Tulsa, OK to Lexington, KY (by bicycle)

[Panache]

I spoke with the one and only way2fractious who was on the road and so far he was enjoying the first part of his trek. I know he has already had the opportunity to meet up with another member of XMTS and hope he does catch as many of us as he can during his journey.

Make sure to treat this wandering member of the Nor Cal rabble with all the care he deserves...err ...well perhaps better than that!*

Cheers

Jamie





* "God's bodikins, man much better; use every man after his desert, and who should scape whipping? Use them after your on honour and dignity: the less they deserve, the more merit is in your bounty."

Hamlet Act II, Scene II

[arrogcow]

If my wife and kids go to Indy that weekend (and at the moment they are), I'm in for something.

Adam

[David Thornton]

I knew the trip had started, his gear arrived yesterday. I'll take suggestions, or I'll post an agenda when I speak with him next. Any suggestions?

David

[way2fractious]

Hey all,

Sun - 47 miles to Vinita, OK. Chain jumping and skipping. Figured out which gears to use to minimize problems.

Mon - 53 miles to Neosho, MO.

Tue - 78 miles to Springfield, MO. Bottom bracket bearings really got bad. They would not last the next 700 miles and have to be replaced.

Wed - I was stalled in Springfield for a day for bike repairs and adjustments. Problems getting old bottom bracket bearings out. I walked to another bike shop approx 2 miles away to buy necessary part for installation. New chain; new tubes. Got the good-as-new bike from the shop and headed uptown for the end of the second stage of the Tour de Missouri. George Hincapie crossed the line first at the end of the second stage from Clinton, MO. Met Cajunscot and a friend Tuesday night for dinner and visited Cajunscot briefly Wednesday afternoon at his workplace.

Day 5 - I'm in Marshfield at noon now. Can't upload pics at the library here. The weather is perfect for riding and the drivers in Missouri have all been very accommodating. My left knee is bad - feels like it's on fire (but only when I pedal :LOL If it holds out for the next 8 or 9 days, and my supply of ibuprofen is sufficient, I'll have this trip in the bag.

Gotta keep moving along down (or, up) the road.

TTYL, Richard

[James MacMillan]

and my supply of ibuprofen is sufficient, I'll have this trip in the bag.

While on active duty, me used to call ibuprofen "Vitamin M" for Motrin. We used to pop them almost to the abuse level.

No ill effects yet!

[Tattoo Bradley]

While on active duty, me used to call ibuprofen "Vitamin M" for Motrin. We used to pop them almost to the abuse level.

No ill effects yet!

Indeed!

[James MacMillan]

Indeed!

Well, unless you count this wierd addiction I have to being comfortable!

[way2fractious]

Day 5 - 91 miles from Springfield, MO TO Houston, MO. The bike worked flawlessly for the first time this trip. Those guys at Springfield Cycles knew what they were doing. Turns out a guy I met yesterday at Tour de MO stayed at the same motel, so we had breakfast together before he went out for his morning ride. He and his wife are being Tour de MO groupies this week as the Tour moves around Missouri. Loved the cheeseburger and milkshake dinner at Hardee's before setting up camp in the Houston city park for the night.

Day 6 - 69 miles to Ellington, MO. Another perfect day for the bike; less perfect for my knee. Great bacon & egg muffin and blueberry muffin for breakfast at Hardee's. And the bacon cheeseburger dinner at Hall's in Ellington was alone worth the ride. It seems EVERYONE uses the city park on Friday night in Ellington. The walkers kept circling the quarter-mile path until dark, then more walkers showed up at 10:30 and turned on the big lights for their walk. It also seems that every kid with any kind of truck had to throw a little gravel on the park drive until midnight. After that a large, well-fed raccoon decided to sort through the garbage cans. I did manage to get some sleep in Ellington.

Day 7 - 34 miles to Ironton, MO. Notice the short mileage. Plans started to get real flexible after the rear derailleur cable snapped just past Centerville. (On previous trips I always carried spare cables, but didn't this trip.) Cannibalized front shifter cable to obtain a small range of the lowest gears. Called ahead to the bike shop in Farmington; it closed/moved; I was referred to a cyclist in Ironton. I left a message. Without my requesting it, within a half-hour he drives out to pick me up. We find suitable cables in town. At his house, I replace cables, eat a chili dinner, camp out in his front yard, and discover that he has a gorgeous, old pipers kilt outfit a neighbor gave him. (That last happened after I donned my MARPAT off-bike kilt. Pics will follow later.)

Day 8 - 66 miles to Cape Girardeau, MO. Bike worked flawlessly again. Finally out of the hilly Ozark Mountains and on the Mississippi River, where the terrain flattens out. I see lotsof dead animals on the roads, but today I had to stop a photograph a live kangaroo in some front yard enclosure. Also saw a sign for EXMARKS MOWERS... hmmm...

Day 9 - 69 miles to Paducah, KY via Cairo, IL. Flatter terrain and frequent stops helped the left knee considerably, especially after the Grand Slam breakfast at Denny's. I am now way off my original route. From here I will be riding up the old highway, Route 62, as it roughly parallels I-24 from Paducah to Lexington. Still on plan for a Friday evening arrival in Lexington.

TTYL, Richard

(Sorry I wasn't able to notify anyone in Paducah earlier about the route change.)

[arrogcow]

So when and where are we going to get together in Lexington?

Adam

[David Thornton]

The Pub has the best selection of beer & ale, some of the staff will be kilted. Or I can arrange a table at the Irish pub, I was hoping for suggestions. Just you Adam, anyone else coming?

David