STL2NOLA 03 – Cape Girardeau, MO to Sikeston, MO

After two long hard days, I got an easier one. Riding from Cape Girardeau to Sikeston was only 47 miles and had way fewer hills to climb. My Garmin clocked the steepest grade at 20.6% but don’t believe that. During that climb, the grade number was jumping all over the place, varying wildly from single digits to the high teens and, apparently, 20.6. I did have one short hill that was 13% and I managed to pedal to the top of it (puff pant). I could not do a 20% grade, especially hauling 35 lbs. of gear plus a couple quarts of water.

I got to pedal through a very tony neighborhood with beautiful trees on the southwest side of Cape Girardeau.

From there it was mostly flat industrial farmland for many miles. I got bored so I took a picture of my bike computer. This is what I stare at when the scenery is boring.

It is telling me that I have 41.15 miles to go that I have ridden 5..10 (and should get back to pedaling), has a little graph of my heartrate, estimates my time to destination as 3:10:42 (hah! I would only achieve that if I did not slow down for hills or take any breaks), reminds me that I have only been at it for 23 minutes (and should get back to pedaling), notes that my speed has dropped to 8.7 MPH (because I stopped pedaling to take pictures), and tells me that it is 9:40am (and time is a-wasting so get back to pedaling). Who needs Mom when you can have an electronic friend like this? The computer also has other handy features, like a map and telling me in advance of climbs so that I can pace myself.

You can also see my shoes strapped to the front fork. They were pretty wet so I was riding in sandals which is actually super comfortable for a long day.

Even though I was riding through flat farmland, there were still pretty bridges to cross.

I knew that I was making progress when I was almost ready to Advance.

Next up was climbing into the last hills that I will see until I get to Memphis. This is where I found the 13% grade. But once up there, it was so worth the effort. Pretty and full of birds. If it was not so far from everyone I know and everything I like to do, I could love living in a place like this.

I grabbed lunch at Yvonne’s in Benton, MO. Without a doubt, that sandwich had the most meat in it that I have ever had in a sub. I got my protein for the day right there, fer sher. Then I made a quick stop for a selfie at Boomland. I have driven by many times. It was time to stop. I note that Boomland opened in a particularly auspicious year.

I am still terrible at navigation, even with a GPS bike computer. Here I am in Hawaii.

I found a cool playground. My bicycle insisted on spending some time with its wheeled cousin.

From there it was less than 20 miles of flat riding to the end. Just north of Diehlstadt, MO, I saw a large dark bird on the side of the road way ahead of me. As I got closer, I started to think that maybe it had a white head. When I was about 50 yards away, it decided that I was a threat and a full grown bald eagle lofted, circled to my right, and swept past giving me a great view. It landed in a nearby tree and, I presume, returned to its dead possum feast after I was gone.

Diehlstadt was also the place where I parked my butt for a few minutes for a snack. Did you know that you can get double-chocolate Hostess Donettes? I did not until I opened the package that I had bought back in Benton, expecting regular cake inside that special waxy chocolate. I was in absolute heaven when I found chocolate cake!

I was checked into my hotel in Sikeston and showered by 4:00. I actually had time for a nap. Then it was Lambert’s Cafe for a throwed roll and dinner.

You can find the rest of the posts about this bike tour here, St. Louis to New Orleans.