Hot! We woke at 4am and the ride started out on the flood plain of the Mississippi; flat and fast, for I paired up with Speedy Pete, a strong rider. We did about 40 miles before splitting up, and I hooked up with three more casual riders. That was ok for the next 20, but I like to keep a higher average and this wasn’t helping my day’s overall speed. At that point all the riders had bunched up on the east side of the Ouachita River in Monroe as we were trying to figure how to get across. Taking I-20 we boldly proceeded where no bicycle should, and fortunately avoided disaster. Once on the less mean streets on the west of the river we took a break and calmed our nerves; from there I headed out alone. Along the way I hooked up with the previous casual riders and pulled Esteban away with me at over 20 mph through the hills, eventually catching the lead riders by the 80 mile mark. By then the temperature was 104 degrees and I was exhausted so let the other riders go on while I rested. I finished the day’s ride solo at the casual pace of around 15 mph, stopping to take a few pictures along the way.
We are at the Ruskin Temple Baptist Church, a massive facility with all of the comforts- well, most, for we take to mats on the floor to sleep. They provided dinner, and best of all, have a washer and dryer. We schedule laundry to be done every three riding days, and that is a putrid mess by the time we get to it so I volunteer whenever the opportunity presents itself. I’m really getting to appreciate the simple things I’ve taken for granted for so long. Now if I can just find a carpeted floor to put my sleeping mat on…Goodnight.
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