July 3rd. Kirksville to Quincy, IL.

July 3rd. Kirksville to Quincy, IL. Elevation 488 ft. 97 miles. Today was the day everyone dreaded, but expected-we were overdue for a heavy down pour. I dressed in a complete rain gear-rain pants, booties, and a red rain proof jacket. The irony is that I didn't get wet from the rain, but from my own perspiration. The endless, continuous hills took its toll on our hamstrings. The rain and the strong headwinds made it more difficult. Rub Swordly from Pennsylvania, Tom Montville and I rode together. Met Michelle, had a piece of pie and loaded our bicycle into the van to be shuttled across the flooded Mississippi. As we were shuttled across the Mississippi River from Missouri to Qunicy,IL, we saw the excessive sand and sand bags in an effort to reinforce the levees.