Friday, 10-1-10

Arrived in Clinton, MO at 11:40 AM. The end of the Katy trail and the end of my ride. I think it was a mere 16.6 miles. Redoing the math: I rode 226.5 miles on the Katy trail, which is pretty much all the is to it, took 5.5 days, could run it the opposite way west to east in 3 I am sure as most of it is on a down grade, obviously east to west is the reverse. If you don't believe me, you are welcome to ride it and let me know if I am wrong. The trip mileage was actually 683.5 to Clinton and another 1.5 to the motel so let us call it 685 overall for the 3 weeks. During that time I had 2 full days and 2 1/2 days off due to weather. , During the trip I survived one crash into a tunnel wall, spider bites, excessive heat in the 90 degree range, high winds around 35 miles an hour, sun burned nose, riding on high traffic highways, including one ride on interstate 72 across the Mississippi River, dogs chasing me (one causing me to hit my leg on the bicycle pedal raising a golf ball bump on it), fatigue, hunger, thirst, miscellaneous bumps and scrapes, hill after hill after hill, many of which were so exhausting that my whole body was screaming and my heart was pumping so hard that I thought it would surely burst, head pounding, sweat pouring out every pore. All in all it was a wild ride, where once again, I met some of the most outstanding individuals I have ever met. Generous and gracious to a fault. Did I enjoy it? Oh yeah! It was a great experience. Now it is time for me to head home where I am needed or so I am told. And so it goes!!