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DAY 20
Fort Scott, KS to Camdenton, MO
115 miles
DAY 20
Fort Scott, KS to Camdenton, MO
115 miles
We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto.
Crossed the border this morning about five miles into the ride -- rather anti-climactic for such a long journey through Kansas (like the Governor was supposed to come out and wish us well or something). The state we spent the longest amount of time in was Arizona - that won’t be topped this journey.
The difference so far has been the wetness of the state -- Kansas certainly had the humidity, but not the amount of lakes and rivers I’ve seen so far in MO. We’ll be camping in the Lakes of the Ozarks tonight -- kind of cool, as I’ve heard about this place but never been before.
The road has been a series of ups and downs -- emblematic of the trip itself. Today though, it’s as if we’re on a rollercoaster with no tracks -- the flatness of the plains is plainly behind us (My Fair Bike Ride). I think there will be some more flat land early next week in Illinois, but once we hit Ohio and Pennsylvania, get ready to rock. Some of our most serious climbs are there.
We’re doing longer miles today and tomorrow than originally scheduled in order to make it to the game in St. Louis on Sunday. We thought we had a Sunday night game, but it turns out it’s an afternoon game (1 PM) and we’ll have to leave early on Sunday (even with the now shorter trip) to make it on time.
As much of a challenge as today has been with all the hills, I’ve actually really enjoyed the ride. I haven’t seen much worth shooting pics/video of, but the overall feel of the place is good. We don’t have much of a shoulder on the road, which has made for a couple of close calls...there are two types of honkers -- the one with the loud, long blast right as they get up to you to express their displeasure and (seemingly) try to scare you off the road (if not your bike), then there’s the double tapper -- two short blasts usually followed by a wave. I’ve interpreted this as encouragement -- “Keep going!” “Looking good!” “What’s Lance doing in Missouri?” Okay...they don’t really say that I look good.
I mentioned that 48 hour film contest yesterday -- there’s a possibility I still may be able to make it work.
One thing about this stretch of HWY 54 today -- it may be the most dangerous area we’ve ridden so far because of the lack of shoulder. I’ve been “buzzed” at least 3 times by big rigs, once uncomfortably close. I could literally reach out and touch these mammoths without extending my arm. And they honk at me like I should look out for them. God forbid they actually slow down and wait for a clear lane to pass me.
The last stretch of 54 actually had a shoulder -- thanks and praise -- and it had the deepest rolling hills and valleys. We finished the day with a mother of a hill (no offense, mom) and found ourselves at an RV park right on the water at the Lake of the Ozarks. We got a swim in and layed out on the dock. I did a little yoga (an added challenge with the ebb and flow of the water below) then stretched out and thought about “On Golden Pond”, as I usually do when I’m at a lake. I also thought about Lake Sawyer, the lake we have our family reunions at in Seattle. I filmed a beautiful sunset tonight.
As we drive off to dinner, I get to see a bit of tomorrow’s route. We’re doing 115 again and it appears it’ll be more of the long rolling hills. The morning starts with a big one (usually does, doesn’t it? HEY YO!).
Crossed the border this morning about five miles into the ride -- rather anti-climactic for such a long journey through Kansas (like the Governor was supposed to come out and wish us well or something). The state we spent the longest amount of time in was Arizona - that won’t be topped this journey.
The difference so far has been the wetness of the state -- Kansas certainly had the humidity, but not the amount of lakes and rivers I’ve seen so far in MO. We’ll be camping in the Lakes of the Ozarks tonight -- kind of cool, as I’ve heard about this place but never been before.
The road has been a series of ups and downs -- emblematic of the trip itself. Today though, it’s as if we’re on a rollercoaster with no tracks -- the flatness of the plains is plainly behind us (My Fair Bike Ride). I think there will be some more flat land early next week in Illinois, but once we hit Ohio and Pennsylvania, get ready to rock. Some of our most serious climbs are there.
We’re doing longer miles today and tomorrow than originally scheduled in order to make it to the game in St. Louis on Sunday. We thought we had a Sunday night game, but it turns out it’s an afternoon game (1 PM) and we’ll have to leave early on Sunday (even with the now shorter trip) to make it on time.
As much of a challenge as today has been with all the hills, I’ve actually really enjoyed the ride. I haven’t seen much worth shooting pics/video of, but the overall feel of the place is good. We don’t have much of a shoulder on the road, which has made for a couple of close calls...there are two types of honkers -- the one with the loud, long blast right as they get up to you to express their displeasure and (seemingly) try to scare you off the road (if not your bike), then there’s the double tapper -- two short blasts usually followed by a wave. I’ve interpreted this as encouragement -- “Keep going!” “Looking good!” “What’s Lance doing in Missouri?” Okay...they don’t really say that I look good.
I mentioned that 48 hour film contest yesterday -- there’s a possibility I still may be able to make it work.
One thing about this stretch of HWY 54 today -- it may be the most dangerous area we’ve ridden so far because of the lack of shoulder. I’ve been “buzzed” at least 3 times by big rigs, once uncomfortably close. I could literally reach out and touch these mammoths without extending my arm. And they honk at me like I should look out for them. God forbid they actually slow down and wait for a clear lane to pass me.
The last stretch of 54 actually had a shoulder -- thanks and praise -- and it had the deepest rolling hills and valleys. We finished the day with a mother of a hill (no offense, mom) and found ourselves at an RV park right on the water at the Lake of the Ozarks. We got a swim in and layed out on the dock. I did a little yoga (an added challenge with the ebb and flow of the water below) then stretched out and thought about “On Golden Pond”, as I usually do when I’m at a lake. I also thought about Lake Sawyer, the lake we have our family reunions at in Seattle. I filmed a beautiful sunset tonight.
As we drive off to dinner, I get to see a bit of tomorrow’s route. We’re doing 115 again and it appears it’ll be more of the long rolling hills. The morning starts with a big one (usually does, doesn’t it? HEY YO!).
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