It's fishy you know
How it's there yet maybe not
The way i'd a thought
Friday, July 29, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Coming To An End. Moving On
Last night on the road...
Rode the last 30 miles this morning to Seymour with a two week total coming to about 650 miles. Staying at the local hotel and had planned to be on the road between 6:00 and 6:30 tomorrow morning.
The first order of business after checking in was to find a rental car company that would rent me a car for the one-way trip back to Chicago. Surprisingly, for me anyway, almost everyone told me no. One company told me yes and then said the cost was around $550. Five hundred and fifty dollars!! I declined the offer. Finally found another agency that said yes — $150+tax per day, unlimited mileage, and no drop off fee. Problem is, i have to pick it up at the airport, which would be another 17 miles further down the road.
I decided to investigate the possibility of finding a taxi or limo from Seymour to the Springfield airport, but in Amish country in the middle of nowhere, that idea didn't pan out at all. While still trying to think of other options other than riding the bike all the way, i walked a few blocks down the road to the local Chinese restaurant, which could take a blog post all on its own. Chinese? Restaurant? Living near Chicago obviously spoils you.
When i got there i noticed an old beat up black pickup truck in the parking lot and figured it belonged to some kid. I have to admit that i thought about asking around inside the restaurnt for the owner and trying to bribe him for a ride; people around here aren't rich and the kid could probably use the money. I also admit that i chickened out of trying.
While eating the 70 year old husband at the table next to me started a conversation with me and when I told him what I was doing he offered me a ride to the airport in the morning, tonight if I wanted it. I jumped on the offer. He only wanted enough to cover his gas, I offered him over twice that because it is such a huge convenience for me. This was great news.
As we left, he said he'd be at the hotel at 8:00 in the morning to pick me up. He told me to look for him in that old beat up black pickup sitting out in the lot. :-)
Shocking news! I had my first flat tire this morning. Unbelievable. I didn't bother patching it, I just put in a new inner tube. I never could find an obvious puncture in either the inner tube or in the tire, and the inner tube held air when I tested it later. Not sure what was going on. Maybe the valve stem? But, what I did notice was that the tire bead is starting to break apart in one place; it really looks nasty. Nasty enugh that I wonder if that was the cause of the flat. Nasty enough that I was worried about the 30+ mile ride to Springfield tomorrow. When I get home not only will I have to replace the tire, but the mechanic who replaced my spoke last week told that the wheel itself will need replacing after my trip so i'll do that at the same time.
So what next? The rest of the summer will be devoted to re-doing my downstairs bathroom and building a Japanese-inspired gate leading into my backyard. In the bathroom i'll rip out the cabinet and sink and put in a pedestal sink, replace the 1850s era toilet, do "something" with the shower, and change the color of the paint on the walls. I already designed the gate, but won't post pictures until it's done. I'm excited about the gate, just tolerating the work in the bathroom because it needs to be done.
Rode the last 30 miles this morning to Seymour with a two week total coming to about 650 miles. Staying at the local hotel and had planned to be on the road between 6:00 and 6:30 tomorrow morning.
The first order of business after checking in was to find a rental car company that would rent me a car for the one-way trip back to Chicago. Surprisingly, for me anyway, almost everyone told me no. One company told me yes and then said the cost was around $550. Five hundred and fifty dollars!! I declined the offer. Finally found another agency that said yes — $150+tax per day, unlimited mileage, and no drop off fee. Problem is, i have to pick it up at the airport, which would be another 17 miles further down the road.
I decided to investigate the possibility of finding a taxi or limo from Seymour to the Springfield airport, but in Amish country in the middle of nowhere, that idea didn't pan out at all. While still trying to think of other options other than riding the bike all the way, i walked a few blocks down the road to the local Chinese restaurant, which could take a blog post all on its own. Chinese? Restaurant? Living near Chicago obviously spoils you.
When i got there i noticed an old beat up black pickup truck in the parking lot and figured it belonged to some kid. I have to admit that i thought about asking around inside the restaurnt for the owner and trying to bribe him for a ride; people around here aren't rich and the kid could probably use the money. I also admit that i chickened out of trying.
While eating the 70 year old husband at the table next to me started a conversation with me and when I told him what I was doing he offered me a ride to the airport in the morning, tonight if I wanted it. I jumped on the offer. He only wanted enough to cover his gas, I offered him over twice that because it is such a huge convenience for me. This was great news.
As we left, he said he'd be at the hotel at 8:00 in the morning to pick me up. He told me to look for him in that old beat up black pickup sitting out in the lot. :-)
Shocking news! I had my first flat tire this morning. Unbelievable. I didn't bother patching it, I just put in a new inner tube. I never could find an obvious puncture in either the inner tube or in the tire, and the inner tube held air when I tested it later. Not sure what was going on. Maybe the valve stem? But, what I did notice was that the tire bead is starting to break apart in one place; it really looks nasty. Nasty enugh that I wonder if that was the cause of the flat. Nasty enough that I was worried about the 30+ mile ride to Springfield tomorrow. When I get home not only will I have to replace the tire, but the mechanic who replaced my spoke last week told that the wheel itself will need replacing after my trip so i'll do that at the same time.
So what next? The rest of the summer will be devoted to re-doing my downstairs bathroom and building a Japanese-inspired gate leading into my backyard. In the bathroom i'll rip out the cabinet and sink and put in a pedestal sink, replace the 1850s era toilet, do "something" with the shower, and change the color of the paint on the walls. I already designed the gate, but won't post pictures until it's done. I'm excited about the gate, just tolerating the work in the bathroom because it needs to be done.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Chasing Dogs
It's a quarter of ten and I just rolled into Mountain Grove where i'll spend the day and night. It was a 28 mile morning of rolling hills on the side of a major highway but the shoulder was both paved and about 5 feet wide so the traffic and I got along well. It's already hot but a big part of that is the humidity. Seems like a waste to stop so early, but the next hotel is another 30 miles down the road so this is home for the night.
Forgot to tell you about my dog encounter yesterday morning.
As I crested a hill, which means I had been climbing uphill, which means I couldn't run even if I had wanted to,... I noticed him sitting right on the edge of the road watching me and waiting. Very patiently. Very quietly.
I crossed to the other side of the road, but he still got up and trotted towards me. I yelled "stay" and "back" like I usually do but he ignored me completely. Thing was, though, he never barked, never growled, and never bared his teeth. He just trotted right behind my right side, right behind my heel.
I weaver back and forth across the road to try and shake him but he wasn't going anywhere, he marked every move I made — sometimes behind my left side sometimes behind my right.
After 3-4 minutes of this he must decided that I was no fun and that I wasn't going to play along and let him chase me so he sped up and ran just in front of me for another 3-4 minutes. Maybe he was hoping I would chase him? I don't think so.
In the end, we rode together for about a mile (?) before he finally turned around and headed home. Interesting.
Tomorrow morning I head to Seymour, another 30 miles closer to Springfield.
Forgot to tell you about my dog encounter yesterday morning.
As I crested a hill, which means I had been climbing uphill, which means I couldn't run even if I had wanted to,... I noticed him sitting right on the edge of the road watching me and waiting. Very patiently. Very quietly.
I crossed to the other side of the road, but he still got up and trotted towards me. I yelled "stay" and "back" like I usually do but he ignored me completely. Thing was, though, he never barked, never growled, and never bared his teeth. He just trotted right behind my right side, right behind my heel.
I weaver back and forth across the road to try and shake him but he wasn't going anywhere, he marked every move I made — sometimes behind my left side sometimes behind my right.
After 3-4 minutes of this he must decided that I was no fun and that I wasn't going to play along and let him chase me so he sped up and ran just in front of me for another 3-4 minutes. Maybe he was hoping I would chase him? I don't think so.
In the end, we rode together for about a mile (?) before he finally turned around and headed home. Interesting.
Tomorrow morning I head to Seymour, another 30 miles closer to Springfield.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
It's Time To Quit 2
After a little searching, here's what i've come up with.
- The only rental car agency within 50 miles is Enterprise, and they tell me that Enterprise doesn't allow one way rentals.
- For this area, National and Alamo only rent from the Springfield airport
- It appears that I have to go to Springfield, MO, if I want to find a car. That's about 90 miles from here (Houston, MO)
- Since I can only ride in the mornings, and I only see one campground between here and there that means I need to use some hotels.
- Looks like I will ride from Houston to Mountain Grove tomorrow. 30 miles.
- Mountain Grove to Seymour on Saturday. 30 miles.
- Seymour to Springfield on Sunday. 30 miles again.
I'd like to do this as 2 days of 45 miles each, but because of the spacing between hotels it is either 30/30/30, 30/60, or 60/30, and 60 miles is out of the question.
- The only rental car agency within 50 miles is Enterprise, and they tell me that Enterprise doesn't allow one way rentals.
- For this area, National and Alamo only rent from the Springfield airport
- It appears that I have to go to Springfield, MO, if I want to find a car. That's about 90 miles from here (Houston, MO)
- Since I can only ride in the mornings, and I only see one campground between here and there that means I need to use some hotels.
- Looks like I will ride from Houston to Mountain Grove tomorrow. 30 miles.
- Mountain Grove to Seymour on Saturday. 30 miles.
- Seymour to Springfield on Sunday. 30 miles again.
I'd like to do this as 2 days of 45 miles each, but because of the spacing between hotels it is either 30/30/30, 30/60, or 60/30, and 60 miles is out of the question.
It's Time To Quit
In Houston, MO. Rolled into town at 9:30am and the next reasonable place to stop it much too far so this is where i'm spending the day and the night. I can not ride past about 11:00 with this heat. It will be a long day.
But that is irrelevant.......
I'm throwing in the towel. I can't take the heat and the forecast now says it will continue through next week. Kansas is worse than Missouri with daily temperatures above 100. I tried to ride all day on Tuesday and thought I might not finish alive. A motorist even pulled over and asked if I was OK; said I looked "distressed." Luckily, by that time I was less than 5 mi to the campground where I was going to spend the night. That was when I got smart and said no more afternoon riding.
So, the only thing left is to figure out how to get out of the middle of nowhere. I'm going to rent a car and drive home. But I have no idea where I can get one around here. I'll ask around but I may have to ride to Springfield, MO, and that is still about 3 days away, given I can only ride a third of the day.
I guess i'll just have to admit that not all dreams come true.
But that is irrelevant.......
I'm throwing in the towel. I can't take the heat and the forecast now says it will continue through next week. Kansas is worse than Missouri with daily temperatures above 100. I tried to ride all day on Tuesday and thought I might not finish alive. A motorist even pulled over and asked if I was OK; said I looked "distressed." Luckily, by that time I was less than 5 mi to the campground where I was going to spend the night. That was when I got smart and said no more afternoon riding.
So, the only thing left is to figure out how to get out of the middle of nowhere. I'm going to rent a car and drive home. But I have no idea where I can get one around here. I'll ask around but I may have to ride to Springfield, MO, and that is still about 3 days away, given I can only ride a third of the day.
I guess i'll just have to admit that not all dreams come true.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Have I Told You?
Did I ever tell you that I hate dogs?
Today's friendly encounter was with a pack of three of them, but two were obviously the leaders. After last year's crash I don't try and outrun them anymore I just stop and hope they lose interest, with my bike between them and me and a can of pepper spray in one hand.
I saw these three take off from the front yard at a full sprint. They didn't come straight at me, but angled through the yard and through the next yard so that by the time I got there they would have perfectly intercepted me. Problem was, I stcpped when I saw them so there we were, me stopped in front of one driveway them standing in the road in front of the next barking and running in circles as if taunting me to move ahead.
I partially blocked traffic in the hopes that with traffic coming to a stop the dogs would lose interest and go home but no luck. Traffic just kept going, the dogs stood their ground and kept barking, and I just stood there.
After 5 minutes or so the owner came out and gave me the standard line: they won't hurt you. Bull shit. This owner was at least a little more honest and said "they won't hurt you, they just want to chase you down the road." Incredible bull shit.
The owner told me to ride and that he would stand there and watch them. Which he did, and no more. I rode at a snails pace and they tracked me move for move for about 100 yards, never attacking but always there barking, growling, and with teeth bared.
Did I tell you that I hate dogs?
Got to Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park at 11:00 after an easy morning of riding, except for the dogs, which I hate (did I tell you that yet?). No one was at the check-in booth but a sign said to go to Site 201. When I got there no one was home, turns out they have the day off. Went to the camp store. They were closed and didn't open until 5:00. So much for lunch.
It's now 1:00 and i'm just sitting at a picnic table by the store staying out of the sun. Will try the check-in booth again at 3:00 when they are supposed to open.
Today was easy, the next two days are supposed to be long and hard again.
Did I tell you I hate dogs? And many dog owners.
Today's friendly encounter was with a pack of three of them, but two were obviously the leaders. After last year's crash I don't try and outrun them anymore I just stop and hope they lose interest, with my bike between them and me and a can of pepper spray in one hand.
I saw these three take off from the front yard at a full sprint. They didn't come straight at me, but angled through the yard and through the next yard so that by the time I got there they would have perfectly intercepted me. Problem was, I stcpped when I saw them so there we were, me stopped in front of one driveway them standing in the road in front of the next barking and running in circles as if taunting me to move ahead.
I partially blocked traffic in the hopes that with traffic coming to a stop the dogs would lose interest and go home but no luck. Traffic just kept going, the dogs stood their ground and kept barking, and I just stood there.
After 5 minutes or so the owner came out and gave me the standard line: they won't hurt you. Bull shit. This owner was at least a little more honest and said "they won't hurt you, they just want to chase you down the road." Incredible bull shit.
The owner told me to ride and that he would stand there and watch them. Which he did, and no more. I rode at a snails pace and they tracked me move for move for about 100 yards, never attacking but always there barking, growling, and with teeth bared.
Did I tell you that I hate dogs?
Got to Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park at 11:00 after an easy morning of riding, except for the dogs, which I hate (did I tell you that yet?). No one was at the check-in booth but a sign said to go to Site 201. When I got there no one was home, turns out they have the day off. Went to the camp store. They were closed and didn't open until 5:00. So much for lunch.
It's now 1:00 and i'm just sitting at a picnic table by the store staying out of the sun. Will try the check-in booth again at 3:00 when they are supposed to open.
Today was easy, the next two days are supposed to be long and hard again.
Did I tell you I hate dogs? And many dog owners.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
In The Hills
A brutal, brutal, murderously brutal day. It was hills all the way from Chester, IL, to Farrmington, MO. Oh, don't get me wrong, the scenery was spectacular, with rolling hills filled with farms, fields of corn, beans, or huge bales of hay and with a half dozen or more vineyards. Yes, I don't deny that it was beautiful, but insanely brutal. Because of the heat.
I walked up more hills today than I have in years. When it is this hot I just have no strength in my legs and today (and the next 3 days) are putting them to the test.
Even though I did walk up a lot of hills, I still rolled into Farmington at 2:00 and found a new "Inn" set up for riders of the TransAm. It's quite the spread and I wouldn't mind living here. Hardwood floors, plush leather furniture, Cable TV, Internet, wired and wireless, and air-conditioned. There's bunk beds for about 50 people but tonight there are only 4 of us — one solo rider and two Brits all heading East, and myself. Still haven't met any other west-bound riders but others tell me they are out there.
Except for in the hills i'm feeling good. My legs and shoulders are peeling badly from the burn they got on day one, but they don't hurt. Cardio-vasculurly i'm getting stronger each day and i think the quads are as well. But based on today, i could be in trouble when i get to Colorado and the Rockies. :-)
Tomorrow I ride somewhere around 38 miles to Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park. It's supposed to be nothing but hills. Up, down, up, down, up, down, up, down, up, ...... well you get the idea.
I walked up more hills today than I have in years. When it is this hot I just have no strength in my legs and today (and the next 3 days) are putting them to the test.
Even though I did walk up a lot of hills, I still rolled into Farmington at 2:00 and found a new "Inn" set up for riders of the TransAm. It's quite the spread and I wouldn't mind living here. Hardwood floors, plush leather furniture, Cable TV, Internet, wired and wireless, and air-conditioned. There's bunk beds for about 50 people but tonight there are only 4 of us — one solo rider and two Brits all heading East, and myself. Still haven't met any other west-bound riders but others tell me they are out there.
Except for in the hills i'm feeling good. My legs and shoulders are peeling badly from the burn they got on day one, but they don't hurt. Cardio-vasculurly i'm getting stronger each day and i think the quads are as well. But based on today, i could be in trouble when i get to Colorado and the Rockies. :-)
Tomorrow I ride somewhere around 38 miles to Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park. It's supposed to be nothing but hills. Up, down, up, down, up, down, up, down, up, ...... well you get the idea.
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