Editor's Note: For this section, all entries were submitted by Fredric Scire.

An interesting day
Tuesday, July 18 (Day 45)

The ride today started at 4:45 a.m. and we rode with bike lights and headlamp until about 5:45 a.m., then there was enough daylight, although we kept our rear flashers on. The first 40 miles went by easy in the cool morning and also because it was very flat! We arrived at Troy, Kan., just as the post office was opening and were able to mail more stuff home.

Leona and Beth had been able to find an air-conditioned home to stay in by an interesting couple they met at an ice cream parlor. I met him at the post office and he told me that they had just left about 40 minutes earlier.

The group finally got together at lunchtime in Plattsburg, Mo. They napped a little and decided to push on in the heat. I hung around the city park but found out that no camping was allowed. I still waited 'til about 5 p.m. before I, too, left. I opted out for a hotel in Holt, Mo. Temperatures were over 100 degrees again with more blasted humidity. Total mileage is 103, highest so far, and average speed was 12 mph. Busy traffic, especially going thru St Joseph. Terrain was like a roller coaster and with heavy truck traffic on roads that had no shoulders. Terrain looks much like Maryland.

60 + 20
Wednesday, July 19 (Day 46)

Left the hotel at 5 a.m. this morning, yesterday's 100-miler is telling. Not today though.

Caught Leona and Beth as they were leaving a church hall in Lawson. They managed to do it again. Soft hearts let them spend the night in the hall with showers, air conditioning and vending machines.

We rode together until noon. By then I had put in over 60 miles and was ready to quit. They napped as usual and then hit the road again.

The terrain has not changed. Still a Maryland copy with roller coaster roads and no shoulders.

I will spend the afternoon at the Waverly, Mo., library and then leave at the 5 p.m. closing time for Marshall 20 miles down the road. No camping or hotels in town, the girls will be checking in with me when they find accommodations. If they are in Marshall I will join them there.

Not looking forward to another 20 miles. It is still over 100 degrees with a heat index over 110.

Saved by a pickup
Thursday, July 20 (Day 47)

Total mileage for the day is 88 miles. From Marshall Mo., to Jefferson City and averaged 12.4 mph.

Again today was hot, hot, hot with a lot of humidity thrown in. The heat index is over 110 degrees. The ride was primarily along the river and reminded me of the C&O canal, except with a much better surface — a full car-width lane of fine crushed stone. A few washouts but no stoppers. There were great rest stops at sights of old train stations, with well maintained restrooms and facilities. Good water readily available. Only problem is that at final trailhead for the day, there is no way to get to the city because of the four-lane limited access highway; you have to call a cab. Fortunately, another rider showed up with a pickup truck and hauled me to the Hotel 6; about four miles away on the other side of the river. Thanks! 

After an 88-mile day, this was truly great! Later, after I had checked in and showered, I went to the grocery and another kind woman gave me a ride back to the hotel. Great folks here in Jefferson City!

Unable to reach Leona or Beth by cell phone. Calls throughout afternoon and evening were not responded to.

A flat setback
Friday, July 21 (Day 48)

Received answer to this morning's call to Leona. They had gone on past Jefferson City to the bike hostel in Tebbetts, Mo., giving them a long 100-mile plus day. Leona said they would stay awhile as Beth was having continuous bike flat troubles.

Weather was getting stormy, so I agreed to meet them at the hostel. Once there, I found Beth working on tires and tubes. She had four flats on the rear tire the day before and is now convinced the tire is worn out.

Weather is calling for storms till 4:30 p.m. with continuous rain through the evening. After some discussion, plans were set to stay the night here, leave at 7 a.m., bike to Hermann, Mo., bike store and then continue to St. Charles, for at least 100 miles total. They have decided to go off route for a long way past St. Charles before getting on the TransAmerica route. At least three days, maybe 4.

A perfect day, a frustrating night
Saturday, July 22 (Day 49)

This was a long, long day, 110 miles, with an average speed of 12.1 mph, from Tebbetts, Mo., to St. Charles, Mo. Total mileage to date 2,983 miles

Bike hostel in Tebbetts was a great resource, a large two-story, early 1900's store with 12 bunks per story and showers and bath. Just a $5 donation for a night's stay, clean and air conditioned.

The ride was totally along the Katy trail. The weather was perfect; best riding day of the trip.

I left the hostel early to get to Hermann bike shop to have someone work on my rear wheel. The girls left later and I met them in Augusta, Mo., where I bought a t-shirt at the Augusta Bicycle Company — a first for me.

The ride to St. Charles was long and pointless. The RV Park refused to let tents in park and ended up in high-dollar hotel where I ordered pizza, got finally got settled after 9 p.m. It was a long, long day.

An Illinois welcome
Sunday, July 23 (Day 50)

We slept in this morning and enjoyed breakfast in the hotel. Then we were able to watch the end of the Tour de France before checking out. This was the first time that I have been able to see it live. We did our best to get our monies worth out of that gosh-darned hotel.  Since the power was out in the St. Louis-St. Charles area this hotel was one of the few places that had power, and they knew it.

The ride today was short, but interesting. We crossed the Mississippi on a ferry and then about 12 miles later crossed the Illinois River again on a ferry. It was between the two rivers that we met Bill and Gary, two cyclists from Alton, Ill., out for a Sunday ride. Bill invited us back to his place since no camping was to be had anywhere close. We later met Bill and his wife, Mary, who was recovering from foot surgery at their home and did camp in their backyard after a shower, beer, and ice cream. These are great folks who made us welcome in Illinois.

Bill went out of his way to make us comfortable and we are truly grateful. He also advised us on a possible route through the state, and the following morning got us started back on the trail, which we needed.