Wind. Stop already. 25-35 mph winds all day long. Hills can be conquered, wind is unrelenting. Pedaling into a strong wind mile after mile gives one the feeling marrow is being sucked right out of your bones. Wind, according to the laws of cycling is always against you. Except, in the words of the 5th Dimension, “when Jupiter aligns with Mars”, that most rare of occasions when wind is at your back.
The good news? Twenty-five miles into today’s pedal from Troy to Washington, Missouri the map told me to take County Road O. I turned, and for 4 miles, cruised at over 20 mph. The bad news? I turned the wrong way. And then paid for my sins by having to pedal against “Mariah” until returning to the route.
Today also included 4 miles on the “Katy Trail” a 4-mile stretch of crushed limestone. It was a beautiful trail but 4 miles was about the right distance. The constant bumpty-bump fatigues the arms and one can’t avoid feeling a flat tire is inevitable. All that worry was for naught. It was a fun ride.
People ask “What in the world is there to think about when you’re pedaling a solo cross-country?” Not a problem...
Today’s thoughts dealt with David “I wouldn’t give my problems to a monkey on a rock” Letterman. It was Top 10 time.
TOP TEN REASONS A FEMALE STAFFER WOULD BECOME DAVE LETTERMAN’S BOY TOY.
10. Can’t get enough of those Elliot Spitzer jokes.
9. Wanted Dave to be more Clinton-esqe.
8. At a staff meeting Dave said, “Let’s run it up the flagpole and see who salutes”.
7. Heard Dave graduated from Ball State.
6. Regis was out of town.
5. When Sarah Palin told Dave to perform an unnatural act, the staffer was afraid a man Letterman's age would injure himself.
4. Wanted to star in “Stupid Human Tricks”.
3. It was either Dave or Paul Schafer, no contest.
2. Wanted to meet Dave’s Mom the worst way.
1. Has always found creepy, wrinkled, bald guys who are the age of her Grandpa, irresistible.
"I'm sorry you had to find out this way but, honestly, honey, it was better for my reputation to handle it like this."
I digress...We arrived at our destination, Washington, Missouri, a city of over 13,000 to find every hotel room taken. “There’s 3 weddings in town,” said the clerk “We’re booked.” 9 miles away in Union we were told, “We’re full, there’s 3 weddings in Washington." Must be pretty damn big weddings.
So on we wandered. Found a Travelodge, circa 1972...
...Hey the water is hot, the color TV works and the sign said Free Internet. The part they left out was “in the lobby”. “It’s free”, the desk clerk told us, after we checked in, you just gotta come down here to use it.”While there I asked for dinner recommendations. “Well right here we got Eye-talian, Mexican and a lotta folks like Pizza Hut to deliver. If you’re looking for fancy well you gotta go down the road about six miles to Applebee’s.”
Hey tomorrow’s a big day. We opted for fancy.
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