Bicycle Touring The World: Tecumseh to Maryville, Missouri, USA
My latest bicycle touring around the world update, cycling across the USA through Missouri on Thursday, the 14th June 2012. Tecumseh to Maryville. 98 miles. What a long and arduous day. I’ve been on detour after detour. The day started off well, despite still having that side wind. And I was all set for an early finish.
It was about ten o’clock, and I’d stopped off for something to eat in Rock Port. After finishing my food, I left, and just as I left town, I saw a sign saying Maryville 46 miles. I’d already decided that that would possibly be my stop for the night. After about three miles, another sign said road closed, follow detour, which I did.
The detour turned me directly into the wind and also gave me some pretty steep climbs. I was also lost. I didn’t have a clue where I was on these back roads. They weren’t on my map. Eventually, I found my way to this small town called Fairfax, which I had on my map. It also transpired that I would have passed through Fairfax had I not gone on my detour. I was now back on my original route, and there were only twenty-six miles to go.
Not Again
Eight miles out of town, there was another sign; this time, it said bridge out eight miles ahead! Back onto another detour. After much wiggling and winding on the back roads, I made it back onto my route. And then, with only fifteen miles to go, there was yet another sign. Road closed. Follow detour! The only trouble with this detour was that it took me back in the opposite direction to where I was going.
After talking to several locals in a garage, I decided to head for the road closure and pick up a track to get me around the road closure. The trail was hard going. It was gravel, uphill and into the wind! Eventually, I found my way to Maryville and finished cycling at about 7.30, feeling pretty knackered! And to top the day off, I swallowed my tooth. Hopefully, I’ll get it back tomorrow morning, though!!
Tour Information
It’s been years since I took this ride, but the memories (and the data) are all archived:
- Photos: See my photos on Flickr
- The route: View my journey around the world
- Videos: Check out my YouTube videos
- Tour page: Ride overview
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