Sunday, June 9, 2024

2024 Route 66 East - Day 9

Lebanon MO

It was raining hard when I went to sleep last night and this morning I woke to the same scene. Breakfast was at George’s restaurant next door. Luckily the rain abated for the walk over. Huge cells were moving through the area and the departure time was pushed back one hour. I was planning on an easy recovery day, but with the rain, all day headwind, and one-hour rain delay, I’m feeling it!
Wet roads leaving Springfield
Just a few miles out of town we encountered this flooded road. The water was moving pretty fast, but was rideable. But with the muddy water, I could not see the bottom and walked the bike through.
This is the slope exiting the stream we crossed, just a hour ago it was pouring and by the looks of the debris, even the uphill section was flooding!
Some frontage roads today as I-44 generally follows the Old Route 66 alignment. But mostly we were on country roads to a number of towns that were bypassed by I-44
The Rost batch plant was quiet on this Sunday morning
Across the street, the Rost accountants have their own separate building. I wonder if the operations guys did that to keep the bean counters out of the way!
I had a flat tire this morning and rolled off the road into the driveway of this abandoned house. It took longer than normal to make the change because I reinstalled the punctured tube after spending a lot of time inspecting the tire and removing the tiny thorn! I realized my mistake after I remounted the wheel but before I pumped it up.
Nice farmland, green from all the rain
Dad, can we stop here!
The second SAG was at this roadside attraction (on I-44). That is not a sign in the background, that is a huge steel building, and is full of gift shop merchandise. I stepped in to look around briefly, but with my tire change I was at the back of the pack needed to get moving.
This small bridge over a stream was placed in 1922! The old 1920’s pavement is under several layers of tarmac, and sometimes at the edge of the road, or in a pothole, you can see the old pavement.
Lebanon MO
We are staying at the iconic Munger Moss motel. The main attraction for me is that all the rooms are on the ground floor, no lugging bike and bags up the stairs!
Room 82, with the kit drying in the sun on the luggage stand. I moved the orange chair outside to enjoy the cool fresh air. Let’s just say the room has that old musty motel aroma!

Looks like a tough day tomorrow, 88 miles and 4000+ feet of climbing, time for dinner and an early bedtime. We start at 0630 and ride 16.5 miles to breakfast, remember to put some food in your pockets before we go!


3 comments:

Joe Tansill said...

Good job Steve!!! Keep pushing forward and enjoy the ride. Looks like you are getting all sorts of weather.

Anonymous said...

With your photos & commentary I’m enjoying seeing Route 66 much more than if I were actually in the bicycle group! mga

Lib said...

You had to pass on the best part of the trip!! A huge gift shop. Bummers.
Lib