TransAm 2017 – Page 4 – Ramblin' Dan: Bike Touring Adventures

Day 36: 73 Miles

Eureka, KS to Newton, KS

The forecast today was similar to yesterday. The temperature was expected to stay cool until noon and the wind would not be too bad. I was out of the motel by 7:45 and went in search of breakfast and food to pack for lunch. There was nowhere to stop on today’s route, so I had to be prepared with enough food to get me through the whole day. I rode my bike up main street and found the local grocery store where I picked up a wrap and some apples for lunch along with a few Gatorades.

Day 35: 62 Miles

Chanute, KS to Eureka, KS

The forecast today was for temperatures to remain in the 70s until noon and it also looked like the winds would be slightly in my favor. With no shade to hide in, I started the day out early, so I’d be out of the sun before it got too hot. Today looked a little flatter than yesterday, so I was hoping to average a decent speed, even with my rear wheel not fully fixed.

Day 34: 58 Miles

Pittsburg, KS to Chanute, KS

I didn’t go too crazy at the bar last night, so I was up at a reasonable time this morning. My plan was to get to Chanute, about 60 miles away, but I’d continue on if I was feeling good. The route today was mostly flat, but the winds made things more difficult than expected.

Day 33: 71 Miles

Ash Grove, MO to Pittsburg, KS

Just as the whiteboard at the bike hostel promised, today started off with 23 miles of hills. Luckily they were small and easy to get through. The locals talk about their hills everywhere I’ve been and how their hills are the hardest part of the bike route. They’d probably change their story if they could see what I had to get through in Pennsylvania.

Day 32: 47 Miles

Marshfield, MO to Ash Grove, MO

After setting up my tent last night I walked over to the Mexican restaurant about 100 feet away to grab some dinner. The food was good, but I was surprised by the margarita. The waiter asked what size I wanted, so I asked for a medium without thinking to check what that actually meant. My meal came out along with 30 ounces of margarita. It was enough to have me feeling pretty good after the meal.

Day 31: 64 Miles

Houston, MO to Marshfield, MO

I slept in this morning which was nice after yesterday’s long ride. The bed at the motel had memory foam and was one of the more comfortable places I’ve slept in a while. I expected Matt to be gone by the time I woke up, but he also chose to take advantage of a comfortable bed and slept in as well. I started getting my things together and then headed next door to Casey’s General Store.

Day 30: 69 Miles

Ellington, MO to Houston, MO

Today’s ride was on paper the hardest day I’ll have until I hit Colorado. With this knowledge, I tried to wake up early, but when my alarm went off at 6:45 Matt had already left and Troy and Amanda were on their way out the door. I’ve never been a morning person, but I am really not a morning person compared to these other cyclists. Troy and Amanda had come from Houston, MO yesterday and were able to give me a good idea of what I’d be getting into today. The first 25 miles would be the hardest, there would then be another 35 miles with rolling hills and some large climbs, and the last 10 miles would flatten out. I got on the road around 7:45, which for me was pretty early.

Day 29: 60 Miles

Farmington, MO to Ellington, MO

It was really nice this morning to wake up in a bedroom to myself. I got up on my own schedule, instead of waking up when the earliest person started moving around. I had also picked up some food for breakfast the night before which meant I didn’t have to go in search of the nearest gas station for food this morning.

Day 28: 47 Miles

Chester, IL to Farmington, MO

Today started off much earlier than normal. By 5:00 AM I heard Alan getting his things together. I rolled over and went back to sleep, but heard Charlie getting up around 6:00. I didn’t think I’d fall back to sleep so I started to get my things together. I talked to Matt and Charlie about their plans for the day. Matt was planning to head to Farmington, while Charlie decided to take a rest day. By 7:00 I was on the road with Matt, headed for Missouri.

Day 27: 50 Miles

Carbondale, IL to Chester, IL

I slept in this morning because the bike shop and post office both did not open until 9:30. By the time I was getting up Charlie was already packed up and ready to leave. He went ahead and scouted out the places to stay in Chester while I ran my errands.

Day 26: 47 Miles

Vienna, IL to Carbondale, IL

Today started on a bike trail which was a nice change of pace from the rolling hills that I’ve been riding for the last few days. The crushed stone is much slower than pavement, but there is something nice about getting on a bike trail and not having to change gears for 10 miles. The bike trail went from Vienna, IL to Tunnel Hill, IL. The tunnel into Tunnel Hill was a terrifying experience. There were no lights in the tunnel and it was long enough that light from the ends did not reach the middle. I got to the center and it was pitch black. I couldn’t see the walls or floor, just the opening at the end of the tunnel. My cell phone light was no help so I pedaled onward blindly and thankfully made it out the other end.

Day 25: 59 Miles

Marion, KY to Vienna, IL

The theme of the day today was once again hills and headwinds. I woke up around 6:00 this morning and started to get ready. The church we were staying at had an 8:30 service and I figured it would be best to get out of there before people started showing up.

Day 24: 43 Miles

Sebree, KY to Marion, KY

This morning started off much like normal except this time I had 2 other cyclists with me. The weather was supposed to be bad tonight so I planned a short 43 -mile route to get me to another church where I would be safe indoors before the weather hit. Charlie also planned on doing the same route, while Matt decided to take a rest day to stay in Sebree. Charlie got out the door about 30 minutes before me and then I was off around 8:45.

Day 23: 71 Miles

Falls of Rough, KY to Sebree, KY

Today was a fairly uneventful day of riding. I started at my usual 9:00 AM and headed out on what would be a day full of Kentucky back roads.

Day 22: 78 Miles

Louisville, KY to Falls of Rough, KY

My day yesterday in Louisville was filled with rain so I was hoping all of the rain would be out of the area by the time I woke up this morning. I took a look at the radar and most of the rain appeared to be east of Louisville. I thought I would be good to go, but the storm circled back on itself which meant I rode through rain for about 35 miles this morning.