May 15-16

On paper, May 15 might seem like a day of particular accomplishment on the Bicycle Route 66 section of my cross-country journey. On my approximately 70-mile route on this day, I rode in three states and managed my way through two rain showers. 

The day started in Vinita, Oklahoma, with ominous clouds darkening the sky and weather forecasts predicting I was going to get wet. Fortunately, weather apps now have radar displays that are highly accurate in predicting when and where rainfall can be expected. Based on what the radar on my phone was showing, I had a good chance of getting at least half of my route completed before I ran into rainfall.

As predicted, I was several miles north of Miami, Oklahoma — about 35 miles into my ride — when dark clouds moved in. The temperature dropped what seemed like at least 10 degrees. Fat raindrops began to fall. Thunder started rumbling. The smell of rain filled the air. I had enough years growing up in the Midwest to know that these were all signs that I had better look for shelter fast. The clouds were about to open. 

In another one of those inexplicable moments that I've experienced on this trip, I spotted a sign for a 3M plant just up the road.  The driveway into the plant was lined with trees, so I initially thought I would just hang out under one of those and keep relatively dry. But then I noticed a little outbuilding (away from the plant's main entrance) that had an awning on the down-wind side that would keep me dry.

As the temperature grew chilly, I opened up one of my bike bags and dug out my cold-weather and rain gear. I then had just enough time to record this video before the skies opened up. I shot the second video of the downpour.

It rained for about 30 minutes. I checked my radar again. It showed the worst of the downpour had moved on, but a tail on the storm cell might pass over me farther down the road, in about an hour.  But there was no use sitting around at that moment. I got back on my bike.

In just a few miles, I crossed the border into Kansas. A few miles later, raindrops started falling again. I spotted a beautiful, brick home just off the road, with a wide driveway that led to a portico between the house and garage. Perfect! I cruised up the drive, made a U-turn in the portico and stood over my bike's top tube for a few minutes to see what would develop.

Just then the door to the house opened and an elderly gentleman poked his head out.

"Kinda wet out there, huh?"

"Yes, it is! It looks like it's about to open up again. Would you mind if I wait it out here?"

"That's fine. Stay dry. Be safe out there!"

He closed the door and I didn't see him again. I sat there for another 30 minutes or so — dozing off from time to time — and got back on the road when the last few drops were falling. The darkest clouds had passed and my radar app showed I would be in the clear for the rest of the day.

About the only other thing to keep track of was how many Route 66 signs Kansas could squeeze into the remaining miles. Bicycle Route 66 cuts across the southeast corner of the state, for all of about 10 miles. In that short distance, the state of Kansas has easily packed in more signs and celebrations of Route 66 per mile than any other state.

And so, when I got to the Missouri state line, I was eager to see what the Show Me State was going to show me for its welcome. Alas, this was the only thing:

That Historic Byway sign is the only Route 66 sign I would see for the rest of the day as a pedaled into Joplin, Missouri. We definitely were not in Kansas anymore.

Contact me: Thoughts or comments? Email me at richardridesusa@gmail.com.

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