Day 31 and Day 32 – Columbus MISS to Sylacauga ALA

We rode 65 miles yesterday into Tuscaloosa and 88 miles today into Sylacauga. I did not update this blog yesterday. So today covers Monday and today.
We continue to stay one step ahead (or behind) the terrible weather that has punished the areas along our path. It has become amazing.

Last week, we saw the formation of the storm wall that produced the massive tornado damage across the country. As we entered Norman Oklahoma last week, the storm originated over Tulsa. We, however, were able to sit for a day and allow the storms to move ahead of us. This week, the severe storms and tornados are following directly behind us as Arkansas is being pummeled along our path.

Today, we rode around thunderstorms and managed to stay dry. We rode 40 miles in the morning, ducked into the Riverside Baptist Church in Helena, Ala, and watched the rain move through us. We spent about an hour hanging out under their carport and moved out when the rain stopped. Dan’s i-phone has radar tracking capability, allowing us to monitor storms as they approach. This, along with a bunch of people praying for us has kept us safe and mostly dry.

The biggest issues of the past two days have been heavy traffic and lousy road shoulders. I believe we have experienced our two most dangerous days as we attempt to navigate the highways while avoiding truck and passenger car fly-bys. I am amazed that some drivers feel it is their right to zoom by within 2 or 3 feet of our shoulders at high speeds. I couldn’t imagine doing this to other cyclists or pedestrians.

We did get 15 miles today with a tailwind. It was great. In professional cycling, there are always specialists on teams. Some are climbers, some are time trial specialist and so on. I think I am a down hill – wind at my back specialist. I believe I could be an attribute to a team that is looking for someone who is good at gliding downhill with a tailwind. That would be me. I suppose I am too late for Le Tour de France, but at least I found my natural calling before I quit riding.

Anyway, with any luck, we should enter into Georgia tomorrow. We estimate that we have 415 miles remaining on this venture. Every day, I am reminded that this trip isn’t over yet. We have to pedal the last 415 miles one rotation at a time.