Day 5: Saturday

Tm: 6:02:50
Dst: 77.73
Avg: 12.8
Mx: 31.6

I had breakfast at the Motel and hopped on the trail.  It was dry, and I was making good time.  I would have made better time if not for all of the distractions on the trail.  Case in point, a sign promised a "beautiful view" after a "strenuous hike."  I made that hike, which was more like a climb up steep hiking trails, only to discover the view entirely obscured by trees.  There were other, more interesting sights, such as a natural rock arch that has been eroded into a bluff, and so on. And, strangely enough, there was also an oddity I call "Boathenge".

At Rocheport, or near it, I started encountering more and more bikers (as pictured above).  Hundreds of them, actually.  After asking some questions, I realized they were all cub scouts trying to earn their bicycling merit badges.  But I can assure you, not a single one of them deserves a merit badge for their cycling skill!  They couldn't ride a straight line to save their lives, and they were riding three or four abreast on the narrow trail.  I had to yell a few times to keep them from running right into me because there was nowhere for me to go (steep ditches, narrow trail) and they were heading straight at me without looking.  I yelled "Heads Up!!" several times and gave them a scare.

Then I saw the only tunnel on the Katy trail, which was pretty cool. 

Eventually I crossed the river in to Booneville, where I had lunch at an overpriced place with slow service.  That said, they did have outdoor seating -- a must for as smelly as I probably was.

Next I rode through town to the train depot, where the Katy goes south and I continued west.  It was sad to leave the peaceful, quiet, sheltered, and safe trail.  Now I once again share the road with cars and I have to resume climbing hills when they come up.

Back on the road, I pedaled as fast as I could, constantly looking over my shoulder for cars.  The hills and curves in Missouri make it a bit unnerving to ride bike.  One can't see traffic coming from either direction until it's already there.

Soon the heat and sun started to get to me as well.  I stopped a few times just to get some shade.  When I finally got to Marshall I had a hard time finding the motels.  I asked for directions twice before I made it to the Super 8.

Thankfully there are some services here: a Wal-Mart, a Quiznos sub place, and other stuff.  This area is so different than the quiet, quaint wine-country towns.  Marshall feels unwelcoming by comparison.

Tomorrow I will go to Mass at 7:30, then head out for either Lexington (40 miles) or Holt (100 miles).  I'm really tired after today.