From a planning perspective, the only possible problem was finding breakfast in the town of Lowden. There would be no services for 33 miles, so having a good breakfast would make the day go better.
The innkeeper last night indicated that the bar served breakfast, but they were not open. I looked in the book she put together about the area, and, sure enough, there was the Cozy Cafe a block down the street. Walking to the cafe, at 7 AM, it was already warming up. The bank sign had the temperature at 77 degrees already. The humidity was high because of yesterday's rain. Ah, here is the cafe!
It is permanently closed . But wait, I see between some buildings across the street, what looks like a convenience store on the next block. That must be what the innkeeper was referring to. So I saddled up my steed, and rode to the store.
This isn't a store! It is a fuel depot. Ah, but there is a gas station/convenience store down by the next corner. It was permanently closed. Ah, there is a cafe next door! Closed.
I had a Danish pastry and a banana to get me 33 miles. I ate the pastry and held the banana in reserve.
The comments on the map said that the terrain got flatter as one approached Muscatine. I was looking forward to a fast ride, on relatively flat roads, getting to Muscatine by lunch time. So far it was not flatter, and I was encountering a pretty good headwind, 10 to 20 mph. Up and down hills, trying to stay consistent in pedalling cadence, regardless of the bike speed. I had reported two days ago that yesterday was going to be hot. Wrong. Yesterday was rainy. Today would be the hot one, and it was feeling like it.
Already I was pondering the potential need to knock on someone's door, asking to replenish my water bottle. I try not to ration out the water I have, but drink it as I go, reaching my destination having emptied the water bottle, regardless of how many times I had replenished it.
The next town, Bennett, was large enough to have a post office and school, but no place for food. Wait a minute! What is that ahead? It is convenience store! That wasn't on my map! I ate breakfast, refilled my water bottle, and took off. Isn't it funny how things work out? Thank you, Lord.
Pedalling was slow but steady. Lots and lots of perspiration. At last, a sign announcing Muscatine. It was noon. It took 4 hours and 15 minutes to go 38 miles, including stops. My clothing, which was soaked yesterday from the rain, then dry this morning, was soaked again.
This stop was to accomplish several things: Get the bicycle tuned up; Rest, rest rest. I have to admit that the legs were weaker than normal today. They felt, at 38 miles, how they typically feel at 65-70 miles. A day of rest is needed.
Tonight we are expecting severe thunderstorms, and also tomorrow night. Hopefully there will be enough calm weather for me to get a haircut.
I had mentioned the other day that the brakes were failing. Yesterday, it took me over 150 feet to come to a stop when I had been going 20 mph. So imagine how good I feel now with new brake pads. It can stop on a dime.
One last thing for today, I am officially over the half way point, mileage-wise and day-wise. This is the 42nd day since leaving, and I estimated a 82 day trip, more or less. And the odometer passed 2,300 miles, of an estimated 4,500 miles (I would be pleased if it were less.)
No riding tomorrow, but I will give an update on a few items.
God bless you.
