FCBA Day 17- Shreveport LA to Red Lick TX via AR

 

A casual ride northward today along the sunflower bordered level fields of Louisiana, then through the mild hills of the southwest corner of Arkansas, and then we snuck into Texas. There wasn’t a sign at the Texas border, for we were way out on the back roads, and in reviewing my Strava map Shreveport to Red Lick ride were riding directly on the border while on State Line Rd, indicated on our route sheet as Co Rd 2425/ Co Rd 28. I don’t clearly recall that. We made it to where our itinerary indicates Texarkana, but we are actually in nearby Red Lick.

I stayed to the rear all day. At 60 miles “Special K”, one who has been generous enough to act as our sweep (rear most position riding) for well over a week, was having serious tire trouble. I waited at the rest area as the support vehicle retrieved him in the event I would take over sweep position, but he was able to fix it and continue with Nicki. This freed me to ride at my own pace so I picked up some speed going solo from there for all the other riders had gone ahead, but still it was almost an 8 hour day to travel 85 miles (I was over mileage for a wrong turn and back-track I made today).

Upon arrival at Red Lick First United Methodist Church we were greeted warmly and there were stacks of pizza and other snacks ready. We showered, and some napped while others just relaxed entertained with writing, sharing photos and such.

The generosity of this congregation and others along the way is amazing. We eat a lot for typically a day such as today requires around 3,000 calories to simply ride, making the typical calorie intake of each rider around 5,000. We have been provided most of that through their donations, and are well stocked at the moment as we head toward Oklahoma in the morning. This simply would not be possible without the support of the communities on our path.

Tomorrow will be a short day, around 60 miles. We will still be continuing northward and the winds are favorably to our backs. We are at 20 riders now, two having ended their adventure yesterday, and another joining us. We are becoming quite close and I look forward to many more miles with these folks.