Changing Gears: Rey's Ride Across America

July 10th — Chaunte, KS to Willard, MO — 135 miles Well, we did it again! Since we were ahead of schedule from yesterday’s ride, I thought let’s keep up the momentum and see if we can go further than the planned destination of Golden City, MO. We hit the MO border late in the morning, and I was feeling good (better than yesterday anyway). Today we decided to push for Willard, about 45 miles past Golden City. For tomorrow's ride, that will set us up in good shape and possibly put us a day ahead if we can keep up the momentum. If we do end up a day ahead, we will use that extra day for Mark's departure this Sunday and drive him to the airport in St. Louis and spend some time there as well.

Southern Missouri is, of course, very rural as small farms and fields dot the landscape. The terrain has moved from flat to rolling hills as we climb up a bit in elevation. At the border of MO, there was a small store where the woman who runs the place said that a lot of bicyclists were traveling east to west this year. I have noticed that as well, as I have passed about 10 cyclists going west in the past few days and none going east. I think it is more difficult, of course, going west just due to the winds. I expect tomorrow we will have more climbing as we get deeper into the Ozark Mountains. We are in a northeastern track to get across Missouri so I am hoping the winds will be in our direction the next couple of days.