Day 16 – Monday 6/13/22

Sikeston, Missouri to Cape Girardeau, Missouri – 43.1 Miles

As I reflect on the trip so far, I can say I’m getting there. With about 1,200 miles behind me, I’ve crossed the borders of six states while working towards my ultimate goal of the Pacific coast. That’s “big picture” progress. Intertwined with that is doing enough each day to make the next one a little easier. Cycling accomplishment on a daily basis can’t be reliably gauged by the stats of the ride. Elapsed time, average speed and total distance are the ones most people look at (How long? How fast? How far?), but there’s more to it than that. Wind speed, wind direction, temperature, weather, road conditions and topography are variables that the rider does not control. Each one of those can have an effect on the ride, positive or negative.

The three things a rider can control are their equipment, fitness level and mental attitude. Propelling a bicycle involves effort, no matter how far. With a suitable bike and reasonable fitness, going for a ride doesn’t have to be an ordeal, no matter what E-Bike proponents will tell you. However, the longer the ride the more likely it is that something will happen that makes things a little less “Fun” for a while, and that’s where mental attitude comes in.

No long-distance cyclist hops on their bike, rides all day and then steps off looking immaculate. It’s work. When the “progress” lens is applied to a single ride, it’s a series of battles along the way to the finish. Today I coasted down some impressive hills, but also grunted my way up others in 100-degree heat. Yesterday I fought with headwinds near the end of a long day. The saying “This, too, shall pass.” perfectly sums up what I’m thinking when things start to suck. Each day is just a matter of mentally checking obstacles off the list as I go along, then forgetting about them. At the end of the day, week or month I’m closer to my goal and happily anticipating what’s to come.

Today wasn’t going to be a day of distance. From Sikeston to Cape Girardeau, the starting point for the next Adventure Cycling segment, it’s about 34 miles by Interstate 55. Because I’m banned from using them, the Interstate wasn’t an option. As I looked for a route north, I found that Missouri had built something called the “Headwater Diversion Channel” south of Cape Girardeau, which ran east to west for miles. What they neglected to do when they built it was to construct a bridge I could use to cross it. The only place I could cross was to the NW, which took me away from where I wanted to go around mile 15. Accepting this, I headed north on State Road “H”.

At 10 miles out I entered the city limits of the “Watermelon Capital of the World”. Of course, I’m talking about Blodgett, Missouri (Pop. 218). Like Cottondale, Florida, the “Worm Fiddlin'” capital, Blodgett stakes a claim that may be refutable, but earns my respect for having the chutzpah to say it.

For a town with a little over 200 people, I had to wonder how much trouble they could get into? Apparently, it’s enough to require a police department. Not sure if they actually have a policeman.

There are some recreational opportunities available, but they have to manufacture their own fun.

Missouri has roads designated by letters, numbers and names. Smaller back roads seem to have numbers, while more important state roads have single or double letter designations. As I was navigating toward Cape Girardeau, it was easy to remember.

I rode through Benton, then onto a series of rural roads that led to New Hamburg. It was getting hilly.

In New Hamburg, there was a church for Sunday and Schindler’s Tavern next door for the other six days.

New Hamburg is in farm country, so they had a feed store. The building was perfect for the setting and timeless.

The next town was Chaffee. Between New Hamburg and there were several hills. Downhills of 25 mph were paid for with climbs of 4 mph.

I like old buildings with character.

Chaffee was another place that needs help. They had some beautiful homes and nice facilities, but there’s not much happening at the core.

I was surprised to see a Western Auto sign on Main Street, since they’ve been out of business for decades. They’re still out of business in Chaffee, but no one took down the sign.

Riding into the Cape Girardeau, I was impressed by the number of medical businesses in operation. They must be a center for the industry, as there were hospitals and specialists everywhere. Not sure of the reason, but for a town of under 100,000 it’s unusual. Given all that concentrated firepower, a billboard like this was inevitable. Who wouldn’t want to look more natural by getting shot with a laser, Botox or hormones?

Downtown Cape Girardeau was attractive but deserted on a Monday afternoon. Situated directly along the Mississippi River, it draws people to it later in the week.

I rode 4 miles west and checked into the Auburn Place Hotel. It’s excellent!

Tomorrow has me heading west and then north, towards the Lewis and Clark Trail. It’s looking like 60 miles with a lot of climbing. We’ll see about that.