Plan B

  A cold front rolled in along with a stiff breeze which had me delay my departure.  I spent the time patching my punctured inner tubes and removing a tiny truck tire wire which pierced my tire and caused the punctured of three inner tubes.  I found the tube leaks by inflating the tubes and submerging sections of the each in the sink full of water.  The holes were tiny and had to be marked with my pen so I wouldn’t lose them when I apply the patches. Close to 9:30  I left Lebanon dresser for a cold ride.  The wind was unrelenting all day with gusts upwards to thirty mph with a steady breeze of twenty.  My legs and arms were weary to begin with so I did what I could to conserve what energy I had.  If a hill was long and steep I would dismount and walk.  At least two dozen times I walked pushing the bike.  The gps thought  its side unpaved roads were better bike routes but when checking the map I realized the route was adding several miles onto the direct route.  The average cyclist is usually intimidated by the traffic when the shoulder is non existent. But, in Missouri the drivers give the cyclists plenty of room, usually a lanes width.  Also my glasses mounted rearview mirror gets constant use.  With thousands of miles under my belt I am a seasoned rider but am very careful nevertheless.  Anyways, I pushed ahead and several timed was broadside by the wind enough to jar me or blasted head on like I had jammed on the breaks.  Miles after mile for thirty-five miles I pushed ahead. I drifted into Marshfield  a shell of my former self and navigated to North Park where bikers are allowed to camp. Not a soul was around probably because of the chilly wind.  I set my tent up in a low profile spot beneath a Sycamore tree, next to small creek and behind a few cement picnic tables.  The plot had to be clear of any branches that might fall due to the wind. 

 NOW after days of battling the wind I have opted for plan B by booking a train from Springfield to Los Angeles departing after 22:00 the 17th.  A long 1500 miles to Los Angeles but my bicycle ride east should  be a cake walk compared to what I have endured over the past ten days. You do what you have to do.