We are back on the road today. Two days off in a row is too much. Today is our first taste of the Ozark Mountains. The first few miles between Farmington and Bismarck consisted of some pretty steep roads but also some poorly marked roads. Poorly marked in that most of MIssouri has \u201d76\u201d signs designating the TransAmerican route but there were parts of the road that did not. Early in the morning Greg was leading and missed a turn because it was not marked. Later in the morning Sue was leading and missed a turn because it was not marked. I have to watch the map directions and roads to make sure we stay on the correct route. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once beyond Bismarck the rollers started. The ups are getting more frequent and steeper. Some uphill gradients are more than 10% with highest seen so far at 15%. Some of the hills we are able to pick up enough momentum to make it over the next hill crest but most we are not going fast enough and we come to a thud. The road gradients quickly goes over 6 percent and all momentum is lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We make it to Ellington in relatively good time with plenty of time before sunset. Not that it matters since we are sleeping indoors at a hostel provided by the town of Ellington. The hostel is not the greatest but it works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today\u2019s stats: total mileage 66.03 miles, average speed 12.5 mph, elevation gain 3783 feet, elevation descent 4045 feet, maximum speed 39.9 mph.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We are back on the road today. Two days off in a row is too much. Today is our first taste of the Ozark Mountains. The first few miles between Farmington and Bismarck consisted of some pretty steep roads but also some poorly marked roads. Poorly marked in that most of MIssouri has \u201d76\u201d signs … <\/p>\n

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