Why are two crazy ladies riding across the United States?

Seven years ago while I was huffing and puffing to keep up with Ruth's running pace, she asked me if I would run across the USA with her.



You are crazy!" I gasped. "but I will cycle across the states with you."



We started planning the trip that day. We ordered the transcontinental maps from Adventure Cycling Association. Then Ruth's husband got a job in Evian, France, and we put our plans on hold.



Throughout the last seven years, we continued to discuss our trip. Then this last Fall, Bill and Ruth returned to Cincinnati. We looked at our maps again,checked into various cycling groups that are crossing the states this year, and kept pedaling on the back roads of southwestern Ohio.



As we learned the prices and the dates of the organized trips, we realized those trips would not work for us. We finally decided that a spring trip would work, and we decided on the Southern Tier Route. The maps route us through southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and then to our final designation - St. Augustine, Florida.

Throughout the trip we will stay in motels and bed&breakfasts and travel as lightly as possible. We plan to average eighty miles per day, take three rest days, and reach our destination on May 1st.



Our husbands are traveling with us the first two weeks. They will carry our gear for us and will be playing golf or attending spring training baseball games while we are cycling. Hurray for our very supportive husbands!



We will try to update the blog every day. Some nights we may be so tired that the only words we will be able to type are: "We made it!" We may be in a motel without a computer or cell coverage.



We will miss our family and friends along the trip. As St. Patrick's Day is approaching we think of this Irish Blessing:



May the road rise to meet you,



May the wind be always at your back,



May the sun shine warm upon your face,



The rains fall soft upon your fields and



Until we meet again,



May God hold you in the palm of his hand.



To All: Please Take Care! Love, Mary Jo and Ruth



Thursday, April 22, 2010

Day 33,Poplarville to Vancleave, 75 miles

The Gods are looking after us. We started cycling before seven - the early morning is cool and quiet. We had a little fog but the road we were on had no traffic. In the morning we always have our blinking lights on and wear our reflective clothing.
Around nine we were approaching Perkinston. Jim arrived and informed us that the route does not go through the town. The closest Subway was at least three miles away. Perkinson was the only place to purchase food on the route. Jim had told us about a service station on the busy State Route 49.
We carried our bikes over the RR tracks to the service station and found packaged sandwiches and chex mix for our lunch.
We continued cycling through the forest when a truck approached us and asked if we needed water, food, air for our tires, or tubes. It was Bubba!
We chatted with him for a while and when he found out that we were staying at a certain campground(there are no motels in the area,) he exclaimed that the place we had chosen to rent a cabin is a dangerous place and the owners would probably be in a methane daze!" Bubba invited us to spend the night with his group at the White Sands Campground located on a beautiful river site.
Bubba is a retired policeman from St. Louis. He saw a need of providing tents and air mattresses for cyclists on organized camping trips. This is his first cross country trip and he is supporting fifteen riders. Bubba's Pampered Pedalers-BIKERBUBBA@AOL.COM

We have been treated royally by Bubba and his staff and the other cyclists. We have a large tent with two thick air matresses and two sleeping bags. The showers are luxurious for a campground. And the most wonderful thing is that we do not have to go out and scavege for food tonight. We are having spaghetti tonight and we will have breakfast tomorrow morning and then head off for Dauphin Island. We have reservations for a motel tomorrow night. Bubba's group will be camping on the island.

"the traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see .". G. k. Chesterson.
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7 comments:

  1. DonApril 22, 2010 at 6:38 PM

    Sure nice of Bubba to take care of you with accomodations, sheter and food. Mississippi is one of three states I've never been to. Maybe reading this blog will provide more than I could see if I actually went there.

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  2. AnonymousApril 22, 2010 at 7:19 PM

    Mary Jo,

    Evelyn sent me your blog and I have been following your cross country ride. I lived in the St. Louis area (Edwardsville, IL) and I met Bubba years ago. I have not talked with him in years, but I heard he was supporting cyclists. I am enjoying your adventure.

    Cov

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  3. lshewApril 23, 2010 at 3:31 AM

    I can't get over Bubba! What a hoot! And what a sweet man, sounds like. I love the scenery over the last couple of days(back roads sounds nice)...is it very hot and humid in this part of the country right now? Looks gorgeous! And as I read I'm not sure which would be neater about this trip...the connections you make along the way, the scenery you see, or all the great food you get to eat without gaining a pound!

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  4. NoraApril 23, 2010 at 6:02 AM

    It's great to know you have "road angels" like Bubba looking out for you! That love you're radiating is coming back to ya! Rock on, ladies :)

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  5. MaxannaApril 23, 2010 at 8:25 AM

    I do believe Bubba is a modern KNIGHT IN SHINY ARMOUR! So glad he stumbled your way. I went to his site and I'm wondering just a bit if maybe there won't be more BUBBA in your future!

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  6. AnonymousApril 23, 2010 at 12:25 PM

    Dear Ladies
    We are sitting here in amazement having seen the pictures of your trip thus far. You girls are awesome. RIDE ON!!! Looking forward to seeing you at Wesley Manor. I can't believe there would be any flesh left on your bones but Bill assures me that you have eaten well. What a beautiful country. The post cards are piling up!

    Frank and Marion

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  7. KurtApril 23, 2010 at 4:39 PM

    Hi Mary Jo! The girls and I sure have enjoyed your pictures and narration of your trip! What fun! I hope it is more enjoyable than work for you! Look forward to hearing about it when you return. Best of luck and be safe on the final stretch of your journey! Sincerely, Kurt, Lilly & Mia

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