Today was a pretty easy 20 something miles into buckhorn campground. When I got there, I saw a fellow cycle tourer (Mike, early twenties) hanging out, and we got to talking and he is eastbound traveling with two other guys (Ken and Bob, retirement age), and we decided to share a camping spot. One of them had a senior discount, so it was only four dollars each. It was really great to chat and compare set ups and camping gear. I’m carrying one of the heavier loads; two of the guys don’t even have front panniers, but one guy is actually carrying a pressure cooker.
I noticed Mike had extra spokes taped to his chainstay, and I commented that it was a pretty smart idea. I told him I’m not carrying any extra spokes, but I’ll just not break any spokes, and then I won’t need to worry about carrying extras. They were all thoroughly impressed with my sleeping quilt vs traditional sleeping bag, but I think they thought my thick pad plus sleeping bag liner as bedsheet was overkill. They also really liked my Yeti double insulated jug as I was able to share some ice water with them at the end of their long ride today.
I spilled about a third of my noodle dinner; I’m about fed up with my alcohol stove, and ready to switch to canister type. The two older gents had some vegan chili left over, so I mixed it with what was left of my noodles and spam and it’s quite good. Best time to expand your palate is when you are quite hungry.
We chatted a lot about what we could each expect on the road ahead, and apparently Missouri was not a big hit with these guys. Also, more dogs on the road ahead; apparently there is an infamous biter after a ferry crossing out of Kentucky.
One thing these guys complain about that hasn’t really bothered me is the heat. People keep complaining about the heat around here, and I’m like, “what, it didn’t even got ninety today?” Two of these guys have only taken three rest days, and the third guy hasn’t taken any, so I kinda feel like I need to harden up!
These guys get up early and are planning to hit the road by 4am. I’d love to get moving just by six. It is really great to get moving early, and I miss that. Lately, I’ve not got moving too after 9am. I’m so lazy. Well, it’s 68 long hilly miles into Berea tomorrow, so wish me luck.
First night sleeping in tent without rainfly because hot and humid, and I was getting annoyed at the bright light in my tent from the campground, like a streetlight overhead. When I checked it out I realized there are lights in the campground, but the annoying “streetlight” is in fact the moon.
I do realize I haven’t really taken pictures of the people I’m meeting, and that’s fair. Pics or it didn’t happen, right? Whenever I am chatting with actual people on this ride I kinda forget about trying to capture the moment, and I just enjoy it instead. They exist. I do wish I had gotten a shot of the four of us with our bikes or campsite and gear. My camera has gotten heavy lately, and I didn’t really take many pics for a while.