Neither Rain Nor Hail, Etc., Etc.

Dan Pfaff and I skipped the nice weather on Saturday and rode the Hound Dog 124K permanent on Sunday. It was the first day of  May and time to ride our monthly 100K in pursuit of the RUSA P-12 award. The sky was clear when we left Springfield at 7:00. I was concerned about flooding in some of the low areas because of the recent heavy rains, so I brought a map in case we had to find a detour or two. The low-water crossing on Farm Road 178, west of Republic, did have about two inches of water flowing over it, but we had no trouble riding across it. Overflow from the pond and drainage ditch on Mill Street, east of Billings, covered all but about a foot of pavement on the crown of the road. We had a north wind that helped push us over the hills on the southbound segments.

The sky was completely overcast by the time we reached the Aurora control, and rain started to fall just as we were leaving. Soon, we were also being pelted by raindrop-size hail that pinged on my steel bike frame. The hail only fell for about 10 minutes. We made a stop in Billings for hot chocolate. We were fortunate in that the north wind stopped blowing for much of the ride north between Billings and MO Highway TT. The rain continued until we reached the control in Springfield. A good training ride for adverse weather conditions.

 Dan at the Aurora control unpacking his rain jacket

 Dan riding into Springfield

Springfield 300K Pre-ride

 Wayne Hanno, Dan Pfaff and I set out Saturday morning to pre-ride the 300K brevet scheduled for next Saturday, April 16. Wayne and Dan made it, but I was blown out by the heat and wind, mostly the heat. I tried to stay hydrated by drinking a bottle of water an hour on the bike plus what I could at the controls. I was too dehydrated to go on by the time I made it to the Pierce City control. The temperature got up to 86 degrees, although it never seemed that hot because the wind caused the sweat to evaporate immediately. I was encrusted with salt by the time I quit, and I weighed six pounds less than when I started that morning. It probably also did not help that I have not been riding much because I was sick for a week in late March. The heat has been a recurring problem for me, particularly when I don't have time to acclimatize. The weekend before we were bundled up at the start of the ride. In contrast, I started this ride in just my shorts, short-sleeve jersey and cap. My loving wife drove out and picked me up.

Wayne heading out with SW Power Plant on the horizon














MO 96 at sunrise (Historic Route 66 on the left)

Historic Route 66 at Spencer, MO














Control at Jasper, MO














Late in the day heading east on my own

Marionville White Squirrel

James Doggett, Wayne Hanno, Dan Pfaff and I rode the Hound Dog 124K to Aurora on Saturday. It was the best weather we have had for a ride this year. It started out a little chilly, but with clear skies it warmed up quickly. There was not much wind outbound, but it pickup out of the West-NW on the way back so we got a little push. The highlight of the trip was the white squirrel we saw in Marionville. Wayne almost ran over it when it raced across the street into the woods. We have ridden through Marionville so many times I was beginning to think the white squirrels were just a myth. Unfortunately, it happened so fast I did not get a picture.

The Southwest Missouri 300K brevet is April 16. There is information on the Southwest Missouri Randonneuring web site. Hope to see you there.

 Wayne & Dan East of Marionville

Marshfield Mash 112K Permanent

I rode this permanent today with Wayne Hanno and Cliff Jacobs. The day started out a little cool, but it warmed up nicely. We had a tailwind most of the way back and saw a number of other riders taking advantage of the warm weather. Next Sunday, March 20, is the 200K brevet in Springfield. More info on my web site.

Trains outside Rogersville

 Wayne, Cliff and Ralph in Marshfield

Bolton's 115K Permanent

On Saturday, Wayne Hanno, Brian Hawkins, Dave Nelson and I were the first to ride the Bolton's 115K permanent. The route heads northeast out of Springfield to Fair Grove and then directly west on Highways CC and BB to Bolton's General Store, which is located about 6 miles east of Walnut Grove. The route between Fair Grove and Bolton's is on the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail. We had a South to SE wind that gave us a good push to Fair Grove. Highways CC and BB were continuous hills and dogs. Even with the slight head wind, we returned in about the same time as outbound.

All photos by Dave Nelson.

Racing past Fellows Lake

 Sometimes it pays to check the map














Downtown Fair Grove
Odd Fellows Cafe is good for breakfast or a beer














At Bolton's looking like desperadoes waiting 
for a train (Ralph, Wayne, Dave & Brian)













Recharging back at the Fast & Friendly in Springfield

The Rigors of Winter Randonneuring

Dan Pfaff and I rode Route 66 & Cooky's Pie 205K on Saturday. The sun was just coming up when I left the house. It was still a cold 18 degrees. We left Autotronics at 7:00 hoping that the roads would be clear of ice and snow.

The roads were clear until we reached Paris Springs on Old Route 66. We ended up walking at least a half mile between Paris Springs and where we crossed MO 96 west of Spencer. We also ran into a few spots between M Highway and Miller. We were about an hour behind when we reached the control in Miller. We made good time to Golden City because we had a south to SW wind to push us along.

We were hoping the wind would stay out of the SW when we headed back so we would get a push on the east legs, but it moved back to the south and picked up to 13-15 mph. There is a pit bull east of Miller that was running loose. Last time he was loose, he barked at us but stayed in his yard. This time he was in the middle of the road as we approached. We dismounted and kept our bikes between him and us. I sprayed him in the face with Halt!, but it just seem to make him madder. When we were past his property, he lost interest.

Fortunately, the snow and ice we encountered out bound was pretty much gone on the way back. We got back in the dark just before 19:00. Slower than usual, but a successful ride. This gives both Dan and I eight months towards the RUSA R-12 award.

Heading out














Paris Springs














Ducks














Frozen creek














Historic Route 66 at Spencer














Golden City














Cooky's














Flatlands














Llamas enjoying the warming weather













Only 20 more miles

Willy B's

On Saturday, Doug, Rae, Tom, Steve and I took advantage of the beautiful weather and rode to Ash Grove. As we passed north of the airport, several deer crossed the road in front of us. One of the deer decided jumping over the fence onto the road was not a good idea and crawled under the fence instead. We ate a late breakfast at Willy B's in Ash Grove. In Willard, we jumped on the Frisco Highline Trail and rode it back to Springfield. The trail is now paved from Springfield to just north of Willard.

Deer crossing














Willy B's














Frisco Highline Trail