Day 41: St. Francisville to Hammond, Louisiana

Day 41: St. Francisville to Hammond, Louisiana
Miles: 96.09 ------------ Total Mileage 2,329.07
Theme: A Twist with Every Turn

Today everyone was chomping at the bit to get out on the road. We had to wait until 7:15 before we could take off as some of the group had stayed at an Inn in the town of St. Francisville while the rest of us were at the Butler Greenwood B&B just outside of town. So the guides had us both leaving from different places and wanted us to meet up around the 16 mile mark so we could then gather our snacks for the day. We were all like little kids waiting to open up Christmas presents --- antsy and excited to get going. It was sad to leave the beauty and quiet of the B&B, but the road was definitely calling us back. And so off we went once again.

It was a cool morning (50 degrees when we started) and most of us wore jackets for the first time in awhile. It seemed like no time had passed when we meet up with those staying in town - and yet we had gone 16 miles. At this pace the long day of 87.2 miles that was mapped out didn't seem like it would be much of a problem. The terrain consisted of some rolling hills. The scenery was lovely and the riding was easy - a perfect combination! I was riding in the "Royal Court" today. It consisted of Queen Victoria, Princess Fiona and then Tex - our minion. We rode at a great pace today and kept each other entertained!

As I mentioned the scenery was beautiful. However like many things as we came around a corner there was a twist. In this setting of beauty with white fences lining the road and extending for miles - there was a 2nd fence just a little further back. It was chain link and barbed wire. Inside were men walking round and round the small penned in areas. One would expect to see horses inside the confines of the white fences - but instead there were men. It was so startling - the lush green beauty and the prison garb, the towers... Like earlier on the trip when we saw literally hundreds of border patrol officers in their vehicles, I again felt a sense of sadness. Here where there should be horses grazing in the fields, instead we have men behind bars. I don't have answers to these problems, but there has to be a better way of dealing with the issues like crime and illegal immigration than what we are currently doing. Seeing this contrast in the beauty of the land and the imprisonment of men certainly made me pause and think.

With these thoughts floating around my head it took no time at all until we reached the 2nd sag. The "Royal Court" was making good time today! We stopped, had a bite to eat... and headed down the road again. Just a few miles down the road we made some turns and were on LA (Louisiana) 64. The Sag had just passed us - as well as Linda and Carol in the van and trailer. We waved and gave the thumbs up and pedaled on. Just a few minutes later we saw the Sag coming back toward us. It is never a good thing to see one of our bikers or the support vehicles coming back toward you. We learned that out the road ahead is closed. A bridge is out (has been under repair for quite some time) and we can't go on our intended route. Another twist in the day. Everything was going so smoothly -- our pace was great - our spirits high, and then we came to a dead halt. Linda and Carol had to scout an alternative route while we all sat and waited and waited. Eventually everyone caught up us - so there we 15 riders by the side of the road - just waiting to get new directions. This little twist ended up taking about an hour, and we had to ride an additional 7 or 8 miles of riding to get to the other side of the bridge.

Everyone was extremely good natured however and took it all in stride. We ate some snacks, filled our water bottles... Once Linda and Carol had confirmed the new route (they actually drove it), they called back to Young Pup who then relayed the new directions to all of us. You can imagine what it was like for Young Pup to give new directions to 15 strong women who are all 2 to 3 times her age! She did a great job and we all got back on track without further delay.

And so we pedaled on. Victoria, Tex and I continued as the "Royal Court." We met up with the Sag just one more time --- and then we were on our own. Like Lise and Nancy we out ran the Sag - and had called Lisa to let her know that we were too far ahead and were just going to finish up without another sag stop. We all had enough water on us and only had about 14 miles left. I didn't make sense to stay out in the heat and wait for the sag when we were so close. . Our day ended up being just under a century. Victoria thought about riding circles in the parking lot to get her odometer to 100, but we talked her out of it. It was another great day of riding, a good time to reflect, fabulous scenery and the company was superb. Even with the twists and turns to the day --- it was a great day to ride a bike!