I slept in until about 8:30 and then got up and started breaking down camp. For some reason, my throat felt scratchy when I woke up and it persisted throughout the day. Kay and Lee got up around nine and she made a nice breakfast of bacon and eggs. After we said our goodbyes, Kay hooked me up with two pbj sandwiches, and I was on my way.
Today was one long ride on the same highway fighting a headwind. There was little to break up the task, and I just had to keep chugging along. Luckily there were no mechanical problems though.
As I made my final press toward the city of Perry, the sky got dark and I could tell rain was immanent. I got my tent set up just in time before the downpour started. I was able to stash my bike and clothes in a nearby unlocked semipermanent kitchen of some sort, although I’m worried they’ll make me pay some outrageous amount for it. The rain is always a mood killer, and the mosquitos didn’t help.
A warm shower did help, but as I went to get dressed afterward I found that all of my clothes were damp. I stood in the shower air drying and letting my clothes do likewise for about half an hour after I was done, and then walked through the rain for a shelter house to write this post. That only lasted a few minutes before the mosquitos drove me away, and I didn’t want to put on the deet because I’ll be going to bed soon. Luckily the clubhouse was open, so I’m swyping from there.
All things considered, this was a discouraging day in many ways, but there are also several positives.
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No mechanical problems. This is huge! This is the second straight day with no breakdowns.
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It was my longest day, and I pressed through despite getting a somewhat late start and fighting wind.
Here’s hoping my tent isn’t soaked when I get back to it. That would be positive number 3.
Daily distance: 182.51km Average speed: 22.7km/h Trip odometer: 973km
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