sure he drinks enough water. We finished breakfast at the same time and I thought just maybe we would be able to ride together. This is the flattest day of the tour so far and I hoped he wouldn’t drop me on the last stretch of Missouri hills. Wonder of wonders, we rode a similar pace. The company made the miles go fast. Incredibly, we were the first to the SAG stop! Of course we left about 15 minutes ahead of the strongest, fastest riders who were eating at the restaurant. They soon reeled us in and order was restored.
After the first 20 miles the route flattened out. I rode 50 miles rarely even shifting gears. We made pretty good time even with the strong headwind. I snapped this picture of the courthouse in Mississippi County , MO. At mile 72 we gathered for the ferry ride across the Mississippi River . Eleven cyclists, eleven bicycles, and one SUV made their way languidly from Missouri to Kentucky. After cycling only 10 miles in Kentucky , we crossed into Tennessee . There was no Tennessee welcome sign on our road … I’ll have to look for one later.
Gene. our leader, always gives a history lesson or tells us interesting facts at route rap before we actually go over the course for the next day. Yesterday we learned about kudzu and today he talked about biscuits and red-eye gravy, chiggers, fire ants and goat head thorns. We were cautioned about where to park our bikes, where to sit, and where to walk. Yikes! I think in the south it is safest to eat our biscuits and gravy on the bike while pedaling quickly down the road.
