The morning started with a leisurely breakfast with Wes. Once that was done and we said our thank you’s and good byes we were off. Meanwhile we discovered that Greg had passed us and Billy was on his way up the hill when we re-entered the highway. In Houston we were back together again and on the road. The next miles were not too hilly, not too hot, and not humid, but it was a long distance between supplies. We were lucky enough to get bottles of water from the new owners of the convenience store in Bendavis as they were closed and we needed them. The next stop for nourishment and liquids was Hartsville.
We made it there around 1 pm and stopped at a store to get supplies. After many minutes, Bill, the straggler, arrived and said that he could go no further. There were a few campgrounds where he could stay. However, after many moments of silence and when Sue, Greg and I were going to push on to Marshfield Billy was getting on his bike to join us.
The trip between Hartville and Marshfield was not too hilly and not too much traffic. It was a good ride. The past two days of riding in the Ozarks are not what I remember from last year. Last year it seemed to be up and down repeatedly for 3 days. We only had 1/2 a day of that this year. Maybe it is easier going to east to west versus west to east but most likely it is because it is much cooler and there is no humidity.
Today’s stats: total mileage 67.8 miles; average speed 12.4 mph; elevation gain 4022 feet; elevation descent 3681 feet; maximum speed 39.5 mph.