Despite not having adequate conditioning, Bev and I rode another Katy ride. This time we rode West to East. It took all day Saturday to make the drive to Missouri. Then most of another day to ride the shuttle to Clinton. Then Monday we began our cross state ride with two days of about 40 miles each and high's in the 80's. One day even had a pleasant breeze with cloudy skies. Then the long day from Boonville to Mokane really was hot with heat indices of 104 and a really tiring day. The fourth day wasn't a lot better with 50 miles of hot mostly open trail and two flats. But we made it. My behind was a mass of abraded pain. It was a lot to deal with. But with determination, we made it to the end of 50 miles. That night our campsite would be be pummeled with storms. I went to get the van which led to the now infamous skunk story. Typical of our vacations I'd say. Then with rain on the increase, we left for home. But 2 hours down the road, it was sunny so we zigged toward Tunnel Hill Trail and did 20 more miles. We met lots of nice folks. Bev came through the ride without an incident so I think she is ready for her own bike again.
I always try to help Rachael with Hubbard/Rockford if asked. They had me down for 3 days but at last minute asked for the other day. Work at Rockford is slow so working isn't hard, but not following my usual routine tired me out a bit. I still had some work I could take care of up in Cullman. Some bushhog work and other little items but the high temps held me back a bit. I did ride my bike a little and got in some of my walking in addition to some chores. Max needed to be delivered to Charlotte, SC for his drum major camp. I volunteered to take him. I was glad to be able to perform this chore for him but the long trip up and back combined with extra heavy traffic in the Atlanta are, which extended to within 30 miles of Alabama, combined to really tire me out. There had been a problem with my left rear wisdom tooth for over a year, so I decided I should get it taken care of before I wound up isolated somewhere in PEI. The extraction didn't appear to be problematic until just be...