I decided to do a 100 miler today instead of tomorrow as there was more choice of motels in Carroll than Jefferson, plus it then gives me a shorter day into Onawa for my rest day.
There was no breakfast at the noisy motel, only coffee, so possibly the most expensive stay of my trip so far in terms of value! Ah well.
A short way out of Marshalltown and back on the US 30, I came across an antique and model motor engine show. They had old tractors plowing the fields and steam engines running for people to ride on. Quite a nice sight!
A little way up the road I cycled past Nevada, the town, which had on its sign the '26th best small town in America'. What a claim to fame!
Some parts of the US 30 weren't as nice as other bits. Some sections had a narrow shoulder with short rumble strips every couple of metres, annoying to have to weave around so I hugged the white line as much as I could. Some sections even had no shoulder, but luckily the traffic on the road was light and most of it was dual laned.
I missed the turning to Ames where I had planned to have lunch, so had to carry on up the road to Boone where I found a Walmart. Potato salad for carbs and to fill me up, and a big pot of fruit (hard to come by with all these fast food restaurants made for truckers!)
More straight lines in the afternoon, which means not many photos today, but at least its progress! This section of my travels is more mentally challenging; trying to keep sane on the dead straight roads! Next will be the physically challenging one; getting through the mountains and desert stages.
I did the 102 miles surprisingly quickly today, averaging 14.2 mph and got to the motel at exactly 5pm. At check in they had pastries for motel guests so I had a sugary snack to tide me over til dinner and went to find my room. Yum! I also collected a bucket of ice for a proper ice bath. Long distance miles need a bit of pain to get your legs to recover quickly! It should also help the ankle too.
Dinner tonight was at the sports bar and grill next door. Fairly average, I had a big bowl of chicken Alfredo linguine, more pasta at least! Pastries and hot chocolate back at the motel!
Miles today: 102.2
Total miles: 1363.7
There was no breakfast at the noisy motel, only coffee, so possibly the most expensive stay of my trip so far in terms of value! Ah well.
A short way out of Marshalltown and back on the US 30, I came across an antique and model motor engine show. They had old tractors plowing the fields and steam engines running for people to ride on. Quite a nice sight!
A little way up the road I cycled past Nevada, the town, which had on its sign the '26th best small town in America'. What a claim to fame!
Some parts of the US 30 weren't as nice as other bits. Some sections had a narrow shoulder with short rumble strips every couple of metres, annoying to have to weave around so I hugged the white line as much as I could. Some sections even had no shoulder, but luckily the traffic on the road was light and most of it was dual laned.
I missed the turning to Ames where I had planned to have lunch, so had to carry on up the road to Boone where I found a Walmart. Potato salad for carbs and to fill me up, and a big pot of fruit (hard to come by with all these fast food restaurants made for truckers!)
More straight lines in the afternoon, which means not many photos today, but at least its progress! This section of my travels is more mentally challenging; trying to keep sane on the dead straight roads! Next will be the physically challenging one; getting through the mountains and desert stages.
I did the 102 miles surprisingly quickly today, averaging 14.2 mph and got to the motel at exactly 5pm. At check in they had pastries for motel guests so I had a sugary snack to tide me over til dinner and went to find my room. Yum! I also collected a bucket of ice for a proper ice bath. Long distance miles need a bit of pain to get your legs to recover quickly! It should also help the ankle too.
Dinner tonight was at the sports bar and grill next door. Fairly average, I had a big bowl of chicken Alfredo linguine, more pasta at least! Pastries and hot chocolate back at the motel!
Miles today: 102.2
Total miles: 1363.7
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