

We were delightfully gifted at breakfast with a re-routing that would cut off 9.5 miles of today’s miles. No one complained.
To my surprise
We crossed the Arkansas River which had a remarkably long bridge but that crossing had no impact on me compared to the crossing of the
We are overnighting in the Isle of Capri Casino. It’s the only option around. Quite a sad commentary to see all these people glued to their chairs playing the slots, or whatever you call them. Many were obese; many were senior citizens; many were amputees, or on oxygen, or using canes or walkers, or motorized scooters. The clankety-clank of the machines was oppressive.Of course you had to walk through the casino to get to the restaurant. And then there were the signs all around that read: “Winners know when to quit.”
Tomorrow we’re heading to
Everyone had read the route card for today and those who had ridden the route before were freely sharing their experiences of the endless steep grades hill after hill. Most were wondering if they had what it would take to get to Mena. I had made a decision days before that I was not going to ride those 50 miles with the 13-15% grade, that I would SAG through that section. Then, last night Lon suggested I ride the valley route (Rt. 63) that was virtually flat (3,500’ of climbing vs the 7,250 along the top of the ridge). That sounded like a winner so I recruited Dana M., one of the other recumbent riders, to join me. We went ‘off SAG’ after the 2nd rest stop at mile 51.5.
Our ride was a thoroughly enjoyable one, in some ways one of the best. The weather was perfect—blue skies (again); mid-upper 70’s; good road surface; enough hills to make it interesting but not so many as to do us in; and minimal traffic. Those conditions afforded us the opportunity to take in the beauty of the Ozarks that surrounded us the entire route and the bucolic pastures with cows contentedly grazing instead of being penned in concentrated feed lots. Dana and I were good company for one another; acknowledged our entry into a new state with a picture at the Arkansas border (Did you know that Arkansas is the Nature State?); and continued to note that the most frequent road markings in these rural areas are for cemeteries and “school bus stop ahead.” I’d love to know how far these kids have to come just to get TO the bus stop and then how far they have to go to get to school.
Since we would be passing through several little towns on the way to Mena we expected to find some mini-marts, but alas there was only one gas station the entire 60 miles. We made it our lunch stop at mile 77. Susan Notorangelo had provided us with some tuna/cracker snacks and we had cached a small stash from the van just before we went ‘off SAG.’ Good thing because that gas station featured only hunting knives, ammo, bandanas, and huge cans of baked beans. I asked a guy on a motorcycle who was gassing up what the need was for such knives. He said, “We all carry knives or guns. You know, if you’re baling hay you need to cut some rope.” So way out of my life experience, for sure
The folks I talked with who came in before I went to dinner reported it was a great day on the ridge. I haven’t talked with the folks who came in toward the end of the group.
Tomorrow is our shortest day yet—89 miles—to Arkadelphia.
Departure: 7:32 a.m.
Arrival: 3:05 p.m.Once again the weather gods smiled upon us. Blue skies, some sun and a lot of cloud cover. We seem to be traveling in this protected pocket of fair weather while the wily weather of the transitional season swirls around us.
That we were still in a staunch Republican territory was also oh, so apparent by the signage along the road, e.g. “President Bush is a Christian; follow my commander.” And the house trailer across the street from the President Bush sign with a Confederate flag hanging in the window.
Tomorrow is the dreaded day—111 miles with 10,000’ of climbing in 50 miles. The motel van will not travel the canyon, nor do trucks. Too steep. 13%-15% grade for 50 miles. I guess you could say I’m a wh00se (sp?). I’m going off SAG and taking a flat route around the canyon. Why blow out my knees and compromise immune system for a few hills. Makes sense to me.
States/Countries Represented On The Southern | ||||
AK | 2 | | NC | 1 |
AUS | 3 | | NE | 1 |
CA | 5 | | MJ | 1 |
CAN | 1 | | NY | 6 |
FL | 1 | | OH | 3 |
GA | 1 | | PA | 2 |
IA | 1 | | RI | 3 |
IL | 2 | | Swiz | 1 |
IN | 2 | | TX | 3 |
KS | 2 | | | 1 |
KY | 2 | | WA | 4 |
MI | 2 | | WI | 5 |
MN | 1 | | | |
Gender/Age Breakdown | |||||
Women | | Men | | ||
35-39 | 1 | 35-39 | | 20-24 | 1 |
40-44 | 2 | 40-44 | | 30-34 | 1 |
45-49 | 3 | 45-49 | | 35-39 | 3 |
50-54 | 3 | 50-54 | | 40-44 | 2 |
55-59 | 1 | 55-59 | | 45-49 | 9 |
60-64 | 1 | 60-64 | | 50-54 | 12 |
| | | | 55-59 | 6 |
| | | | 60-64 | 6 |