Day 60: Ash Grove

Distance: 62 avg: 12.2

Missouri is pretty exciting so far! I’ve been enjoying the hills, which are very dramatic. And not to be outdone by yesterday’s weather, nature kicked it up a notch.

After a hot, sweaty ride, nothing feels as good as being doused in big cold drops of rain. I could have put on some rain gear, but i was smiling like the village idiot as I pedaled through a torrential downpour.

My how times change, but the weather still changes faster. After enjoying riding the skirt of the storm for a couple hours i had a coffee and it was back to crazy heat.

I was headed towards Fairgrove, but met a couple Swedish cyclists who told me there was an 8 mile detour. That would put me right at 100 miles, which was too risky in the heat.

I turned around and headed back to Ash Grove with the Swedes. This was probably a very wise move. Not a minute after we arrived did black clouds move in. It was still super hot, and my phone’s screen started going white! The phone was dying in the heat. I quickly shut it off.

To our happiness, a police officer allowed us to stay in the park’s community center. We had a kitchen, air conditioning, and tons of room. We bought some groceries and made some awesome burritos. The swedes are both very nice and interesting people. They work in an opera house in Göteborg, Sweden. Their names are Marcus and Pat.

I can’t get over how I went from superhot to thunderstorm to iPhone-breaking hot to thunderstorm again. Within one afternoon!

My rashes and bumps seem to be about the same as yesterday. I itch, it sucks. I’m thinking I might need to take a rest day soon to let myself heal up. I’m probably not doing myself any favors biking sogging wet through thunderstorms. I’ve stopped wearing my leggings and sleeves and I hope that will help alleviate the bumps on my arms and legs. My torso is itchy but I hope this night indoors will help me heal faster.