Week 5 Rides in Three States

Day 31 

DeRidder LA to Ville Platte, plan:   78 miles

Only three of us rode out at the beginning of the day.  There was a big threat of rain and, that, combined with reports of dogs on this route, spooked the other riders.  The rain passed and a few dogs came out but mostly they just wanted to run along side while staying on their property.  

This was another flatlander day, with lots of things to see, like rice fields and crawfish farming.  

Rice field

I saw my first cemetery where the coffins are above ground.  (Kate’s note:  due to the very low altitude and high water table in many parts of Louisiana, coffins won’t stay buried, but rather make their way back up to the surface.  This necessitated the development of a process for above ground “burial”.) 

Above ground coffins

I found another donut shop; poor Tom, I dragged him in.  

At the lunch point, two of the other riders got on the road.  We had really nice roads today with little traffic and a nice tailwind. We watched some crop dusters working and one even took the time to wave his airplane at us and buzz us on the highway, what a hoot.  

Crop duster

Day 32

Ville Plate LA to St Francisville LA, Plan:   83 miles

We started off earlier today but that was a mistake as we were heading east and the sun was not very high yet.  The low sun made it tough for us to see, and tough for the drivers to see us.  The first 25 miles were scenic and on nice country roads.  Then it changed with a left turn onto a four lane highway with the worst shoulder we have seen in awhile.  

The wind added to our pain as it was either in our face or a cross wind that kept trying to take my front wheel and send it into the ditch.  We all gathered at mile 38 as we had to climb up a four lane bridge then ride over it for 6 miles.  Bikes can not go on the bridge unless they have an escort vehicle.  We had our van and trailer which took the outside lane as we cycled in front.  This protected us while making traffic go around us.  I, being the slow guy, had to lead out and set the pace.  The first bridge was up there,  but it wasn’t too bad.  The second bridge, which was over 4 miles long, was flat and passed over the flood basin which was full.

Bridge over the Mississippi

I was able to do a good pace and enjoyed every minute of it, but I was accused of being a sand bagger with the pace we were doing.  That fast pace of mine ended, of course, once we hit the wind.  Later in the afternoon we crossed the mighty Mississippi River which was flooded well over it’s banks.  

Sandy crossing the Mississippi

We stayed at a golf resort, The Bluffs, and enjoyed their nice rooms.  The resort had just sold thus, the restaurant wasn’t operating. Management arranged for a caterer to bring food into a special room they set up for us and the food was great.  For breakfast, the caterer made up breakfast burritos and had them placed in our fridges while we ate supper.  

Day 33

St Francisville LA to Franklinton LA, plan:   80miles

Another lumpy bumpy day of riding, mostly at the beginning, and it was cooler.  I started off riding with Jona and Cherrie but once on the hills I just waved goodbye to them.   We had nice treed roads which blocked the wind so it was no where near as bad as yesterday. Louisiana has this beautiful red bush that is in full bloom now and they surround a lot of the farms and ranches.  

 Louisiana red bushes

Louisiana must also be a concealed carry state according to this sign.  

This guy must be serious about anyone trespassing on his property.

Anti-aircraft gun

My legs were really tired today.  I was told we would have two more days of hills then we’ll be back to the flats.  I’ll believe it when I see it.  We cross into a new state tomorrow.

Trees with Spanish moss

Day 34 

Franklinton LA to Wiggins MS, Plan:  81 miles

Kate’s note:  Sandy provided no notes for this day.  During our evening discussions, she has commented that some days just aren’t all that memorable. And, I think, some days she is just too darn tired to think of anything to write. Usually, on these days she calls and says, “I’m tired and going to bed, now.  I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”  

Her typical days unfold as follows:  get up,  get cycling kit on and gear ready for the day, go for breakfast, finish packing and carry belongings to van, 8 - 9 hours on the bike, get to the next hotel and unpack, shower and change into civvies, go for dinner, chat with Kate on FaceTime, get gear ready for the next day, re-pack, write a few notes and send some photos to Kate, go to bed.  

Another border crossing day

Day 35 

Wiggins MS to Moss Point MS, Plan:  70 miles

Kate’s note:  Although she did not provide notes for this day, either, Sandy did text some photos during the day.  She sent one photo before she started to ride across the Martin Luther King causeway to get to Moss Point.  Her comment was, “Here goes nothing. I hope the wind doesn’t blow me off. Away I go!”

MLK Causeway

This was followed by a second causeway she needed to conquer.  Her comment this time was, “This one’s worse, and no shoulder.  Here I go!”

Day 36  

Moss Point MS to Gulf Shores AL, Plan:  68 miles

We had another state line crossing in store for us today, but first we had to make good time in order to catch the ferry over to Dauphin Island.  The weather was favourable and even I made good time.  

After posing for the obligatory border crossing photo, off we went over another bridge onto Dauphin Island.  

Sandy on the Dauphin Island Bridge

Since we made good time, we had time to eat before getting on the ferry for a 45 minute ride to Ft Morgan then onward to Gulf Shores.

Arriving on Dauphin Island with Jona and Tom  

With lunch and the ferry ride, I had been off the bike for almost 2 hours, so my legs kinda seized up some.  Combined with, what else but yet another head wind, once back on the bike, I started off pretty slowly.  We finally got into some shelter from the wind and at mile 6, with 14 miles to go, my legs came back.  Off I went for on a sustained effort the whole 14 miles; what a blast, being able to boogie instead of dawdling.  I was pretty much done in by the time I reached the hotel, but I had fun! 447 feet up, 474 feet down. 

Refueling

Day 37

Rest Day in Gulf Shores AL, Plan:  nothing

The rest day in Gulf Shores was not too nice as it rained and was windy most of the day.  I stayed in, did laundry, cleaned the bike, ordered pizza, and went out once but it was too cold so I went back inside.  My legs were pretty tired after yesterday's sustained effort and since it was Sunday, no massage places were open.  That will be my suggestion:  stop having rest days on Sundays when we can’t get a massage and no bike shops are open.

End of Week 5