Day 13: Bolivar, Tennessee to Grenada, Mississippi. 122.60 miles.
On a bird note:
This morning as I was putting on sunscreen, I listened to a mockingbird go through it's morning song and mimic progression. I wondered what I listened to before I became all birdy and ignoring the mockingbird, I heard the traffic on the street and an air conditioner hum. Those aren't jump at you sounds so I figured I must have ignored sounds in previous years and spent the sunscreen time alone in my mind.
On a slight downhill, I listened to two white-eyed vireos singing from opposite sides of the road and thought some more about the what did I do before birds question. I think (maybe) (perhaps) (not entirely sure) the birding has helped increase my awareness while decreasing (albeit slight) ruminations.
On a scary note:
I tend to worry more about the cars coming at me than the cars behind me. Today at Mile 108, I watched a red Jeep jump out into my lane to make a pass on a car. I was wearing my reflective bright yellow safety vest and so I sat up taller in my seat and began waving my left arm with the hope the driver would notice me. I'm guessing the driver noticed because he then threw his left tires onto the rumble stripped shoulder on my side of the road so the only option I had was to run my bicycle completely off the road. I missed getting flattened by just a few seconds (besides missing scenery, this is a main reason why I don't like riding with my head down). Thankfully my tires are 700x32s and the off road wasn't steep, filled with gravel, rocks, or anything difficult, just weeds and grass. The same thing happened to Erik and Karen today except they were able to escape their oncoming vehicle on the rumble stripped shoulder.
On a happier note:
During lunch on the University of Mississippi campus, a bearded fellow (Mike) walked over to us and chatted with us about our trip and his own travel hopes. I needed to use a restroom and asked Mike if a bathroom was available in Coulter Hall (the University's biochemistry building). He gave me good news, but also told me the building didn't have a bathroom on the first floor. After a thinking pause, Mike remembered that the floor the front doors open to is considered the second floor and that the bathroom is actually on the third floor even though the third floor is probably really just the second floor. Mike gave me detailed directions on how to find the elevator, but warned me that the second time he used the elevator, he entered and the elevator wouldn't go up or down. It was stuck. He was worried he would be trapped, but discovered if he pushed the 2nd floor button, the doors to the elevator would open and he was free to leave.
I pushed the elevator up button from the 2nd floor and when the doors open a relieved student was standing inside with a tank (larger than the student) of liquid nitrogen. I stepped into the elevator and the kid went into a slight panic. He had difficulty with his words, but what I gathered was that the elevator was broken and he had been stuck and when I pushed the button from the outside I had saved him. But now I was in the elevator and the door had closed so were both stuck with the rather large tank of liquid nitrogen. In a calm, reassuring voice, I told the student I had heard about the elevator problem and all he needed to do was push the 2nd floor button (all of the other floor buttons were lit so apparently the kid had pushed everything but the 2nd floor).
The doors opened and the kid quickly walked out declaring he was going to find someone to tell about the broken elevator. I left to find the stairs. And the liquid nitrogen stayed behind.
Track 11: Luna - The Old Fashioned Way. Some love is short, some love is long. Sing to the ghosts of a dream gone wrong.
Friday, July 6, 2012
1000 Things To Do Before You Die: #15
#15: Get detailed instructions from Mike on how to find and then use the elevator in Coulter Hall on the University of Mississippi campus. (See Team 242: Day 13).
Accomplished: Friday, July 6, 2012.
Half-credit: The elevator works correctly.
Extra-credit: When Mike helps you, he's crossed off a few more things on his life to do list (including riding his bicycle all the way to Nashville and riding his bicycle or hiking the continental divide all the way to Ecuador).
Accomplished: Friday, July 6, 2012.
Half-credit: The elevator works correctly.
Extra-credit: When Mike helps you, he's crossed off a few more things on his life to do list (including riding his bicycle all the way to Nashville and riding his bicycle or hiking the continental divide all the way to Ecuador).
Team 242: Day Twelve
Day 12: Union City, Tennessee to Bolivar, Tennessee. 95.27 miles.
I have yet to see an RC Cola sign, but I know we're in the south. Here's how:
1. Instead of an American Flag flying on a grain silo, there's that other flag.
2. My left arm/hand is tired from waving to all the passing drivers/pedestrians. (This is not a complaint.)
3. Roadkilled armadillos.
4. Kudzu.
5. Hospitality.
a. Erik had a flat. He was the first rider so the rest of us eventually rode to Erik as he was changing his tire. He assured us he'd be ok and since there's really no need to stand around in the sun on pavement to simply watch someone change a tire, we kept going. About 2 miles down the road we stopped at a tricky intersection to wait for Erik so he wouldn't go the wrong way. As we waited a truck pulled up to the red light and with windows down (bass slightly thumping) the passenger told us our buddy had a flat a few miles back. He was changing his tire. Thank you. A few minutes later another pickup appeared at the light and after rolling down the window the driver informed us that one of our riders had a flat a few miles back, but he was almost done fixing it. Thank you (again). As soon as that driver was done passing on his information another truck appeared and the driver got out to let us know our friend had changed his tire. And not only that, but he had Erik's punctured tube and was going to throw it away for him. He even showed us Erik's tube. Thank you (again again). And then a few minutes later a lady stopped her van in the right lane (right blinker on), got out and walked over to us (we were standing in the shade under a tree about 15 feet off of the road). She explained she was a rider, too and had checked on our friend. He fixed his flat and was beginning to ride again. She asked what we were doing and when we explained the cause/reason she shook our hands and shared that her mother had died from a heart condition. This is why I ride. (Sidenote: the lady looked back at her van, realized she was blocking traffic and said to us, "I suppose I'm blocking traffic." (pause). "They'll get over it."
b. Slovic had a flat. Once again instead of waiting on the side of the road for the fix, we waited in the shade at Big Tim's Citgo in Trenton, Tennessee. Big Tim was there and he welcomed us into his store with open arms and a large amount of 'please help yourself.' Big Tim also called Danny from the local newspaper and a few minutes later, Karen was giving an impromptu interview and we gathered around for a group photo. In addition to Tim's generosity, Oliver (a customer in the store at the same time as us) bought me a Gatorade because I had been riding my bicycle for so long and for so far and in that heat. Oliver is planning on riding his motorcycle to the Pacific Northwest soon. And Shelby (she works at Big Tim's) was beyond friendly and had plenty of encouraging and supportive words for the group. This is why I ride.
c. Some ladies working at a gas station on the outskirts of Jackson, Tennessee had a perfect suggestion for a lunch spot. They had difficulty deciding the directions, but eventually agreed it was a left at that light, another left at the next light, and then in two lights turn left again and the park will be on the left after a bank and a hospital. They didn't know any of the street names. We found the park. And it was a left at that light, another left at the next light, and then in three lights we turned left again and the park was on the right after a bank that was on the left. This is why I ride. And the park was perfect.
Non-southern note:
While walking the aisles of a Fred's Pharmacy in Bolivar, Tennessee, an older man shuffled his way towards me and stopped. He looked up and said, "You're one of those cross country bicycle riders, aren't you?" When I told him he was right, he replied, "I knew it. You have that look in your face."
Track 11: Mates of State - Punchlines. It's not the same without you around. It's not the same without you.
I have yet to see an RC Cola sign, but I know we're in the south. Here's how:
1. Instead of an American Flag flying on a grain silo, there's that other flag.
2. My left arm/hand is tired from waving to all the passing drivers/pedestrians. (This is not a complaint.)
3. Roadkilled armadillos.
4. Kudzu.
5. Hospitality.
a. Erik had a flat. He was the first rider so the rest of us eventually rode to Erik as he was changing his tire. He assured us he'd be ok and since there's really no need to stand around in the sun on pavement to simply watch someone change a tire, we kept going. About 2 miles down the road we stopped at a tricky intersection to wait for Erik so he wouldn't go the wrong way. As we waited a truck pulled up to the red light and with windows down (bass slightly thumping) the passenger told us our buddy had a flat a few miles back. He was changing his tire. Thank you. A few minutes later another pickup appeared at the light and after rolling down the window the driver informed us that one of our riders had a flat a few miles back, but he was almost done fixing it. Thank you (again). As soon as that driver was done passing on his information another truck appeared and the driver got out to let us know our friend had changed his tire. And not only that, but he had Erik's punctured tube and was going to throw it away for him. He even showed us Erik's tube. Thank you (again again). And then a few minutes later a lady stopped her van in the right lane (right blinker on), got out and walked over to us (we were standing in the shade under a tree about 15 feet off of the road). She explained she was a rider, too and had checked on our friend. He fixed his flat and was beginning to ride again. She asked what we were doing and when we explained the cause/reason she shook our hands and shared that her mother had died from a heart condition. This is why I ride. (Sidenote: the lady looked back at her van, realized she was blocking traffic and said to us, "I suppose I'm blocking traffic." (pause). "They'll get over it."
b. Slovic had a flat. Once again instead of waiting on the side of the road for the fix, we waited in the shade at Big Tim's Citgo in Trenton, Tennessee. Big Tim was there and he welcomed us into his store with open arms and a large amount of 'please help yourself.' Big Tim also called Danny from the local newspaper and a few minutes later, Karen was giving an impromptu interview and we gathered around for a group photo. In addition to Tim's generosity, Oliver (a customer in the store at the same time as us) bought me a Gatorade because I had been riding my bicycle for so long and for so far and in that heat. Oliver is planning on riding his motorcycle to the Pacific Northwest soon. And Shelby (she works at Big Tim's) was beyond friendly and had plenty of encouraging and supportive words for the group. This is why I ride.
c. Some ladies working at a gas station on the outskirts of Jackson, Tennessee had a perfect suggestion for a lunch spot. They had difficulty deciding the directions, but eventually agreed it was a left at that light, another left at the next light, and then in two lights turn left again and the park will be on the left after a bank and a hospital. They didn't know any of the street names. We found the park. And it was a left at that light, another left at the next light, and then in three lights we turned left again and the park was on the right after a bank that was on the left. This is why I ride. And the park was perfect.
Non-southern note:
While walking the aisles of a Fred's Pharmacy in Bolivar, Tennessee, an older man shuffled his way towards me and stopped. He looked up and said, "You're one of those cross country bicycle riders, aren't you?" When I told him he was right, he replied, "I knew it. You have that look in your face."
Track 11: Mates of State - Punchlines. It's not the same without you around. It's not the same without you.
1000 Things To Do Before You Die: #14
#14: Meet Shelby and Tim from Big Tim's Citgo in Trenton, Tennessee. (2001 Highway 45 Bypass)
Accomplished: Thursday, July 5, 2012.
Half-credit: Oliver isn't at the store.
Extra-credit: Cool off from 100+ temperatures in Big Tim's beer cave.
Accomplished: Thursday, July 5, 2012.
Half-credit: Oliver isn't at the store.
Extra-credit: Cool off from 100+ temperatures in Big Tim's beer cave.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Team 242: Day Eleven
Day 11: Carbondale/Murphysboro, IL to Union City, TN. 105.00 miles.
We
spent the night in Carbondale, but our ride ended just south of
Murphysboro. This strategy had quite a few advantages. 1. We were able
to utilize our 1st year method of chalking a 242 at our ending
location. This way we knew exactly where to start the next day so we
wouldn't miss out on even an inch of riding. 2. We didn't have to ride
into Carbondale which shaved some miles off of the day. 3. We were able
to take 127 south instead of 51 (127 is scenic and 51 is double wide
traffic). 4. Beloiter and current SIU grad student Karen Baumann lives
in Carbondale and she offered the use of her washer and dryer.
After scenic 127 (please remember, I define 127 as scenic south of Murphysboro), we dropped into the Mississippi River valley and found
ourselves in the suburbs of Cairo, Illinois. Future City. Or a city is
planned to exist in this location in the future?
.JPG)
From the first
ride, I remembered Cairo as a depressed community. On par with Gary,
Indiana from our Lake Michigan ride. I really hoped we would enter
Cairo and find a vibrant community making positive strides, but... not
so much. On a train bridge welcoming visitors into Cairo, a set of
train cars had been switched onto a side track. The cars directly above
the road (thus the most visible) were rusted and in absolute disrepair.
John Bell's Award Store (offering trophies, certificates of
achievement, and ribbons) was shuttered and next to it was John Bell's
latest business venture: tombstones and headstones. Since it was the
4th of July, it was difficult to tell if the businesses we saw were
closed for the day or closed forever. However, the liquor store was
open and judging by the number of vehicles in the parking lot, business
was booming. And near the liquor store I watched a young man throw the
wrapper from his cigars onto the ground. He must not have read the
sign.
.JPG)
After Cairo, we
crossed the Mississippi River into Missouri. After the first DBrowne
ride, we started pronouncing Missouri as misery. This year the weather
was hotter (109 on Slovic's bike computer), but the road conditions were
much better (smooth Missouri pavement... who knew it could happen?).
Though despite the improvements, we still couldn't find any trees to
rest under.
Despite the
barren landscape, we were ready to shower Missouri with compliments and
remove the misery from the state. But after following all of the signs
that said "Ferry" (and with arrows), we arrived at the Mississippi River
with no ferry in sight.
A lady who was
there told us the ferry was closed due to low water. So if the ferry
was out, why was she there? She was going to watch the fireworks that
would take place across the river (she was at least 4-5 hours early).
I'd also like to point out that KRN checked MODOT's website to see if
the ferry operated on the 4th of July and the website said the ferry was
only closed on Christmas. No warnings the ferry was closed. And if
you look closely there's a handwritten sign, but MODOT didn't bother to
put any of those signs with their "Ferry" (and with arrows). Jerks.
We thought
about swimming across, but we remembered what happened 10 years ago when
we played in the river. We then thought about caulking the bicycles
and floating across, but we've all played Oregon Trail and we know how
that always turns out. So I rode my bicycle to the river, dipped my
wheel into the water and we loaded the vehicle and the trailer and drove
north to Cairo following the same route we had just ridden. I tried to
close my eyes as much as possible so I wouldn't get transported back
into the 55 mph world. After a 1.5 hour detour, we arrived to the
location where the ferry would have dropped us off. So I dipped my
wheels into the river again and had thoughts about taking the ferry for a
joy ride on the river.
But no joy ride
on the river, we had a bicycle (day) ride to finish. 14 miles later we
were on the outskirts of Union City when a red Mustang made a quick
u-turn in front of us. The driver even gave us a fist salute out his
window. We assumed this must have been some sort of apology for the
u-turn or, perhaps, it was just a Union City greeting to bicycle riders
in spandex, but when the driver slowed down we discovered it was Dan
from the church. He drove out to find us so he could lead us to the
church and we would not get lost. We did not get lost. And even
better, Dan cooked a feast for us and had the pork, mashed potatoes,
seasoned green beans, carrots, and bread all warmed up and waiting for
us. A delicious end to the day.
Track 11: Mates of State - Halves and Have-Nots. We will laugh, we will laugh of how our nerves caught and held us down.
1000 Things To Do Before You Die: #13
#13: Attach a smoke grenade to your bicycle and ride off into the distance leaving a trail of smoke and sulphur.
Accomplished: Wednesday, July 4, 2012.
Half-credit: Your smoke bomb was not purchased at BoomLand.
Extra-credit: Multicolored smoke.
(Video to follow at some point.)
Accomplished: Wednesday, July 4, 2012.
Half-credit: Your smoke bomb was not purchased at BoomLand.
Extra-credit: Multicolored smoke.
Team 242: Day Ten
Day 10: Greenville, Illinois to Murphysboro/Carbondale, Illinois. 86.25 miles.
Despite all of yesterday's miles, I was still able to move and still able to sit on a bicycle seat. My Brooks leather saddle is starting to break in, or maybe (as Dave put it) my butt is breaking in. I do know that 10 years ago at this same point I was having considerable saddle issues, but those have not appeared this year. Whew.
No tail wind. No head wind. Not a lot of anything. I found myself pedaling with my head down which is something I try to avoid. So I made a point to sit up and take in the space around me, to soak in the natural beauty of central Illinois. Look left: corn field. Look right: corn field. And the fields were slightly elevated above the roadway so you couldn't see anything behind them. Gorgeous.
So I put my head back down and kept pedaling.
And again I found myself aware that I was not taking in the scenery. So I'd sit up again and the right looked exactly the same, but the left corn had been replaced by soy. Joy.
I tried to link a Google Street View so you'd get a better idea, but I was not successful. Instead just surround yourself with feed corn (not sweet) and turn the heat up to 100. And for good measure throw in a few roadkilled raccoons with the corn. Yep, I think that's about it.
A recurrence from yesterday: as we pedaled we watched thunderstorms building in the (not so far) distance. At a rest stop we took a long look at the clouds, decided we probably had another window of opportunity, and on we went. Again: no rain for us, but lightning was visible (and thunder audible). We were close enough to the storm and perfectly (sadly) situated that for 10 miles we had to fight a strong head wind from the outflow boundary. But at least the clouds were pretty.
Initially we had planned to ride our bicycles into Carbondale, but after some map checking, we realized we could follow the same route as 10 years ago and it would save us a few miles on tomorrow's ride. We would, however, have to bring back the strategy we applied during the first year's ride. We finished at a safe location just south of Murphysboro and loaded the trailer and truck with our bicycles and gear and drove to the church in Carbondale. To mark the location of our stopping point (so we can begin at the exact point of stopping) we chalked a 242 on the street.
Sidenote 1: Route 127 is absolutely boring, but just south of Murphysboro where the discarded dirty underwear sits on the shoulder, the scenery makes a change for the better.
Sidenote 2: Getting to spend time with Beloiter and good friend Karen Baumann in Carbondale literally buoyed my spirit.
Track 11: K'naan - Struggling. My season will come, it has to.
Despite all of yesterday's miles, I was still able to move and still able to sit on a bicycle seat. My Brooks leather saddle is starting to break in, or maybe (as Dave put it) my butt is breaking in. I do know that 10 years ago at this same point I was having considerable saddle issues, but those have not appeared this year. Whew.
No tail wind. No head wind. Not a lot of anything. I found myself pedaling with my head down which is something I try to avoid. So I made a point to sit up and take in the space around me, to soak in the natural beauty of central Illinois. Look left: corn field. Look right: corn field. And the fields were slightly elevated above the roadway so you couldn't see anything behind them. Gorgeous.
So I put my head back down and kept pedaling.
And again I found myself aware that I was not taking in the scenery. So I'd sit up again and the right looked exactly the same, but the left corn had been replaced by soy. Joy.
I tried to link a Google Street View so you'd get a better idea, but I was not successful. Instead just surround yourself with feed corn (not sweet) and turn the heat up to 100. And for good measure throw in a few roadkilled raccoons with the corn. Yep, I think that's about it.
A recurrence from yesterday: as we pedaled we watched thunderstorms building in the (not so far) distance. At a rest stop we took a long look at the clouds, decided we probably had another window of opportunity, and on we went. Again: no rain for us, but lightning was visible (and thunder audible). We were close enough to the storm and perfectly (sadly) situated that for 10 miles we had to fight a strong head wind from the outflow boundary. But at least the clouds were pretty.
Initially we had planned to ride our bicycles into Carbondale, but after some map checking, we realized we could follow the same route as 10 years ago and it would save us a few miles on tomorrow's ride. We would, however, have to bring back the strategy we applied during the first year's ride. We finished at a safe location just south of Murphysboro and loaded the trailer and truck with our bicycles and gear and drove to the church in Carbondale. To mark the location of our stopping point (so we can begin at the exact point of stopping) we chalked a 242 on the street.
Sidenote 1: Route 127 is absolutely boring, but just south of Murphysboro where the discarded dirty underwear sits on the shoulder, the scenery makes a change for the better.
Sidenote 2: Getting to spend time with Beloiter and good friend Karen Baumann in Carbondale literally buoyed my spirit.
Track 11: K'naan - Struggling. My season will come, it has to.
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