When your friends begin to flatter you on how young you look, it’s a sure sign you’re getting old. Mark Twain

Hello everyone,

I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the great Mark Twain as we passed ever so close to Hannibal Mo on our way to Quincy today. His quotes and works are priceless and age less and I fondly remember tales of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn as well as his numerous quotes.

I also passed very close to Canton Missouri where I attended college at Culver Stockton. It seems like a long time agao, but I passed a few roads that i remember running on when we had cross country practice. Quincy was a party destination and there was an old bar called the Four Teak that we used to frequent. So the area piqued some sleeping memories.

When we left Kirksville Mo in the morning, the sun was shining but the temperature was less than 60 and the sun soon hid behind a mass of rain-threatening clouds. It didn’t rain but I regretted very quickly not bringing along my jacket. I was definitely cold in just my normal cycling kit. We rode hard and fast which called sweat and more cooling so I was chilly.

The miles passed quickly and the first sAG was a milestone on our journey 2000 total miles cycled. We took photos and spent more time than usual in celebration. I will post a few of our more wacky photos. While we had a little climbing, the hills were nothing compared to the previous few day and the miles melted away fairly quickly.

Around noon, we approached the bridge over the Mississippi. There is no shoulder across the bridge, so we had to ride in the traffic lane. It was not problematic though as traffic was light and the drivers all moved into the other lane. At the border, we had the time honored tradition of sand sprinkling as well as the obligatory photos.

Quincy is an old river town with a to of stately mansions on the main drag through town. When we arrived, many churches were letting folks out so we did hit a bit of traffic but the drivers were all polite.  Walking into the lobby go the hotel, evoked quite a few me memories as well. Two years ago, we had a lengthy electrical storm delay before we could depart on our 105 miles ride to Springfield. I could see Chet and Richard sleeping on the couch and remembered that the ladies hid my bicycle in the women’s rest room.

Since we got in early, Pierre and I lunched at Panera’s Bread Company, I did laundry and also cleaned my bike. No matter how much I scrub the chain, I can still get grease off. I spent 30 mints on it and it definitely shines but rub you fingers on it and you get a greasy black mark. I am resolving to have a perpetual silver chain (on my bike) so Tracy doesn’t use my bike as an example of what not to do.

For dinner, we ate in and had a special meal of chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits, 3 types of salad and cheese cake. When you burn off 4000 plus calories just riding your bike, you can consume mass quantities. Just better change your eating habits when the tour is over.

Tomorrow,s blog may de delayed as we are riding over 100 miles and then Randy and his wife, Kathy have graciously invited the entire crew to his house for dinner. Randy is a class act, nice guy and a kind heart. I know that he is extremely disappointed that injury cut his tour short but he is always smiling. It should be a fun evening and we will report on it tomorrow or the next day.

Also I have a bike appointment in Champaign to look at my issues with the headset and bottom bracket. I think it will be expensive. and I am not sure if some of it may be covered by warranty.

Tailwinds

Chuck

PS Another reminder that I am riding for the Wounded Warrior Project. Thereis a donation link at the bottom of every page. It doesn’t have to be a lot and I would like to see more small donations.