Days 24-30

Sep 23, 2010:

Florence, KS to Freedonia, KS

Today we got started and immediately rode into headwinds then spent the first 37 miles of the ride in 35 MPH headwinds. Following this we ate lunch in El Dorado and finally turned out of the winds by taking HWY 400 east. Then it was another 61 miles to our destination of Freedonia, KS where we were able to camp in another park and actually take free showers.

Sep. 24th, 2010:

Freedonia, KS to Outside Joplin, MO

Today we rode a good ways! The day started out easy enough then we had two flat tires. We had lunch in Parsons, KS and shortly after lunch Alex crashed to the ground while trying to swat away the onslaught of grasshopers. He was okay so we continued on, only to get another flat seven miles from Joplin, MO. After entering Joplin, MO the siun immediately set and we became lost trying to find the KOA. Ultimately we reached the KOA at 9:00 P.M.. We got showers, did laundry, dried the tent fly from the previous night, and finally ate dinner at 11:00. A tough day.

Sep. 25th, 2010:

Joplin, MO to Shell Knob, MO

Today we got a later start as we needed to find directions to our destination. Nevertheless, we got on the road and rode through a lot of small places with constant hills. Then it seems that people in MO actually hate cyclists - we have had more people yelling curses at us or giving us the bird than anywhere else we’ve ridden on this trip or previous ones. After reaching our destination for the day, we found out there was nowhere we were allowed to camp. We picked a place totally not private and kind of sketchy. Anyway it all turned out well, nobody bothered us and we didnt have to deal with the sheriff at two in the morning.

September 26th, 2010

Shell Knob, MO to Marshall, AR

Today we rode out of MO and into Arkansas the day was mainly spent going up and down hills on roads that had minimal shoulders, and were fairly busy. We made it safe and no one cursed at us or threw anything. Then towards the end of the day Matt saw a deer get hit by a car and was astonished by the scene. Tonight we are staying in a city park with no showers which is sad, but at least the camping is free!

September 27th, 2010

Marshall AR to Beebe, AR

Today we finally realized that we were crossing through the ozarks and completed a few 2,000 foot climbs in elevation to go along with it. The milage was a bit shorter. We went through some interesting forests and towns. Tonight we reached our destination by 5:30 pm.. but there again was nowhere we could  legitimately camp so we found the city park and waited til dark and for all the kids to leave to pitch our tent. Another sketchy spot but it will have to do. Oh yeah, we had two more flats today and one yesterday.

September 28th, 2010 Beebe, AR to West Helena

Today we rode a good ways almost to the end of Arkansas. The ride was primarily flat but we were still on the bikes untill about 7:00 pm.  We had two flat tires today so we’re now down to two spares and hope we find a bike store in MS tomorrow. The weather was good, hot but not as bad as it has been in the past. Tonight we’re even staying in a place we’re allowed to camp , our 5th day in a row with water spigot showers and had some Old Rasputin Imperial Stout to top it off.

September 29th 2010 West Helena to Oxford MS

Today we crossed the AR/ MS border and the muddy water of the Mississippi. We rode south on Hwy 315 to Sardis, where we had lunch. After lunch we had another flat tire but fixed it and got back on the road. We rode by the Sardis lake and campgrounds and continued on to Oxford, MS, home of Mississippi University and the Oxford Bicycling Company where we stocked up on tubes, got a new back tire for Alex, and met a guy named Andy who invited us to stay at his place. Finally some southern hospitality!