{"id":17412,"date":"2015-08-05T21:28:32","date_gmt":"2015-08-06T01:28:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=17412"},"modified":"2015-08-07T07:50:04","modified_gmt":"2015-08-07T11:50:04","slug":"day-27-thursday-august-6-denison-to-jefferson-iowa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=17412","title":{"rendered":"Day 27. Thursday, August 6 – Denison to Jefferson, Iowa"},"content":{"rendered":"

The hazy sun was our eastward beacon,\u00a0steaming\u00a0the evening moisture off the fields.\"DSCN5958\"<\/a>\u00a0Since crossing the Missouri River three days ago, the humidity has been significantly higher and this morning\u00a0was no exception; 70\u00b0 felt warm with 94% humidity. \u00a0 Tracks on one side and hills on the other,\"DSCN5961\"<\/a> resumed from yesterday, but today we enjoyed\u00a0a newly paved shoulder, we did not have to share with a rumble strip. \u00a0Up to this point, Iowa has the<\/strong><\/em> worst roads, but the traffic, especially tractor trailers, have been very respectful of our limited space.<\/p>\n

We had a flat road for the first twelve wonderful miles. \"DSCN5977\"<\/a>\u00a0As we approached\u00a0the crest of our first hill,\"DSCN5970\"<\/a> the wind met our shoulder and carried us over. \u00a0The forecast had been for a southeast blow, but instead it was southwest. \u00a0Not knowing if or when it might change, we flew up and down the easy (relative to the last few days) rolling hills.\"DSCN5983\"<\/a> \u00a0This wind direction also brought clouds,\"DSCN5971\"<\/a> shielding the sun and\u00a0creating a foggy look on the horizon; \"DSCN5974\"<\/a>we felt like a ghost ship riding the road. \u00a0We made the best of the cool temps, slight tail wind and the few things along the way that made us laugh\"DSCN5966\"<\/a>\u00a0(maybe we are a bit crazy)!<\/p>\n

A southerly turn in our course quickly slowed our pace as the wind made us notice. \u00a0We also lost our nice shoulder and the place we thought we were stopping for refreshments and rest, did not exist. \u00a0With nowhere to really stop, we pulled out a couple snacks and forged on. \u00a0After a few miles the road thankfully, resumed it’s east direction; our tired legs needed the wind. \u00a0The day remained so overcast, this barn\"DSCN6001\"<\/a>really stood out. \u00a0By noon\u00a0we reached our destination, but we were so hungry and tired, we biked right past the hotel to find food; \"DSCN6006\"<\/a>great solution. \u00a0In four and a half hours of biking, we had taken only a total of 15 minutes of rest, so we stayed a bit. \u00a0By the time we left to\u00a0backtrack to our hotel the day was still cool (80\u00b0)\u00a0and\u00a0the wind had picked up, but it was time to stop for the day.<\/p>\n

According to the map, we would have to bike in town for dinner, but a casino across the street had opened just three weeks ago (not yet on Google radar). \u00a0There were a lot<\/em> of kinks they still needed to work out, but the Mac ‘n Cheese was ridiculous…\"DSCN6015\"<\/a>..at least a pound of cheese (and bacon and ham) in this plate. \u00a0Just what the doctor ordered after 57 miles.<\/p>\n\n\t\t