Another day in the Ozarks. Another day of heat, humidity and hills. The heat and humidity was not as great as the previous day but the hills were more. Many more ups and downs. Today was a day of very little flat ground. It was either all up or all down. It seemed more up and than down and I definitely spent more time going to up over down. Incredible steep grades with the steepest incline at 12%. I typical incline was 9 to 11%. I remember going through the mountains in the west thinking that 7% was steep. That is pretty normal in Missouri. An incline of 2% seems like a flat road now. It is incredible how I have adjusted to the hills. But they are still hard and difficult and somewhat dangerous.
For the most part the roads are narrow with no shoulders. Even on the inclines. Often vehicle drivers wait for me to crest the hill before they pass because they can’t see what is coming. The drivers in Missouri have been the absolute best. Patient and courteous. They give me a lot of space when they pass and don’t seem to be in too much of a hurry. It is Missouri after all, what is the rush.
In Hutchinson, KS I sent back to Silver Spring my cold weather gear and equipment that was not being used. I have replaced with it additional liquids. When I left Portland I started with 3 26 ounce water bottles attached to my bike. In Dillion, CO I added a 32 ounce hydro flask to keep water cooler longer. Outside of Hutchinson I added 2 and sometimes 3, 32 ounce Gatorade containers that have frozen water or Gatorade in them. At times I still feel like I need more liquid, in particular cold liquids. Hot water in a plastic container just does not cut it.
So with all the ups and downs and temperatures sometimes over 100 and humidity very high I never felt like there was enough liquid for me to consume. I stopped in a small town called Bendavis, MO and the owner of the small store told me of the swimming hole outside of Houston. Houston was my final destination for the day. I found the swimming hole and joined the locals to cool off. The water felt warm but it was still refreshing. Once my body temperature was down it was back on the back for the final climb into Houston.
Today’s stats: total mileage 66.21; average speed 12.0 mph; maximum speed 36.6 mph; elevation gain 3520 feet; elevation descent 3704 feet.