Hopkins 4K for Cancer

June 18, 2003

Longest day... IN THE WORLD!
Today was the longest day of the whole trip. I calculated 122 miles total from St. Louis, Missouri to Jefferson City, Missouri. It took hours getting out of the city due to unexpected hills and traffic lights. I think we averaged less than 10 mph as we were escorted out of St. Louis.



Even knowing that today would be long, everyone still their time. The KATY trail was gorgeous. It was a totally different change in scenery, I felt like I was on a safari or something. Things went well until little Pat got a flat. It was unfortunate because it was just him and me, and I had no pump, and a cell phone that wouldn’t work. If it weren’t for Dave and Rajeev, I would have been eaten alive by mosquitoes.



As the sun started setting, there was a definite pressure to finish the trip. But due to exhaustion, every mile appeared to take forever. Pat and I reached the finish a little after 9 pm and asked to wait for the others. It would have been nice if it weren’t for the little bloodsuckers.



Oh, another side note. This was my first day to wear clipless pedals. The best investment I have ever made. Many thanks to the Clayton family for the food and ride.