This was supposed to be a 58 mile ride south from Blytheville, AR south to Wilson, AR and then west to Marked Tree, AR. But after battling 35 MPH or better headwinds for a third day in a row, and looking at the weather for the next day and seeing that it would be a fourth consecutive day of punishing wind, I cried, “Uncle!” I shortened my ride by 30 miles and bedded down at the extraordinary The Louis hotel in Wilson, AR.
Flags during this ride looked remarkably the same as on the previous two days. The headwinds were right on my nose… again.
The shortened route got me into my hotel mid-afternoon.
I normally plan my bike tours so that I am done riding by mid-afternoon each day. I want to shower, change into normal clothes, get a decent dinner, and enjoy whatever town or campground I am in. This was the first night of this tour when I was able to do that.
All of the comments that you have written here and the emails that you have sent have been hugely uplifting. Thank you for all of your support. Even though I do not have time to reply to each of you individually, know that you are helping me get through these long hours of pedaling.
Read the rest of the blog posts in this series here: St. Louis to New Orleans
I am enjoying the daily updates, thanks. Having driven STL to Memphis and back many times for work, I am at least vaguely familiar with many of the places you mention, but you are experiencing all of it more closely than I ever did. Good for you!
All I can say is your amazing Art. You’re an example of how to live life to the fullest.
The winds and the flags, WOW. I can’t imagine riding against that. What a magnificent time to enjoy the world’s beauty. I think I’d be too scared to do something like this, alone.
Sounds like you & Mother Nature need to have a heart to heart talk. You can’t fight it. Just enjoy the experience. So happy for you. Stay well. Stay strong. Stay safe. Stay positive.
If you are going through Yazoo City MS I had some family there and know it well.
If I were within 100 miles of there (by car) I’d detour to eat at Thelma’s Kitchen and P-reaux’s Cajun Mudbugs again. Not or. And. I’d find a way to eat two lunches.
We always stayed at the Hampton Inn in Yazoo. Clean and not too expensive.
Yazoo is a pretty run down town these days but you can clearly see who lived where, particularly the area around highway 16 downtown. Big mansions and little shacks. Also, be aware that 16 from 49 to downtown Yazoo is one massive hill. You are transitioning from hill country to the delta there, hence the elevation change.
That sounds delicious but I’m afraid I’ll have to miss both places. I will be following the Mississippi River from Greenville to Vicksburg so Yazoo City will be well east of my route.
I love riding along with you. I’m learning more and more about the beauty of our country. Even though you might be a bit behind schedule, you must listen to Mother Nature and to your body. You will get to your destination. Keep the comments coming, staying connected with you is the best thing in the world!
If it was me, I would have been sorely tempted to turn around for a day just to get that tailwind. Either way, I’m glad you got in a beer at the end of the day.
I was sorely tempted!
Sometimes “headwinds” of any kind allow to be able to see things that might have been otherwise missed. I hope the next 3 days will be ones of progress along with unexpected discoveries.
Please keep the emails coming. Looking forward to the coming day’s emails.
Any day that ends in Shiner Bock is a good one.