Kiki Bikes Across America

Archive for June 20th, 2009

Saturday, June 20th: Hartville, MO to Ash Grove, MO

Today was a bit different – again. We got up and headed out after breakfast (the guys went down to this little restaurant and had eggs and cheese and I cooked oatmeal). We headed out around 8:50 in the morning and started the climbing slowly. It wasn’t fun exactly. I think we were all dreading riding this morning – we all felt pretty slow. Only 15 miles in and things took a bit of a turn for me. I had just finished pedaling up a hill when my right shifter cable (rear derailleur) snapped. It broke completely and I was stuck in the highest gear in the back. I pulled over and looked at the bike trying to see what I might be able to do. A man from across the street saw us stop and came out to see what was up and all. We talked for a bit and contemplated what to do. I could either attempt to ride with only three gears to shift between (the front crank) and leave it in the highest in the back. I called a bike shop in Springfield, Missouri (about 40-45 miles from where my cable broke) and got a hold of a bike shop that was open till 6pm. I was about to continue biking and then Glen’s wife (the man who came out and talked to us) came home from grocery shopping. She offered to give me a ride to Springfield which was really nice. So she got the pickup truck out and I loaded my bike and gear up and then we headed for Springfield.

Odd route names using the alphabet instead of numbers. Apparently VA is just different and doesn't need the alphabet for such.

We chatted a bit and she told me all about the Amish people in the area and the differences between Amish and Mennonites. Apparently Mennonites can drive (but it must be a dark-colored vehicle, like black) and they can use electricity (by means of a generator). However, the Amish don’t use cars or generators and only use a car in extreme emergencies. They will ask others for rides though, but will not have their own cars. Also, the Amish have weddings on Thursdays and the wife (Robyn) who drove me said she’d been invited to a few pre-wedding events, but hasn’t been able to make any weddings since they’re always on Thursdays when she’d normally have to work.

Lots of open land

We got to the Springfield Bicycle Company shop just around noon and she dropped me off and I headed on in with my sad little bike. They were really friendly at the shop and they fixed it all up and made it work  great. I got a new chain, they fixed the shifter and put on a new cable and all, cleaned the cassette a little and adjusted brakes a bit to make them a little tighter and not squeak too horribly. It seems to be running great now and I hope it’ll stay that way for a while! While the bike was being worked on I went to grab lunch at Chipotle and then walked over to Walmart to pick up some gatorade and a little sweet stuff (sour gummi worms and raisinets to snack on later). I then walked back to the bike shop and picked up my bike and rolled out shortly after 3pm as I had 25 miles to go. I figured the guys might be close to reaching Ash Grove (they couldn’t get a ride with me to Springfield – not enough room), so they biked the full 75 miles today. Apparently, it was the worst day – the hilliest day and just plain ole awful, so I’m glad I missed it and had bike problems instead! My bike must have known I didn’t want to deal with more hills today, so that was a relief for me. I still did a good 40 miles today though, so that counts for something!

A round barn I spotted in Missouri between Springfield and Ash Grove

Once leaving Springfield, it was flat almost all the way to Ash Grove. Just a couple miles out and I started hitting some rolling hills and was happy to see Ash Grove when I arrived a little bit later. I pulled in around 5:45 and stopped at the gas station and saw Michael and Collin there (they had just gotten there as well). A nice man at the gas station was happy to see us and chat and then asked us if we’d ever seen rope be made before. I had seen it before, but neither of the guys had. So he pulled out his rolls of twine and started showing us how he makes rope which was neat. Then I bought some Heet (for my alcohol stove) and headed over to the Ash Grove City Park to set up camp. I set up my tent and everything and started unpacking and then went to shower (they have some cold showers here at the park which is nice). They also have a swimming pool, track, and some playground stuff here. So it’s not a bad park – and electricity and water right next to our little pavilion where we have camped out.

Michael spinning twine to make some rope at the general store/gas station.

I went to Robert’s Grocery store and picked up some stir fry and bananas. I heated up my stir fry for dinner and am going to have bananas in the morning in my oatmeal. So dinner was pretty yummy and hopefully lunch will be as well.

Stir-fry for dinner

For now, I’m going to have to call it a night – we’ll be in Kansas tomorrow night – woohoo!

GPS Stats: (includes the time/distance I was driven to Springfield, Missouri)
84.8 miles
04:22 moving time
82.0 max speed
19.4 avg speed

Computer Stats:
40.10 miles
03:23:13 moving time
37.5 max speed
11.9 avg speed

Snake count: 2
Dog  chases: 0
Dead Armadillo: 8

Aches/Pains: not too bad – just the slight achy pain in my back, but probably sore muscles around the area that’s having to be adjusted by chiropractors.

Just a few random thoughts… I keep forgetting to actually mention or write down. I always think of stuff when I’m riding and forget later on in the day.

Virginia:

• lots of rolling hills
• nice scenery and houses
• lots of horses and cows
• friendly people, however, the drivers aren’t as respectful of cyclists as elsewhere
• cowtails are easy to find in southern / southwestern VA (a candy called Cowtails)
• the Appalachian Mountains are pretty significant when you cross them on a bike. I think we have done the hardest climbs possibly for this entire trip. We’ll see though:)
• lots of dead snakes

Kentucky:

• there are lots of dogs in eastern Kentucky
• the poverty level in eastern Kentucky is incredible
• the roads are in bad shape – in particular in the eastern part. There are lots of huge gaping holes in the sides of roads and no guard rails
• they use ripple strips on the sides of all the roads in Kentucky. You know, like on the side of I-66, those ripple things are on all the roads in Kentucky. It’s useful, I guess, but sucks if you’re a cyclist and the road is really busy and you want to ride on the shoulder and there’s no “ripple-free” space.
• it’s also very similar to Virginia and scenic in the western part of Kentucky. More horses and cows in that part and fewer dogs.
• it seems in the eastern part of Kentucky, people have dogs as “guard animals” whereas in the western part, dogs are more like family members and pets.
• motorists seem to be a little more patient with cyclists and slow down more than those in Virginia.

Illinois:

• there are some rolling hills here, also straight roads. We drafted for 18 miles on a straight road – it had a few curves and a few bumps in the road, but otherwise it was pretty straight.
• the people seem friendly (from what we saw) – we had great people welcome us to camp at their place, and another great experience was staying at Rachel’s (who Ben from Warm Showers contacted, even though she wasn’t a member). We only spent 2 or so days in Illinois so it’s hard to say what the rest of Illinois might be like, but my opinion and impression was good. I would go back.
• lots of corn fields
• the drivers aren’t as courteous with cyclists on the road. They sometimes honk at you if you’re biking slowly up a hill.
• one day, I think I smelled stinky skunks on 5 different occasions.

Missouri:

• people seem friendly, but I have yet to have an amazing experience with anyone in particular from Missouri. I think one of the most friendly people thus far was Chuck (from Indiana) who I met the other night. Otherwise, I haven’t had much contact with the folk from Missouri. Although my latest chiropractor seemed really cool and friendly along with his staff in the office. They were all interested in my bike trip and asking lots of questions.
• there are a few dogs here, but not nearly as many as in Kentucky.
• the heat is the worst part of Missouri.
• it’s a scenic state with rolling hills, lots of farmland and horses and cows out in the pastures.
• in Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri I’ve noticed there are lots of what appear to be wild orange lilies growing on the side of the roads. I see them everywhere.
• lots of dead turtles here, fewer dead snakes, and fewer dog chases!

I have never in my life seen so much road kill until this trip. I should have tried to keep track, but then again, I think I would have gone insane… there is so much!

I saw a dead armadillo today on the side of the road – I think the first armadillo I’ve seen in real life outside of a zoo, and it had to be dead :/

Animals spotted on this trip thus far:

• Armadillo
• Chipmunk
• Mice
• Squirrels (duh!)
• Birds everywhere (duh!)
• Deer (almost ran into one at night when biking back from the library)
• Snakes
• Lizards
• Horses
• Cows
• Chickens
• Goats
• Llamas
• Fox
• Turtles
• Dogs (everywhere)
• Cats (several houses with multiple cats hanging out – like 14+)
• Bunnies/Rabbits
• and more that I’m probably forgetting

Speaking of which, there’s a cat just on the paved path in front of the courthouse right now. Looks like he’s grooming himself. I’d go pet him, but then again, I don’t want him becoming attached and coming and curling up inside my tent all night. He’s curious and cute looking – black and white