Author Archives: Mike Evans

45 miles (72 km) – Total so far: 1,300 miles (2,092 km) After a hearty breakfast at our B&B we hit the road late (8:30). Immediately we were greeted by two unwelcome old friends: a steep uphill and a couple of dogs. Have no fear: fresh legs turn chasing dogs and steep uphills into distantContinue reading “Day 26: Undulating Hills and Unexpected Encounters: Eminence, MO to Houston, MO”

42 miles (68 km) – Total so far: 1,255 miles (2,020 km) The 12 hills of Oh! Zarks! (Sung to the tune of “12 Days Of Christmas”)   On the 25th day of my bike ride, the Ozarks gave to me:12 grinding uphills11 screaming downhills10 cliff bars9 bottles drunk8 breaks for peeing7 Trucks a rumbling6Continue reading “Day 25: The Twelve Hills of Oh! Zarks!: Centerville, MO to Eminence, MO”

79 miles (127 km) – Total so far: 1,213 miles (1,952 km) The joy of today’s four mile 1200 foot decent is incomparable to anything I’ve experienced in life before. Today I felt alive, joyful, and ecstatic. But to get there I had to journey through tired, sore, determined, sweaty, scared, and intimidated. Much likeContinue reading “Day 24: Thrilling: Ozora, MO to Centerville, MO”

Missouri Day 23- Ozara, MO Day 24- Centerville, MO Day 25- Eminence, MO Day 26- Houston, MO Day 27- Marshfield, MO Day 28- Everton, MO Day 23: Stillness and Success: Murpheysboro, IL to Ozara, MO 60 miles (97 km) – Total so far: 1,134 miles (1,825 km) Route 3 IL is designated as the ACAContinue reading “Day 23: Stillness and Success: Murpheysboro, IL to Ozara, MO”

80 miles (129 km) – Total so far: 1,074 miles (1,728 km) Yesterday evening in Paducah, I met up with some longtime friends as well as met a new one. I’ve known Wenda and Bill for the last 10 years, and Grace and I got on like we’ve known each other for 20. Bill isContinue reading “Day 22: Rich Riding: Paducah, KY to Murphysboro, IL”

44 miles (71 km) – Total so far: 994 miles (1,600 km) Today’s ride, starting in Eddyville, was flat and peaceful in the early morning. After a three day rest with friends and family, I found myself averaging about 3 MPH higher than I had been at the end of a 17 day stretch. EvenContinue reading “Day 21: Quixotic Cycling and a Quilt Museum: Eddyville,KY to Paducah, KY”

47 miles (76 km) – Total so far: 950 miles (1,529 km) Breakfast this morning was out of this world. Terry, my host at Federal Grove B&B, cooked me up a farmhouse skillet along with fresh biscuits, fruit salad, local tomatoes, and maple glazed crispy bacon. Fresh orange juice and coffee also helped to getContinue reading “Day 17: Perfect Breakfast: Auburn, Ky to Hopkinsville, Ky”

46 miles (74 km) – Total so far: 903 miles (1,453 km) Riding out of the Mammoth CaveNational Park was wonderfully pleasant, as all national parks and forests have been. This contrasted sharply with the stretches of US highway that carried me the rest of my day. Fortunately, the plan today was for short mileageContinue reading “Day 16: Over-easy Cycling: Mammoth Cave National Park, KY to Auburn, KY”

 72 miles (116 km) – Total so far: 857 miles (1,379 km) My stretch goal for the day was to put together back to back 70+ mile days to make it to Mammoth Cave and do a tour in the afternoon. This is because their first tour of tomorrow morning wasn’t till 9:00 AM. NowContinue reading “Day 15: Nummy Donuts and National Caves: Russell Springs, KY to Mammoth Cave National Park, KY”

71 miles (114 km) – Total so far: 785 miles (1,263 km) Last night, I performed a minor bike tune up in the hotel room. The most important item on the list was to check the rear disc brake pads. All the steep descents, rain, gravel roads, and debris can really wear out a setContinue reading “Day 14: Mild riding and Memorials: Corbin,KY to Russell Springs, KY”