Day 7

Today was challenging. We started off at Kentucky Dam Village. It is a really beautiful state resort park on Kentucky lake. We had a great view over the water and the harbor. I only wished we had more time to enjoy it. We were on the road by just after 8am. The terrain of western KY is a lot different from the mountains of eastern KY, but still present some challenges. I am just glad we start in eastern KY and end in western KY, because by the end of the trip you legs are just tired.

Steven has done really well. The ride can be very grueling at times. But he is such a trouper and just keeps pedaling. We faced some enormous challenges today. Just after lunch we crossed into Illinois and then into Missouri. We were only in Illinois for about 1/2 mile. The bridges approaches were quite a climb and we had to pedal fast to keep in the paceline and cross quickly. We did not want to spend too much time on the brides as they are narrow and we were holding up traffic. The rest of the team provided a great deal of encouragement for Steven and I and made sure we were protected in the middle. The winds where amazingly strong. It was really great of the team to adjust to help us over the bridges. On a tandem your speeds very as the bike is heavy and does not accelerate like a super-light single bike. We also tend to go down hills faster and don't slow as quickly. But the group adjusted for us, so that we would be safe.

The winds where about gusting from 15 to 35 miles an hour and fairly constant. Once you cross into Missouri you are in the river flood plains. The landscape is flat fields with few trees to block the wind. The wind was coming almost straight at us. And for Steven and I it would have been better for us if the wind was coming straight at us, because I would be blocking the wind for Steven. Unfortunately at a slight angle it hits both of us. We went for 17 miles fighting the wind. It was like going the entire way up hill.


We at the famous Lambert "Home of the Throwed Rolls" res truant. Voted the best place to pig out by the travel channel. The food and atmosphere were great. They literally throw the rolls across the place to you. Just hold up you hand and they toss away. Steven thought it was really cool.


We ended the day with Lee Anne Turner sharing her musical talents with us. It was a great way to wrap up the day.

Today sort of started the bittersweet end. Today was the last full day of riding. Tomorrow we start out with a quick 43 mile ride to Union City TN. Then we have lunch pack up and head for home. We should arrive back in Louisville around 8:00pm.

Thank you everyone for your encouragement and donations.

--Bill