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I thought we were about finished biking past the oil refineries but it went on forever following the levee along the Mississippi. The pipes passed over top our heads and the street and into the huge refineries across the street.
We biked past miles of sugar cane fields and right through the campus of LSU, past the football stadium and the agricultural college with so many horses grazing in the bright sunlit fields. The four miles of bike path right through Baton Rouge along the river was a wonderful respite from the craziness of the roads.
I made it 30 some miles today and then wimped out. The strong headwind, the huge potholes that made me fear for my bike tire, the unexpected news that a friend of mine passed away today left me just wanting to give up. That means that tomorrow I have to make up the miles I missed today and bike even more miles than I was expecting. Ugh.
Let me just say that once one leaves the levees and the refineries and all the import and exporting hustle and bustle of the harbor it’s clear that the money is pretty concentrated in the hands of a few. The roads stink in Baton Rouge. There is visible poverty. I don’t even want to think about the money that’s paid to the LSU coach. There. I said it.
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Tonight we have reached a new level of ….something. With no campgrounds within a 50 mile radius we got a tip from Adventure Cycling that we could camp for free at the truck stop in Simmesport, Louisiana. They had us at free. No electricity or running water but that did not stop David from cooking us a fine meal. Note pile of garbage by the tree.
I’m lying in the tent and I can hear Tony and David discussing the
definition of “sketchy” as it relates to our tenting situation tonight.
The semis engines are running as the truckers pull in for the night and
the farmer across the field is plowing up long, straight rows of red
soil. I never thought to add camping at a truck stop to my bucket
list.
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Lovely pics (mostly) . when not, you can sing Warren Zevon's song as you ride along: ..."well, it ain't that pretty at all..."
ReplyDeleteH) Truck stops, what joy! (but some not so much). hikers tend to prefer to stealth camp at walmarts, but if they badly need a shower they will cough up the 8-10$ for one at tht big chain truck stops
ReplyDeleteFeel no need to make up the miles. If fifty a day is your goal, just seek to achieve that in the future with the recognition that hiccups will occur. And in my book, you and David are on an epochal journey that will have a major impact on your memories for the rest of your lives. If there is the need to rest in a supine position once a week on a legitimate bed, do so even if you have to reach out to donors.
ReplyDeleteTruck stop camping? Well that still beats waking up to 8 inches of wet heavy SNOW! Yes Chris you could say I’m slightly jealous 😊. Keep riding and enjoy each mile letting the worries of the day fade as you remain grateful for the blessings that you have in your ability to ride. Go Chris go…and Dave too!!
ReplyDeleteYour adventures are continuing! Keep on cycling!
ReplyDelete