Monday, June 24, 2013

Arkansas

Clarksdale, MS to Stuttgart, AK

97 miles. I got a little lost, and ended up pulling 100.18 miles with Elaina. It was way more pleasant than the previous day, which has become known as the worst day of riding for many of us. At one point, Elaina and I were at a gas station and a driver asked us where we were headed. He said the bridge and overpass we were about to ride on is extremely dangerous, and offered to escort us. Nicest gesture a driver could give to a cyclist, and I couldn't even believe it because Boston drivers would never do such a thing. The bridge was narrow and steep, with no shoulder or sidewalk. The overpass after it was two miles long over a gorgeous state park, but still narrow and unsafe. But this driver put his hazards on and followed us at our pace the entire way across, stopping all traffic behind us. It was great to be able to enjoy the sights without having to worry about approaching cars.

Though I was feeling fine mentally, by the end of my first century I was experiencing saddle sores. Saddle sores are a fact of life for Bike & Builders, and it's a product of many long rides day after day. Riders apply chamois butter multiple times a day onto their padded shorts to help avoid saddle sores. When I rolled into the field house that we were staying in in Stuttgart, I immediately searched for ice. Not only did I find ice, I found an ice bath too! I sat in the ice bath for twenty minutes, and it was sooo nice. After that I got a sweet care package from Roxanne! Best day for my first century ride.
Welcome to Arkansas!

Stuttgart, AK to Little Rock, AK

I was in the van on this day due to saddle sores. The van was really fun and restful, and we sang songs all the way into Little Rock. It was nice to be able to see the changing scenery at such a fast pace. Our lunch was provided in a gym, so while waiting for all the riders to stop by I got to lift weights. (Crew team: My lifting this summer is completely sporadic, and only happens when I have access to a gym.) Our host site in Little Rock was a FOP - Fraternity Order of Police.

Little Rock, AK

I spent my day off doing errands, getting some alone time, writing post cards, treating myself to lunch at a cafe, and wandering the capital of Arkansas.

I came across a Juneteenth Festival. Juneteenth is an annual celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation and the abolition of slavery. The block party was right outside of an African American history museum. Little Rock is a particularly great city to celebrate Juneteenth because there is so much Civil Rights history there. For example, the Central High School is famous for it's racial integration story.
Obama's fist bump




Little Rock's big state house

Little Rock, AK to Russellville, AK

"Petit Jean Day." This ride had two major climbs, including a "hill" that is pronounced Petty Jean. It was a 93 mile day, in which I again got lost and it became a century ride. We're out of the Mississippi Delta and into the Ozarks. Alums had warned us about Petit Jean - some cried, some dry heaved, some pedaled so slow up the incline that they just fell over while on their bikes. Mind over matter. Though not as high up as a mountain, the "hill" was very steep, and Nyx and I had to stop about every 0.3 of a mile to catch our breaths.The sights at the top were just incredible, and made the tough climb worth it. I rode with Travis along the Trail of Tears until 5:30pm, when we were an hour and a half late to the host site.
One of the largest pedestrian bridges - great bike path!

Arkansas landscape

Climbed it!

In other news, waking up at 4:45am is how we roll.

Russellville, AK to Fort Smith, AK

I have a post about nutrition percolating. But for this day, let's just say it can be hard being a vegetarian on a trip where the locals provide your meals, and the locals don't do veg. It's also difficult to consume the amount of calories that we need to fuel ourselves for the day. Stuffing our faces as frequently as we do often feels like a chore. Breakfast this morning: steak and cheese burritos from McDonald's. I had to eat it, and was surprised that it stayed down. (When was the last time I ate McDonald's? When was the last time I ate steak? Was that even actually steak?) More on food and nutrition later.

It rained today and my feet were wet for most of the ride. But the sky cleared cleared up in time to get to the host site. Calliope and I showered in the hose.
Travis and I messing with signs.

That's a pretty small city if you ask me...

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