Periodic Progress Report Southern Tier Cross-Country Bicycle Tour

Date(s): Oct. 31, 1999
Day: Sunday
From: DeRidder, LA
To: Oberlin, LA
Lodging: Curly's RV Park and Catfish Pond
Segment Mileage: 36.3
Cumulative Mileage: 2291.8
Actual Riding Time: 2:35
Average Speed: 14.0
Weather: Warm, sunny
Temp: Low 80's

After several long, hard riding days today was like a rest day; 36 flat miles with no wind. But before riding we had to have a photo session for Cyndi, Todd, and Oliver's costumes. Cyndi was a great witch, with a tall, pointed hat, fake gray hair, makeup, and a small broom sitcking out the back of the bike. Todd was the mummy, having wrapped white tape all around his body. A great outfit but painful to remove at the end of the day. Oliver's was the most trouble-free, two orange devil horns on his helmet and orange Halloween socks. Afterwards we paraded through town with motorists craning their necks to check us out. As we left the motel, and said good-bye to David, the round the world cyclist, I heard a crack as I put pressure on the pedals. I thought I had broken a spoke but the wheel still looked true, so I rode on.

We rode as a group most of the day, not wanting to get into the RV park too early. Oliver and I got a little ahead and stopped at a small store. I looked at my rear wheel and discovered 2 broken spokes. Luckily they were not on the freewheel side, so I was able to replace them and 'true' the wheel (remove the wobbles). It seems to be OK now, but I've used up my spare spokes and will have to replace them in St. Francisville. I got no sympathy from Oliver, who said it was my turn to have bike problems. He took pictures of me working on the bike instead.

Now we're all sitting around at Curly's RV Park and Catfish Pond, with Spike, Janet, Bruno, and Curly, who said he was going to take the day off to fish. They are all fishing in the catfish pond and listening to Zydeco music on the radio. Spike has landed a small one; not enough yet for dinner for the non-vegetarians. And in the picture, Matt, one of Curly's friends who had a large supply of chilled rum beverages, has landed a big one. In the camp picture you can see Olivers jumbo tent, and the trailer in the background where we all took turns taking our showers (thanks to Lynne for the 2 photos). I feel a little guilty sitting in the shade typing while Cyndi, who lost the World Series bet and is doing my cooking for me, is in town shopping with Jim, but I'll get over it. The next big event of the evening will be watching Oliver walk around with his lighted horns.