Date(s): Nov. 2, 1999
Day: Tuesday
From: Washington, LA
To: Simmesport, LA
Lodging: Simmesport community center
Segment Mileage: 58.9
Cumulative Mileage: 2510.9
Actual Riding Time: 5:19
Average Speed: 11.0
Weather: Cool, windy
Temp: 60's
We awoke to a strong wind coming from the north, and rode into it for most of the day. Oliver and Jimmy headed off on their New Orleans adventure while the rest of us headed to Simmesport, LA. Breakfast was early, at 6am, due to the time change. I slept in and was feeling lazy until I realized that it was only 6:30.
Much of the route passed through sugar cane fields that appeared to be ready for harvest. They're grown on mounded rows, and when mature the stalks reach 8-10 ft. It was hard though to notice anything but the wind that howled in my ears. Average speed into the wind was about 8mph, the same speed I ride when climbing a moderate hill. Outside of Lebeau, we hit road construction. A flagman was directing traffic over a short section of the road. He waved me over and asked if I would carry a plastic bag with 2 or 3 pecans to the flagman at the other end, my first job as a pecan courier.
Pecan trees are everywhere, and everyone seems to be out picking them from their yards. Stores have signs announcing that they buy pecans, so individuals can easily sell the nuts they collect. Today was a good day to pick, as the wind shook many nuts from the trees. I stopped several times to load up my front panniers, and feasted on them back at camp.
After Lebeau, Suzanne caught up with me as I was taking a break, and we rode together into Plaucheville, just behind Bob. At the store Bob was talking to the second cyclist we've encountered riding the same route E-W. He was Cyril from California, who works for Backroads bike tours in the summer. After exchanging route info he left, his BOB trailer carrying only half of what Oliver carries in his. It's too bad Oliver wasn't there to compare BOB trailer stories. As Cyril left, Spike appeared with a bag full of Mardi Gras beads, handing each of us our own string. Some of us wore them for the rest of the ride.
After Moreau we headed SE and the wind was at our backs, making for
a quick ride into Simmesport, where we stopped at Ira's hardware store
to ask the mayor where the community center was located, as he was the
one allowing us to stay here tonight. Unfortunately we won't be having
"doughboys" tonight, a campfire treat introduced by Cyndi last
night. 
A doughboy consists of dinner roll
mix wrapped around a stick and cooked in the fire, then filled with
butter and jelly. After our instructions from Cyndi we cooked them
with various levels of success, and they were delicious. (Thanks again
to Lynne for the photo of Suzanne and me cooking doughboys at Willie's
Washington Campground)
Right now I'm sitting in front of the community center talking to Malcolm, a 10 year old who lives across the street. He's telling me about his special pecan picking places and that he gets $5 for a bag for them. I'm encouraging him to keep riding his bike instead of getting the go cart that he keeps talking about. He says his class uses the Internet so I gave him the URL for these reports. Tomorrow is a short day of 50 miles to St. Francisville, LA, then we get a much anticipated rest day.
Previous Next