11 Nov 2011 Ride: Fay - Springfield: Day 1

Veteran's Day.  Off to Springfield, MO to catch a couple of Rachel's soccer games on Sunday. 

A barn on AR 295 between Hwy 45 and US 412.

On Hwy 45, after the climb up from War Eagle River, a couple of horses by the fence.  I rode by them but decided to circle back and I'm glad I did as they were very friendly.

I really enjoyed my time with them and I had a hard time pulling away.  When I was leaving, the black one started pumping his head up and down.  I like to think he was communicating in some way but maybe he was just shaking off flies.

Interesting gate on Hwy 12 outside of Clifty.

The stretch on Hwy 12 between Hwy 45 and Hwy 23 was about the only flat portion of the first leg of this trip.  This may not be the easiest or shortest way to Springfield, but it sure is the most scenic as I worked my way through Eureka Springs and 4500 feet of elevation climb by the time the day was over.

Fried egg sandwich and excellent carrot bisque soup in Eureka Springs.  Last year, when I stopped here for lunch on my Kansas City bike trip in September, the front was filled with motorcycles and it was rather fun to pull up and park my bicycle among them.  I forgot the name of the restaurant!

Up, up and up and then down, down, down to...

Missouri breeds its very own unique style of hills

My legs were aching and I was glad to finally reach Roaring River State Park where the first day of Catch and Release for trout was in progress. 

But, I still had one more hill to climb to get to my motel.  A bugger of a .8 mile climb that had lots of 14% grades which wasn't much fun after 62 miles.   The hill has a reputation in the area for getting the best of car & trucks pulling trailers.  At least I didn't have to wake up in the morning and face it first thing like last year.

I want to give special thanks to Cindy and Lonnie, the owners of The Roaring River Resort where I stayed.  After I made my reservation a few days before my stay, Cindy called me back to let me know that Lonnie would be happy to drive me into town (about 6 miles away) to get something to eat as everything in the area was closed.  Their hospitality was tremendously appreciated. 

 This picture was taken by accident but I found it intriguing how it came out; it seems to have captured a huge mouth on a light.

Actually, it's the design on the globe that covers the ceiling light in my motel room.

11 November Ride:  5hrs 37miles.  62.33 miles.  Mid 60s.  15-20mph  Miles YTD:  8734.85

Number of miles per day needed to reach 10,000 miles by the end of the year: 25.3

Donations for Biking for Food, which support the Community Meals at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, AR, can be sent to:  Biking for Food,  St Paul’s Episcopal Church,   224 N. East Ave.,   Fayetteville, AR  72701

Or, make a pledge per bike miles ridden at  www.stpaulsfay.org/bikingforfood.html.

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