I’ll take door number 2 – the walk through the mud

The ride to Kirksville was the legendary day of 149 climbs also known as Missouri Rollers. You could break this ride into three segments or thirds. For the first 1/3 we went poet fast down the highway out of Chillicothe and then went off the highway onto the start of the rollers. I was riding with three other riders, Low, Howard and Ted. I guess that Barb and Mary Clare ventured a little too far off the shoulder and were warned by a patrolman that we had to ride on the shoulder. Funny part was that Ted rode almost the whole 24 miles “on the highway” but the ladies were caught when they ventured over to avoid some debris. We all stopped at a convenience store in Brookfield and then ventured onto the “rollers”.

The rolling hills are such that if you hammer down one side, your speed and momentum may carry you over the top of the next hill. It requires a lot of energy and to push when you go down a hill when most folks want to coast. I spent the majority of this segment trying to catch Howard, who managed to stay a couple of minutes ahead of me. We all rolled into the SAG at mile 50 thinking we only had another 25 miles to go.

As I rolled into the SAG, Jan said that the bridge was out up a head and we had to take a detour. She thought the detour was about the same milage but as she explained the new rule, it was apparent that it was at least another 20 miles. I was a little despondent as I had pushed really hard and wasn’t expecting a near century. I ate very list;e , filled mu bottles and took off without having the sit down lunch. Before I got to the detour Jan cash me in the van and explained that she was going to check if we could navigate the stream with the bridge out and asked me to wait at the detour point. When she returned, she said that it was “passable” but muddy and steep and we needed to carry our bikes. I’ll take a little dirt over an extra 20 miles any day.

When I got to the stream, I took off my shoes and socks and started to carry my bike. However, the rocks were sharp and I had to set it down and roll it at a few points. The wheels became so caked with mud that they wouldn’t turn. It took me maybe 10 minutes to get through the area. I didn’t have to walk through water but there was a lot of mud and sharp rocks. When i got to the other side, I did spend some more time cleaning my bike and self. My socks and shoes went on over muddy feet.

The last 20 miles were pretty easy but with some limbs and concerns that the mud would cause a mechanical issue. It did not. When I rolled into the hotel, I was the first there and I spent a half hour cleaning my bike, Turns that all the riders save one opted for the mud route and some were all etc keep on their shoes and others had baggies to put over them as they crossed the mud. Ian was the lone rider who opted for the longer route and I think it was done mainly to make up for mileage he lost in the desert when he was in the van.

All in all we had a favorable wind and some mild inconvenience that provides for bragging rights. two years ago I rode all day with Herm  through a driving storm and I think both of us would have wanted the better weather with a little mud. I’ll take door number two!

Thanks fro reading!

~Chuck