 |
|
Lon's Description: Lon didn't provide a description for this day.
Chuck strongly feels that this was because it was beautiful
beyond any words he could write.
|
|
|
|
Lon's Description: Lon didn't provide a description for this day.
Chuck strongly feels that this was because it was beautiful
beyond any words he could write.
|
|
Today was really an enjoyable day. We rode from Cuba, Missouri
to Farmington, Missouri. The sun was shining when we arose this
morning, the sky was blue, and we really appreciated the good
weather after the last two days. The temperature at the start
was about 40 degrees, but eventually warmed up to the low 70's
by afternoon.
The course initially followed old Route 66, then turned southeasterly through the hills of the Ozarks, crossing the Merrimac River and several other smaller rivers. We were on country back roads for most of this day's route. This area is very scenic, and the terrain varies from low rolling hills to steeper rolling hills and beautiful valleys. We passed through many small towns, and arrived in Farmington after only 82 miles, the shortest day yet. It was a special day for Cheryl, since her parents and brother drove down from the Chicago area to visit her on this trip. Many of us stopped frequently to take picures along the way, as there were many Kodak moments. Tomorrow is a major milestone, as we cross the Mississippi River into Illinois. |
| Estimated Distance: | 80 Miles |
| Actual Distance: | 81.3 Miles |
| Cumulative Actual Distance: |
2,103 Miles This includes the following off course added miles: San Diego - 2.0 Miles when Chuck and Bob Harting missed a turn Winslow - 4.7 Miles when Chuck, Ken, and Les Drake went to the mural painting after the ride Pagosa Springs - 3.1 Miles when Chuck missed Lunch Alamosa - 11.2 Miles when Chuck missed the turn for Lunch |
| Estimated Feet of Climbing: | 5,500 Feet |
| Actual Feet of Climbing: | 4,370 Feet |
| Cumulative Feet of Climbing: | 62,700 Feet |
| Elevation of Destination: | 960 Feet |
| Average Speed on the Bike: |
14.8 MPH It was too pretty to go fast |
| Maximum Speed on the Bike: | 39.5 MPH |
|
Chuck's Heart Rate Data: Max Heart Rate was 196 BPM a few weeks ago before PAC Tour |
Time above 150: 0:01 Time between 130-150: 2:37 Time below 130: 4:06 |
| Dairy Queen Count: |
1 Blythe, CA 2 Twister's Ice Cream in Williams, AZ 3 Dairy Queen in Cortez, Colorado was phenomenal 4 Dairy Queen in Monte Vista, Colorado (PAC Tour Hot Fudge Banana Split: Bananas, 3 Scoops Ice Cream, Hot Fudge on Side: Awesome!!) 5 Dairy Queen in Pratt, Kansas 6 Dairy Queen in Winfield, Kansas - PAC Tour Hot Fudge Banana Split 7 Ice Cream at All You Can Eat Buffet in Cuba, Missouri (Boy, did this restaurant lose money on us!!) 8 Dairy Queen in Farmington, Missouri - Dinner |
 |
Denise Lachinet from Grant, Michigan, is standing by one of the many Historic
Route 66 Signs along our route.
Denise is Cheryl's roommate and has been a really great friend through the many tough days in Kansas. Good PAC Tour roommates can often turn out to be good friends long after PAC Tour is over. In some ways, PAC Tour can be kind of like going to war sometimes and the memories of working through tough situations together last forever. Checkout a larger version of this photo |
 |
The vistas in the Ozarks were spectacular. Checkout a larger version of this photo |
 |
Bill and Coleen Bowens from Battle Creek, Michigan,
at the first Rest Stop.
One of three married couples on this PAC Tour, these two have worked together so very well. Coleen is always so happy and cheers up everyone with her big smile. Her husband Bill is a Locomotive Engineer and has been strong at the front of many pacelines consisting of trains of bikes. Checkout a larger version of this photo |
 |
Crossing one of the many rivers in the Ozarks today.
If you look closely, that's actually Bill and Coleen crossing the bridge together!! Checkout a larger version of this photo |
 |
Cheryl's Mom, Dad, and Brother were waiting for
her in Farmington so Cheryl was on a mission to see them!!
This was a really great moment for Cheryl which she has been looking forward to since leaving San Diego over 2,100 miles ago. Checkout a larger version of this photo |
| Highlights: |
After all the hard work and tough days getting
through Kansas, the first 60 miles today were such
a welcome relief. Little to no wind. Blue skies.
Lots of sunshine. Forests all around. Rolling hills.
Sweeping descents. Switchback turns. This was a
little bit of cycling heaven for sure today. No cars.
Trees turning gold and red. Wild things on both
sides of the road. It was one of the best days of cycling I've ever enjoyed. The road was so smooth and clean. The climbs were steep and kept us warm with our hearts racing. The descents were chilling and crisp. It was a great day to be alive. There are very few perfect days ... this was one of them for sure!! |
| Memorable Scenery: |
Monarch Butterflies flying through beautiful green
forests all around Yesterday, we saw lots of yards with old trashed cars, frigerators, washing machines, and spare parts dumped in the front yards. Today we didn't see very much of that ... there were many more forests and the homes we did see were really nice looking. |
| Mechanical Problems: |
Chuck was riding near John Ashby when he stopped to
find that he had a broken rear spoke. About one minute
later, Lon pulls up with the van, swaps out John's rear
wheel with a spare, and John is on his way down the
road. Another example of amazing PAC Tour service: Lon
fixed John's rear wheel at the finish Hotel later.
The result: another potential catastrophe avoided and
John maybe lost 5 minutes!! |
|
Biomechanical (Engine) Problems: |
Toes down pedaling technique to help Hot Foot (thanks to Pat Carter for this tip) |
| What Worked: |
Sunshine No wind Cheryl's family coming to Finish Line |
| What Didn't Work: | Nothing to report |
| Quote of the Day: |
Chuck and Ed from the movie, "Cool Hand Luke" Since San Diego, we've been saying this back and forth to each other with a big grin on our faces. "I have a spare Gazette in my Gear Bag." Pat Carter to Lon Pat is lots of fun to ride with and her new chain works a lot better after installing her new Gazette. :) |
| Chuck's Song of the Day: |
Between the earth and sky Little did we realize We were flying you and I. We sang to the stars above We praised the earth below ... It was beautiful, glorious We were riding on a wave ..." The Moody Blues, 1999 "Foolish Love" on "Strange Times" These guys are still rocking 35 years later!! |
