Day 32: Missouri Hospitality

Summersville, Missouri to Farmington, Missouri – “Warm Showers” Hosts Bill and Annette

I woke early this morning wishing I had more time to sleep. Even though I slept well, I was still very tired when my alarm went off, especially my legs. I probably could have slept all day. It’s difficult waking up every morning at 4:00 a.m., but it’s worth it for the early morning riding. It is definitely my favorite time to ride – cooler temps and no traffic. So, I reinflated my tires and was back on the road before 5:00.

A little while before sunrise, I came across the Flatrock Fire Tower, and climbed to the top. It was so tall, and the stairs were a little sketchy, but the views were amazing. A worthwhile stop. Today I biked along the Ozark Scenic Riverway. It was beautiful, but brutal! These were by far the hardest hills I’ve done on my trip. They are just so steep! From mile 20 to 50 today, I was either going 3 or 30 mph. The hills were regularly 16 to 18% grades and it was just pinnacle after pinnacle. Over the course of a typical mile, I’d climb from 500 to 1000 feet. I’d struggle up, fly down, and do it over and over again. It was insanely hard, and made me wish for the 10% grades I tackled out West! At the top of what turned out to be the last hill, I was resting, and a woman pulled over to check if I needed any help. She told me to stop at her store, OPY’s, in the next town. When I pulled into Arlene’s store, the only one in town, she refilled my water bottles, and we chatted for a bit. She is an advocate for bikers along the TransAm Trail and is working with local businesses to provide more biker friendly amenities in town. She’s putting together a video of bikers who pass through, and she recorded a short segment about me!

Back on the road, and about 10 miles after Ellington, I was caught in a major thunderstorm. I took shelter under the covered porch of an abandoned convenience store, but not before getting completely soaked. I had to wait 45 minutes for the extreme thunderstorms to pass, but I was able to use the time to call home and have lunch. A little further on, I was struggling up a smaller hill and someone pulled alongside me in a car. They asked if I wanted a banana, and without either of us stopping, we did an out the window banana hand-off. It was a seamless exchange. Mission complete, and the car sped off. Thank you mystery banana friends! Later, I found a rubber duck on the side of the road, and attached it to the front on my bike. Anything to pass the time. In the late afternoon, I fought a super steep hill and arrived at my “Warm Showers” house for the night. When I arrived, Bill greeted me and I later met Annette. They are both experienced touring cyclists and shared many of their experiences with me. They gave me plenty of snacks, and an amazing dinner of lasagna, garlic bread, salad and cookies. My hosts gave me one rule about dinner. They each get on piece of the lasagna, and I get the rest. I did not disappoint! Again, I ate so much, probably too much. After dinner, we watched some Tour de France and talked for a long time. Thank you Bill and Annette for a great dinner, comfortable bed and a chance to relax and clean myself up.

A quick thank you to all the Missouri drivers. They have been by far the best, most kind and tolerant drivers around cyclists. They always give me plenty of space, and are often very patient, waiting far behind me for an opportunity to pass instead of squeezing by. Thank you! The Missouri hills have been tough but the people have been great! VIEW PHOTOS

Distance: 103.69(2433.04 total miles)
Time: 8:32:04
Ascent: 8123
Descent: 8248

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