Day 78, August 16: Livingston to Thomasville. Distance: 63 miles, Overcast, high in the 80s

Starting our 12 th week on the road, we are beginning to get anxious to see St. Augustine. Today’s route had two options, an 83 mile route or 63 mile route. We selected the shorter more direct route. Last night we had rain and had some water on the roads as we started this morning. We left about 6:15 AM to beat the heat and afternoon thunder storms. We arrived in Livingston at 11:00 AM without any rain. Our route was SR 28 leaving Livingston through Coatopa, Jefferson and into Linden. At Linden we left the Adventure Cycling Map and turned south on to US 43. A two lane highway ,US 43, with no shoulder and few services took us through Dixon's Mill and into Thomasville. The Saturday morning traffic was light with only a few logging trucks. The roads were smooth and hills were small making for an enjoyable ride.

Day 78, August 16: Livingston to Thomasville. Distance: 63 miles, Overcast, high in the 80s

Week 11: August 9 to August 15, Parsons,TN to Livingston, AL

View Larger Map

Click on the picture for each day to link to Picasa Web Albums then click Slide Show.

Total Mileage to date: 4,000 miles

Day 77, August 15: Reform to Livingston. Distance 67 miles. Overcast and temp 70s-80s.

We left Reform about 6:30 AM on SR 17 riding about 10 miles to Aliceville where we have breakfast downtown at a local gathering place off the main road named Pearson's Dinner. It is always nice to find a "Mom and Pop" place to eat as the people there are more interested in talking than rushing to get somewhere. In Aliceville we return to the Adventure Cycling Underground Railroad Bicycle Route where we passed through Cochran, Warsaw and Gainesville. We had a rough road on route 85 for 10-15 miles and found an unexpected location to get a cold drink in Warsaw at a bait shop. In Gainesville we turned off the Adventure Cycling route and took CR 39 to US 11 as a more direct route into Livingston. Livingston, AL is the home of the University of West Alabama with a population of 3,297. After checking into our motel we had lunch at a recommended bakery and it was great.. It was a pleasant ride for our first full day in Alabama.

Late Addition: Judy rejoined us today for a few days riding. Judy, we are so glad to see you again! Unfortunately she will be returning to Washington DC on Monday. :(

Day 77, August 15: Reform to Livingston. Distance 67 miles. Overcast and temp 70s-80s.

Day 76, August 14. West Point to Reform: Distance 59 miles, Cloudy then clearing temp in 70s-80s

Today’s ride was another flat ride on smooth roads. While leaving West Point we stopped at a local bakery for a quick cup of coffee and a doughnut. Afterwards we headed east on SR 50 riding to Columbus, MS about 17 miles away. In Columbus we ate a late breakfast at a downtown restaurant called Salley's. From there we rode MS 182 to the state line connecting to Alabama's County Road 30. This connected us to US 82 and Reform. After checking into the hotel, I went to the Reform Public Library at and read about the local history. The first Europeans through this area were Cortez and his soldiers. The town name comes from a preacher that after trying to establish a church in the area in the 1800s on his way out of the area, someone asked him what they should call the place. His response was "Reform" and the name stuck. Another great ride for all with temperatures and humidity cooperating again.

Day 76, August 14. West Point to Reform: Distance 59 miles, Cloudy then clearing temp in 70s-80s

Day 75, August 13: Tupelo to West Point. Distance 59 miles. Overcast/sunny with 70s and 80s.

Three different exits off the Natchez Trail offered several routes to West Point. Ron and I chose the shortest route taking the SR 41 exit off the Natchez Trace and through the town of Okolona. After breakfast at Okolona we connected to Alt US 45 which took us to WestPoint. Arriving at West Point my trip odometer showed we averaged a little over 18 mph for the ride. The cloud cover finally cleared and we had a beautiful afternoon to explore West Point, population 12,145.

Day 75, August 13: Tupelo to West Point. Distance 59 miles. Overcast/sunny with 70s and 80s.

Day 73 and 74, August 11 and 12: Rest Days at Tupelo, MS. Distance 12 miles, Rain on Tuesday.

Monday morning we took a bike ride to the bike shop to check out some concerns on my bike. Top Tube checked out OK after adjustment. Also checked bottom bracket and replaced middle chain ring. Rest of the day was spent doing laundry, catching up on blog work and watching the Olympics. Tuesday it rained all day, with some time spent bike cleaning in the afternoon. Tuesday night several of us took a taxi to the Mall and had dinner with some going to a movie. After two days without riding the legs are anxious to get back on the bike.

Late Addition: Jim left today as developments away from our ride has pulled him back to the real world. Jim's pull on Sunday will never be forgotten. Jim had done 3 long distance rides before this one across the US. Please check out his blog: http://pedicabman.blogspot.com/

Jim, I hope to see you at St. Augustine on the 30th.

Day 73 and 74, August 11 and 12: Rest Days at Tupelo, MS. Distance 12 miles, Rain on Tuesday.

Day 72, August10: Counce, TN to Tupelo, MS Distance 76 miles. Overcast then rain.

Cloudy skies greeted us in the morning as we left Counce, TN for Belmont, MS on SR 57 west. SR 57 turned out to be a smooth and low traffic road with a 2 foot shoulder and a few gradual rolling hills. The route was off the Adventuring Cycling Maps and we soon passed through the Mississippi towns of Luka, Midway and Tishomingo. While on a break we assessed the possibility of riding to Tupelo as it was off the Natchez Trace and only 42 miles away. Also, I was having some concerns regarding a mechanical problem with my bike and Tupelo had a bike shop that could check things out. The idea of getting into Tupelo early appealed to the four of us and a call was made to Rich letting him know of our situation. We got on to the Natchez Trace by late morning and arrived in Tupelo before 2:00 PM with the last 40 minutes in the rain. The Natchez Trace was a great ride with smooth road surface, modest hills and low traffic. Jim pulled us the last 15 miles at about a 20 mph average speed. Thanks Jim!

Day 72, August10: Counce, TN to Tupelo, MS Distance 76 miles. Overcast then rain.

Day 71, August 9: Parsons to Counce. Distance: 64.5 miles. Sunny 60s-80s

We are greeted with a cool August morning as we extend our path to the southern end of Tennessee. The roads were smooth and the hills were kind to us today. We stopped for breakfast in Saltilla, TN, and after talking about our trip the owner asked us to sign the wall of the restaurant. A beautyful day and beautiful ride.

Day 71, August 9: Parsons to Counce. Distance: 64.5 miles. Sunny 60s-80s

Week 10: August 2 to August 8: Chester, IL to Parsons, TN

View Larger Map

Click on the picture for each day to link to Picasa Web Albums then click Slide Show.

Total Mileage to date: 3,726 miles