Day 15

Day 15

6-4-14

Monticello KY to Cookeville TN

We had to make changes to our route to find a place to spend the night. This would in fact end up being  a good thing. The new route will take us east to Cookeville Tennessee.

Again there would be no shortage of hills today as they continue to punish us.  It seems they just keep coming with no end in sight for the moment. Lucky for us we had a slight break in the climbing action near the end of the day but still logged in nearly 7300 feet of climbing.

The dogs are still on the prowl looking for Connecticut cyclist.  One of marauding outlaw canines got ahold of Joe’s rear pannier as he was making evasive maneuvers to avoid a nip.  The dog’s owner saw the action going on in the street and came to grab his pooch.

As we approached our final destination Cookeville, TN the sky started darkening.  This part of the country is known for violent rapidly forming thunderstorms. With only 7 miles to go, the closer we got to town the more it looked like we were going to get dumped on. 

Three other cyclist caught up with us pedaling fast as they were also trying to avoid the inevitable soaking.  They asked where we were going and a few questions about our journey as we all rode with the “hammer down” hoping to avoid the inevitable soaking.  You guys need to swing by my shop only it’s only 3 miles ahead and have a beer with us one of the riders said.

Ken told them we were going to try and make our hotel before we get wet.  “You’re not going to make it that far the weather is on us, you would be better to pull in and wait it out with a beer”.

We knew he was right so the pace quickened and we headed to his shop. About a mile later the rain started and the soaking began.   When we pulled in to his optometrist office we were drenched.

Once under cover the three cyclist wanted to treat us to some Tennessee hospitality.  They wanted to buy us dinner and brews.  An offer to load our bikes in their truck and take us to the hotel was turned down as we need to ride the entire route. So we blasted off to the hotel in the pouring rain.

After we showered they picked us up in the lobby and took us to a local pub for dinner.  What cool dudes these guys are.  They knew everyone in the place.  Quickly the proclaimed “Beer Mayor” came over to our table bringing over a couple “free” beers.   A hilarious dude with dreadlocks. We had a good meal and a few beers when the town’s “real” mayor came over to our table to shake our hands and welcome us to his town.

The cyclist Doug Lloyd, Jason Clopton and Art Gernt really treated us well.  After the meal they returned us to our hotel.  How good was that??  We had a great time and good food and beer.  This reinforces something we already know, this country is full of good people. Real good people.  That’s two great meals in just a few days.  The Kushman feast and now this. We are on a roll!

Weather 84 degrees Sun/Clouds/Downpour

90 Miles

7272 Feet of Climbing