We started our day with breakfast at the cafe with Kelly and Luke. Kelly gave the biscuits a 10 out of 10. She grew up on a farm, so I believe her,

It took a few miles to get on the trail, but they were very pleasant, and we were able to stop at a gas station for Gatorade and Payday bars. Which turns out to have been a good idea, because there were no more services for 40 miles.

The weather today was perfect, and the trail was well shaded. However, all 50 miles of today’s ride was on gravelsand. With every pedal stroke, it ate a little of our tires, and a little more of our souls. Our average speed was 9.3. When I rode without the button, my average speed was 5.6. I admit that, without the button, I would not want to be doing this ride.

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Dana said there was a convenience store at mile 30, which we were very much looking forward to. But it was in the town of Chilhowee. Turns out the town is pretty much gone. If the store is still in business, it was closed today. But there was a nice bench in the shade, which was lovely. But I find these dead towns to be very sad.

At mile 40, we came to the town of Leeton, and had lunch at DiAngelo’s American Diner. If you are ever in Leeton, MO, I highly recommend it. I’ve enclosed a picture of the owners, lovely, friendly people serving really good food. Dana had peach cobbler, because he could. 

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I was thinking this would be a very short email. Until mile 45.

There are lots of road crossings on the trail, each with a gate slightly wider than a bicycle. Do you see where this is going?  Now, personally, I’m respectful of those things and ride through them very slowly. Spoiler alert: after mile 45, Dana did, too.

But as he went through that fateful gate, he thought that was a good time to check his bike computer. Turns out, it was not. So he hit the gate with his right brake hood, flipped himself around, and went down HARD. Then he said lots of bad words. 

I was afraid he couldn’t get up, but he did. I’ve enclosed a picture of his knee. Other bloody parts are his elbow and a finger, but they pale in comparison. What he’s most upset about, however, is his broken shifter. 

So for the last 5 miles, he was more miserable than me. But the woman at the hotel in Windsor was so nice. She got us peroxide and bandages, and offered to help us tomorrow if we need it. Which we might. 

The plan for tomorrow was to ride 16 miles to Clinton, without the panniers, ring the bell at the start of the Katy trail, then ride back here. But plans may change. Let’s see what happens.