Lewis and Clark view of the Missouri

       Missouri definitely has a ways to go before the state can be called truly bicycle friendly to us transcontinental cyclists.  The KATY trail is magnificent but not much in the way of support in the passing towns.

       Hot and sweaty, the Y came through with a good shower facility. I schlepped a mile up hill to Harley park to find a good camping site.  Not a thrilling prospect given the heat.  Woove my way through the park to the end where a camping site was supposedly located. WOW!  The Missouri River below me with a view twenty miles either way.  The only flat spot was at the very top of a viewing knoll with a cement slab to step up onto for the grand view.  I have seen a lot of spectacular views but this one ranks in the top ten.  My tent took the tiny flat spot next to the slab with the tent opening facing the breeze.  A billion dollar view and I claimed it for night. Even with the breeze the heat kept my body on the edge.  A/C corrupts, real men don't need

Four wheel drive or A/C.

         I shagged out of Boonville at 6:30am and took in nature by the Missouri River for thirty miles. I found a micro general store with IPA on tap.  How good does that get in 10:15 in the morning.  Last night I had a bottle of IPA in one hand and. Draft of IPA  in the other; it was tough putting down my left hand to eat my salad. The same for this morning. A draft, a cup of coffee, a muffin and a snickers to supper charge the system for the next 25 miles. Headphones on, good tunes rocking, I ramped up the speed, brushed the weekend cyclists aside and flew..  Good tunes and smooth sailing, I arrived in Jefferson City by 12:15.  Found a bike shop in front of the capital building.  First things first, the owner took a look at my sweaty form and offered my a beer straight off.  Two beers, two new inner tubes and no luck with accommodations, I head for an Irish pub for a good salad. The town of Rebbit(sp) has a Hostel and is ten miles down the trail, where i am off to crash for the night.   A good day on the trail and more to come.   Get off the couch and start training.