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DAY 8

Tailwinds!! Tailwinds!! I can't believe it! Tailwinds!!

ROUTE: Keokuk IA to Hannibal MO	DISTANCE: 64 miles	WINDS: Light out of the north!!! Finally!
WEATHER: Sunny, 78 high, 55 low	TERRAIN: Mostly flat	TOTAL CLIMBING: 2300 feet...but I don't know where.

RIDE OVERVIEW: Finally we got some favorable winds...it's about time. I never saw so many smiles as everyone looked outside to see the motel flags pointing down route. We've been a weather pattern ever since we left Minneapolis that's produced southerly winds everyday so far and the riders are getting beat up a bit. They better enjoy it today because tomorrow's long ride is forecast to have SW winds again. Somehow we've got to get the S out of the wind forecast! This ride may earn the title of "Into The Winds."

It was really nice to sleep in this morning. Even with getting to bed earlier than ever before and the late load, I could still hardly climb out of bed this morning and I think Barb and Karen were having a bit of the punys too. Everyone was out with their luggage lurking like vultures over a dead carcass and I barely got the doors open before they were shoving luggage at me (right). I have to load the van in a particular manner with so many people on this trip...space is a premium. The big bags go on the bottom. I think a couple of people must have brought all their household belongings on this trip as it takes all the staff can muster to wrestle them into the van. Their bags have a special place and I have to load all the others around their spots. I need for them to see Marilyn's bags which would give them an example to follow. She only bought two small bags that are light...or maybe she put most of her stuff in Cynthia's bag...hmmmm. There are a couple of other riders who brought almost nothing...they are my heroes!

I was still loading the last bag when I looked up and everyone was gone...poof, all gone. It didn't take them long to get going this morning in spite of all the motel flats and minor mechanical problems that usually pop up. I guess they were getting antsy with the late departure. Just wait until we go to Hernando, it's only a 37 mile day...I'm not going to let them load until 9! That will stress them out a bit. :-)

Our route departed town over the bridge into Illinois on Hwy 96 for 4 miles where we started riding on smooth blacktop country roads for the next 36 miles. The terrain today was pretty tame. We had a couple of hills in the first 4 miles, but after that, practically nothing...actually, our biggest hill today was down! At about 18 miles into the ride, we descended off the bluff down to the river plain (right). Who ever planned that road was a bit sadistic especially for a cyclist's point of view. It was about a 12% descent with a stop sign still on the slope. It didn't level out until the road crossing in front of us. Luckily, there was a 10 foot ditch on the other side of that road so if they lost control on the descent, they would fall into the ditch if they made it across the road without getting hit by a truck. The ditch would prevent them from riding off into the river. I didn't see any skid marks leading to the ditch when I got there and we accounted for everyone by the SAG so everyone did a good job negotiating that hazard.

After the descent, as you can see to the left, it was about as flat as you could get for the next 35 miles into Hannibal. It was so flat I heard a couple of riders remark at the SAG that they could use a bit of a hill to use some different muscles...there's hope for some of them yet! I always get blamed for sending them onto the hilliest roads I could find.

Our SAG today was in Quincy about a block from where we used to cross the river on one of our cross country rides. This ride doesn't cross these bridges but we can see them as we skirt the river on our trek southward. The photo below right is the bridge leading out of Quincy. With the fall flowers blooming, it made for a nice photo don't you think?

Everyone was in good spirits as they got to the SAG. The beautiful weather and the tailwinds made for a nice leisurely ride in preparation for tomorrow's tough ride into St Charles. Several locals stopped by to see what we were up to. Our SAG was in a public park on the outskirts of Quincy and with such a sunny day, there were lots of people milling in the area.

Talking to the locals, we determined they were as happy to see the sunshine today as we were. As we neared Hannibal, you could see the results of the past week's heavy rains. Every ditch and low spot in the fields were overflowing with water and it looked like it was going to be awhile before it dried out enough to start thinking about the upcoming harvest. I guess the farmers, a bit like us, depend on the weather...good weather and it's a good day to work...for us, good weather is a good day to ride. Come to think of it, we'll ride anyway.

Everyone got in town by 2:00 and most spent the afternoon in downtown Hannibal sightseeing. Hannibal MO was founded in 1818 as a result of land grants after the New Madrid earthquake in 1811 and is known worldwide as the boyhood home of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain). The small town life along the river left a lasting impression on Mr Clemens and served as the basis of most of his writing. The name "Mark Twain" meant two fathoms (12 feet) when sounding the depth of water for a boat...the accepted depth for safe navigation.* Present day Hannibal is full of museums, scenic caves, and historical areas to take up all our afternoon free time. They've also developed a beautiful riverfront to draw tourists to the area. If you are ever in the area, it's a small town worth taking the time to see.

Tomorrow we ride to St Charles. It will be another century and we expect good weather but unfavorable winds...of course, I'm riding. It will be a tough day, but for now, everyone is taking time to lounge at the pool and rest for the challenge. The shortish, relatively easy day today will help them prepare for tomorrow. So from all of us and Clark and John below right, See you then.

LIFE ON THE ROAD: This actually happened yesterday and I forgot to report it.
"Riiiiing."
Barbara, "Hello."
"Hey Barbara, glad I got you my cell phone signal isn't too good. This is Stephen M. and I'm lost!"
"Lost? Where are you?"
"If I knew that, I wouldn't be calling!"
"Oh yeah. Look at your map and find your way to Nauvoo."
"I would, but my eyes are too old to read the small print...anyway it's raining and my map has melted."
"Hello, hello, can you hear me now?"
Luckily, Stephen was able to get a local to take pity on him and direct him to the only town Stephen could remember he was supposed to ride to. Lucky for Stephen, it wasn't a town behind him. Hey, no one said riding on a long distance bike ride wouldn't be exciting...lots of challenges and adventures.

LIFE ON THE ROAD TODAY: Cyclists have the attitude that they should never carry any extra weight. Today, in Karen's bike bag, we found an emergency space blanket, wet matches, an expired coupon...and picture hangers...PICTURE HANGERS!!! I guess they would come in handy if she came upon someone on the road that needed to hang a picture on a tree or fence post. Be prepared I always say.

HEARD ON THE ROAD TODAY: "Breaking a banana in half is the best thing I've ever learned on a bike ride."

Nancy: "Wouldn't you like to know what the staff is talking about when we're not around?"
Steve: "Don't think so."

"I like these loose fitting bike shorts, but on the recumbent, I seem to collect a lot of bugs up my legs."

"We must be going in the wrong direction, the winds behind us!"

"I liked that road so much, I'd like to ride it again!" "Call white and see if he'd haul me back to the hill." Upon which I suggested he ride back to the hill and he could get the experience from both directions..."I think I'll just go on to Hannibal."

PHOTOS OF THE DAY
The resident at this house may think he's being cute by putting this "flood mail" mailbox on top of a flood gauge, but it's not so funny since they've had enough rain lately for it to get some use.	His neighbor was a bit more practical, he put his house on top of the pedestal. Guess he figured he wouldn't need to worry about his mail if his house was was caught in a flood and was 40 miles down river. This guy told us his floor is only 1 foot above the flood plain. Hope he doesn't sleep walk.
Someone said Buzz's mother must have dressed him this morning (before I could get my camera out, he'd taken off the knee warmers)...personally, I think his mother would never have sent him out like this.	I got called back to the SAG today to inspect Don's wheel. All this riding in the rain had dried out his rear wheel bearings...mechanic to the rescue. Here, this square bearing may be a little rough but it should be ok.
David, Jack, and Scott enjoy the sunny afternoon along the river and take some time to snack down at the SAG. It was nice to be able to not carry rain gear today...makes the bananas taste better too.	England John and Rob discuss the all the possibilities for the miles and miles of corn they've been passing. Pretty soon, they'll be trying to figure out what to do with all the cotton when they get to Mississippi.

* Information from Hannibal Points of Interest from the Hannibal Inn Motel.