This road is amazing. I've had the most amazing weather
Managed to meet a couple of cyclist at the state line. Ron and Lois said they were camped out at the state park I was heading to. They invited me over to their spot for a beer later. I picked my camp spot right next to theirs.
Their lab was great to have around. Missing my dog sometimes.
Ron and Lois are from Michigan. Ron had just retired less than a week ago and they were traveling around in their RV. I set up my tent right next to their RV
Again, they were so nice and spolied me with Chicken Fajitas and a bottle of wine (split between the 3 of us, of course). This trip isn't just one big party!
Ron had an expresso machine and Lois made me a big breakfast in the morning. Ten times better than what I was going to cook that night. Ron and Lois were really good people like the rest.
This couple from Tennessee were interested in my trip. They said a prayer for me. I'll take it!
My Host in Danville Va, Karen, hooked me up with Jennifer and Jason to stay with in Tupelo. They picked me up to being me into town when I reached the visitor center to avoid the traffic.
Jason is a Youth Minister and Jennifer works in the legal 'import and export business'. They are both acid cyclist as well. They really made me Comfortable in
their home and were really cool.
Jason took me to see what Tupelo is known for: the birthplace of Elvis.
All good here
Jason and Jennifer had a couple of friends over and grilled out. They prepared an amazing southern dinner along with fried bologna! Good stuff:
like a lot of people, they made me feel so welcome, like family.
Sunday was pretty much a wash with the weather so they let me stay another night . I went to church with them on Sunday. Unfortunately, Jennifer became really sick after lunch and had to go to the ER. Just spoke to to her on the phone and she is doing okay now.
Jason arranged for me to crash with Candy and her family that night.
(Candy, Todd, Dalton, And Wyatt)
Had a great dinner with a great family. Had a nice bed to sleep in that night. Todd took me a few miles down the road to avoid the morning traffic. A huge thank you for all the help in Tupelo, Mississippi!
On Monday I had a lot of food supplies with me and was just going to ride as far as I could. Lunch consisted of peanut butter pepperoni wraps.
I met a dozen or so cyclists doing the entire trace down to New Orleans. They offered me lunch and gave me a Gatorade. Played leap frog riding with them throughout the day.
Don't forget, I hit 1000 miles on Monday! Stoked. More miles to come
Sunset selfies
Ran across 5+ miles from what must have been a huge tornado in 2011
With amazing weather and a flat highway, I pushed 94 miles that day. I made it to a bike only campsite and met these guys biking up the trace. They were just arriving too.
Fun fact- Oprah is from the town I camped in: Kosciusko.
They were all college buddies (father and son in middle). They were hilarious. Drove and paid for me at the Chinese buffet in town. They also took me out to breakfast the next morning.
I have been so fortunate to have met so many people that are most generous. But I am still carrying multiple pounds of canned food that I was planning on eating days ago! That weight adds up on all those miles. Hah.
More of the trace..
Picked up some stove gas in Jackson, Mississippi from Buffalo Ridge outfitters. Awesome staff. Helped me think about some more routes heading south.
I get the best looks pushing my bike through the mall.
Don and Becky hosted me in Jackson Tuesday night. They made me a delicious vegetarian dinner and took me to the Mississippi state fair.
I saw the 70'a band 3 dog nights play that night. Pretty cool.
This is their dog, 'moon dog'
And they had a miniature horse named Willow in the front yard. 
He weighed my bike fully loaded. Just under 60 pounds! Not bad. Thanks buddy. 
Don and Becky were great and interesting peope. Really enjoyed staying with them. Thanks guys.
Yesterday morning I was going to ride 3 days south to New Orleans. I had a flat first thing in the morning which made me think about the 3 hour, $35 amtrak train that was leaving in 2 hours. The station was just a 15 minute bike ride away!
I felt like I was cheating, BUT I wasn't planning on going to New Orleans in the first place. I had to put my bike in a box. It's a Terrible thing to take peddles off with a small multitool. I had to beat the tool with my shoe to unlock the threads
But 3 hours later...hello New Orleans!
Back in action!
Jeremiah was the first person I met outside the train station. Have me some good input on getting around the city and
Places to avoid. He thought my clip in shoes were insane too. 
I'm not a huge fan of big cities and touristy places. But everyone Said that I have to go to New Orleans.
The mighty Mississippi River
Purchased a spare tube from Larry at his bicycle rental shop. He has completed a lot of solo tours and showed me some great roads to ride across southern Louisiana.
New Orleans street band. Nothing on Richmond's NO BS.
Peter agreed to host me last minute. An Urban Planner and bike advocate for New Orleans. Great guy all around. He met me in the French quarter for a beer and then rode with me back to his house over by City Park.
Again, he gave me great advice for riding New Orleans and talked about his ride from El paso to San Diego. Made me excited for what is to come along the way.
So it's New Orleans for a couple of nights then back on the road. It's hard to sit still
Sometimes. I can't wait to keep riding
I am being productive. Growing a big bushy beard along the way.
Missing Richmond and all my friends and family. Shout out to the Riverside Crew! I hope the James is treating you well into the fall. Rep James.
Until next time..
No comments:
Post a Comment