85 mi, 2,793ft gain, 50-81F / humid with 8-15mph winds
I made it to Missouri today!! So surreal. after what felt like a month in Kansas, we crossed the Missouri River to ride into my birth state (STL), the state I went to college in (Mizzou), and the state where we spent so many family weekends at the Lake of the Ozarks. It looked like home almost immediately. The familiar sights of fields of corn lined by the thick forests of trees and scrubs; how did they manage to clear those for the fields? Completely surrounded by green.
The route to get to that point I would not do again. While it was a country road, it was one step below a highway with almost no shoulder. It put me on edge. We all made it. It was very pretty, but I was happy to have a shoulder at about 45 miles into the 85.
The ride out of Topeka was nice. I spotted the capital building in the distance as I left. The Kansas River was lit by the rising sun in a way that required a picture as well. We had 2 SAG stops today with donuts and fruit. I feel like I’m constantly eating on this trip. But somehow we need it. I might have eaten a bag of gummy bears again.
Tonight at dinner I was talking with a fellow rider. I told him about how when signing up I accidentally selected “Solo” traveler.. lol I should know better, but I didn’t realize I was signing up for the hotel rooms to be to myself. It cost more, but I can honestly say it was a mistake that has served me well. While everyone is wonderful, my down time is actually down time. I can spread my gear out, I can heat the room to the temps I like.. I can use all the towels. Ha! Just food for thought. The cost upgrade over 49 days is not bad, and if I did it again I would choose solo. If I was with a very good friend maybe. Everyone needs some alone time.
Tomorrow we head to Chillicothe, MO. It’s suppose to rain most of the day, although the weather has gotten a bit off course tonight. Maybe it will change. Fingers crossed.
Total mileage to-date:
1,786.9 mi
Total elevation gain to-date:
Comments