Jeff’s Missouri Bicycle Trip Report - 05/25/09
Day 8 - Morning
Monday, May 25th, 2009 - Destination: Bolivar.
Up at
7:00 .a.m., watched weather report on TV (scattered rain) and went for the free
breakfast in the motel at 8:35 .a.m. Received another email from my father-in-law, who filled me in on more happenings from home and wished me well on the rest of the trip. I called Tahdra
and found out she had emailed Laurie on Friday what I was up to! Fortunately,
Bill and Laurie were in St. Louis with friends for the weekend, and Laurie
didn’t get the news until this afternoon. Here’s the email exchange between
Tahdra and Laurie.
Subject: Re: A
Question
Date: Fri, May 22nd, 2009 4:39 p.m.
From:
Tahdra
To: Laura Hi!
Thanks! We hear that we should see the Bass Pro Shop and Isaac would like
that. He is going fishing in Canada and Colorado this summer. Also,
we thought the Springfield Conservation Nature Center sounds fun. Have you
been there? We could do one each day - not to tax ourselves - Isaac wants
loafing time at your house! I think Jeff will need some recovery time,
also, since he decided to bike (and tent) down to you, guys. He is already
in Missouri today and should arrive late Tuesday afternoon about when Isaac and
I will. Oh, also Isaac said Buckingham’s was
fun. Love, Tahdra Subject:
RE: A Question
Date: Mon, May 25th, 2009
12:39 p.m.
From: Laura
To: Tahdra Tahdra,
You’re kidding, right? Jeff isn’t really on the road
on his bike? Oh how I hope you’re kidding. It’s raining. It’s
probably 400 miles from here to there and there are tons of very strenuous
hills. Can you call him now, find out where he is and we’ll go get
him?
Love,
Laurie Subject: Re: A
Question
Date: Mon, May 25th, 2009 6:22 p.m.
From:
Tahdra
To: Laura
Laurie,
Thanks! He doesn’t keep the cell phone on, though - just
turning it on to call me, if needed. He has rain gear, and he is very
determined - you know Jeff! He was planning on staying in a motel tonight,
so he should be fine. This morning he was 90 miles out from you
guys. He was going to do 45 and 45 so it will be an easy finish for him
considering Sunday he did 76 miles. I know he would be mad at us picking him up
at this point! He has promised to call if he needs a ride. Thanks
again and see you tomorrow - sounds like you had a very nice weekend!
Love,
Tahdra Later I heard this story on Laurie’s concern: Laurie said to
Bill, “We’ve got to get the state police to find Jeff so we can pick him up!”
Bill replied, “What do we tell them? To look for a guy dressed like a janitor on
a bicycle?” I guess that’s when Laurie decided it was hopeless. Thank
goodness!! Checked out at 9:38 .a.m., after asking the desk clerk if the road
behind the motel connected up with Route 13. It did. 
Route 13 does have
a nice wide shoulder, except along 3 bridges, where it is narrow. I waited
for a hole in the traffic flow before riding as fast as I could
across. 85 miles to Springfield, but I only need to get to Bolivar
today. 
A bicycle-friendly road! 
There were also a
few signs for sharing the road with horse drawn buggies. I did notice here and
there that horses had been on the shoulder before me. I picked up nails, screws,
and other sharp objects from the road whenever I saw them, but there was no way
I could pick up all the nails at one section of shoulder I passed over. It was
like an obstacle course, but I made it through OK. Here’s the only picture
I’ve ever taken while moving on my bike. It didn’t come out too bad, except that
a car behind me triggered my 7 mph reading to 60 just when I snapped the
picture! I was ready for a break, so stopped at the Shell station in Lowry City
(ahead in the picture) for an orange juice at 11:50 .a.m.. 
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