Stats Monday, September 6 – West Plains, MO to Paragould, AR. Day distance 110; ride time 7 h 58 m; ave speed 13.8; total climb 4,425; total miles 2,556.4
Yesterday while at a McDonalds we talked with some “locals” about riding south out of West Plains into Arkansas. A “country boy” commented: “Oh yu ir gonna be in the Hardee Hiills. Yu ir gonna hav to pedal the Hardee Hiills!” Yes, he fit the stereotype of a hillbilly – straw hat and all. We are in the Ozarks!! But he was one of the nicest people we’ve met.
Sure enough, we did have to go through the Hardy Hills. They were good sized rollers. But they were not larger or more steep than what we encountered in the western mountains.
In addition to the hills we dealt with a headwind for most of the day. And more armadillos – dead. Never did see a live one.
Because it was Labor Day, the traffic was very heavy in the afternoon. We had little or no shoulder to ride on. However, most drivers were aware of us and respectful - except for a pickup which passed us twice (they must have stopped somewhere while we passed them). Guys in the pickup shouted some kind of profanity at us with their voices and hands. People – all types everywhere.
The last 30 miles of the day were flat as we progressed toward Paragould. Expansive fields spread out from both sides of the road. Farms large and require “serious” equipment.
Our country is diverse. In its topography. Its people. This is even more noticeable when traveling across it on a bicycle!
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