It’s official. We have biked across TWO of the United States of America. Today we closed the chapter on Alamaba and are now on our way through Mississippi!
This morning Dale and Amanda sent us off with a big breakfast of grits, biscuits, eggs, ham, sausage, fruit, nuts, a caffeinated beverage of our choice, and biscotti 😍
That big breakfast did the trick and although we pedaled over 70 miles to get to our destination, I barely had to eat the rest of the day! My knees also fared very well after a lot of ice last night. There is hope for them!!! I can see the light!!
We rode fast and hard (and fixed a flat tire) to get to Starkville and find a spot for our tent before the forecasted rain hit just after sunset. As we neared the city we met with Jerry and Libby Gill who spotted us in their car and pulled over to make sure we were alright on the busy road.
They offered to let us escape the rain in our tent in their backyard and we pedaled to their home through the Mississippi State University campus.
When we arrived at their house, Libby offered to show us to a guest bedroom which at first we turned down, but after some thinking… We are now sleeping in a beautiful home on a HUGE bed with dinner in our bellies and a shower. I’m amazed once again at how our humble plans turn into the most interesting of circumstances and by the generousity of complete strangers who soon feel like long time friends.
Libby and Jerry are retired school administrators who have lived and worked in Arkansas, Alaska, and Mississippi. They’ve also done a bike tour and have fantastic stories to share about their lives. We’ve particularly enjoyed hearing about their time in Alaska working in the Eskimo school districts. So cool! What a great ending to another great day ❤️
Route info for interested readers:
We left Gainesville on County Road 116 then took a right on Co Rd 17 and a quick left on Co Rd 16. Just before Scooba, we turned right on Highway 45 and rode a LOOONG ways (pretty busy road without much shoulder. Honestly wouldn’t recommend although it was very fast and flat to ride). I THINK from there we went left onto highway 82 and exited onto County Road 182 into Starkville.
There and Back Again 