South East Missouri Ride Jan. 4 to Jan. 6, 2008

[ajayhawkfan]

On Thursday, January 3th I checked the weather and it looked like the weekend would be perfect for a riding/geocaching trip. I decided to head south because that is where the weather looked best. I left work early on Friday and headed south. The temperature was in the 40's with clouds and damp feeling in the air making it a chilly ride. I road gravel and alphabet highways, west of 71 Highway, to Joplin and stayed the night.

When I got started Saturday I dressed like I did on Friday. That was a mistake. In no time it was in the high 50's and sunny. I soon stripped out of some layers headed south. I road south to the point where Arkansas/Oklahoma/Missouri meet picking up geocaches along the way. By mid afternoon the temperature hit 70 and sunny! I road back to Joplin for the night.

On Sunday the day started in the 50 but cloudy. I road NE towards Stockton Lake. It turned sunny by mid morning and my 1:00 it was over 70 degrees. Another beautiful Day!!! I road gravel almost all the way to Harrisonville.

The total trip was 560 miles and I picked up 30+ caches along the way. I got to see some beautiful scenery and road some very remote roads. It was a great day to be out. A great first ride of 2008!

If you are interested in seeing the pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/ajayhawkfan/SEMO14To1608

[troy]

560 miles and 30+ caches?! Success! Nice photos (as usual). Glad you got out and kicked off 2008 right.

I sure wish I had a big bike like yours. I love my trail riding, but I'd love to have a machine to do 300 comfortable miles at 70 MPH, too. I shall not want...I shall not want...I shall not....

[ajayhawkfan]

I found a lot of places I want to revisit.