Saturday 6 June 2009

I believe in a place called Hope

Day 62, Stage 41- Mena to Hope
110 miles in 8hrs 30mins (incl. two punctures but only a brief few
muffin stops)
Total Distance - 3,529 miles
It hadn't been a bad dream, it had really happened. I still couldn't believe it when I finally woke this morning. No beer! Understandably, I was happy to be moving on this morning, albeit a couple of hours later than planned - yesterday had obviously tired me out more than I thought.

It was near perfect conditions as I set out; around 25C with no wind and not a cloud in the sky, and things essentially stayed that way all day. Things weren't quite as quick as I was expecting as the stages was filled with a lot more 50-100ft climb/descent stints than I'd expected. It also included one totally unexpected wall-like 200ft climb into Umpire that almost became the first hill all trip to get me off my bike and pushing. But, with a struggle, I made it. Scenery-wise, it was just like being back in Washington again with quiet roads winding through trees, lots of trees, and where there's trees there's logging trucks. Lots of logging trucks.

The trees gave way to lush dairy pasture in the latter miles, which then gave way to caravans - thousands and thousands and thousands of FEMA caravans and mobile homes just outside Hope. Quite a surreal sight.

I finally arrived in Hope around six and headed straight for the various Bill Clinton houses and sights dotted around town. Love him or hate him you can't help but be amazed and inspired that he got where he did given how and where things started for him.

On a different topic, I was delighted to switch on the Weather Channel to discover that, after four weeks of chasing shadows, the Vortex 2 team today finally got themselves a major tornado to track. I think I must have been the only person watching for the past few weeks who's been wishing for them not to have anything to chase. But, now I'm out The Alley I'm more than happy if it all goes funnel-shaped.

Need to get myself some sleep now, I'm afraid, as another 110+ mile day on the cards...with a slight headwind...and 90F.