Missouri Missouri

Today is going to be a great day. I am riding sweep with Trey which means we leave an hour later than everyone else and take our time with the ride since we have to be the last in. We have a 60 mile ride today which feels easy and amazing- time? to enjoy the ride? potentially a few hours at our host before needing to get to bed? It has been a crazy past week in Missouri though I have really enjoyed most of it.

An epic beginning with our ride into St Louis. I spent the entire day with a pretty big (and perfect) group of people. The morning we flew, for the first time we had a slight tailwind, flat terrain- we held sweet pacelines that brought us to lunch. Sweep caught up to us as we changed Sarah's first flat (on an Armadillo- sad!) and they ended up staying with us the entire day. Best sweep team ever. I think lunch was at a little league game, around mile 40 since it began as an 86 mile day.

Post lunch ride was still flat though more interesting because there were far more turns, weaving our way through towns as we approached St Louis. We started getting lost around the confusing Missouri bike paths, just as we began to approach a storm. The sky was breathtaking, dark looming clouds that parted in some areas- none of us could take our eyes off it. Such an eery calm, we knew it wouldn't take long for it to hit. Besides, we have had very few completely dry days- it always rains. We made it through the intersection as the hail flew down and winds picked up. On the bike path again, we stopped on a bridge because we could barely walk forward, let alone move our bikes. Probably one of the most intense flash storms I've been in, sheet after sheet of rain and hail, bikes nearly blowing over. It didn't take more than 30 seconds for all of us to be completely drenched, dripping, dripping... We all huddled together in a circle around Christina, screaming and laughing at the insanity of the moment. This is also when we began to get even more lost, the bike paths were confusing and we couldn't figure out what the text message directions meant. The texts said to follow the chalk, of course (the chalk had just been completely washed away). What an adventure- calls, stopping for directions, trying to find our way into the city. We took the famous Chain of Rocks bridge over the Mississippi- stopping to take pictures, pee through the bridge and change Leslie's karma flat for making fun of Sarah. The 86 turned 92(-109 for some) mile day was crazy fun and our entire group held such high spirits the whole time. Amazing.

The evening held an incredible potluck provided by friends of the Webbers. We then went to a vodka party held by the 42 Below cross country bike trip that also happened to be in St Louis the same night as us. They are riding to promote 42 Below vodka (not affordable housing) and there are a few former B&Bers on their trip. Walked around the city and checked out another bar before heading back to our home at the University of Missouri.

This is what bike & build is. Every day seems like ten because there are so many different happenings and pieces of our days. I love beginning with a ride through the country, stopping in towns and riding into a city. Populated areas are fun, love city riding. I can't get over how many days are like this, so much happening all the time, so much to process and appreciate. The rides, exploring the towns, fun and challenges on so many different levels- all the time. Bike & Build is insane.

When I began writing, I had intended to give a brief overview of Missouri because each day here has been completely different. Clearly, I could write for hours on every single day. Though I can't because I need to start today's ride pretty soon.

Riding from St Louis to Potosi was the first of three 90+ mile days (actually ending up being 300 miles in three days which is ridiculous). Difficult with lots of rolling hills and some bigger climbs- stayed at a boy scout camp which was fun. Swimming in the lake, delicious BBQ, cabins with bunk beds! Potosi to Houston- also challenging day, even though I was in the van. Entering lands with no cell phone service or civilization for 50 miles. Lunch was at the only store for miles, ended up being an awesome, train themed country store on a slightly scary road (another flash storm only adding to the fun)

Another long, crazy day like the first I described when we biked into Springfield. Nobody is surprised when I tell a bit about what B&B is like- long, busy days- intense activity that never stops. Such dramatic highs and lows all the time, adventures adventures. Sound like me, right?And it is. I do love it, I do. But it actually is completely exhausting. Every day is like this, we never stop. Always have much more that I would love to say, but even though it is only 60 miles and I am sweep, I do need to get on the road. Thanks for reading and motivating me to process some of this trip.