What a difference not having to deal with rain and lightning and potential tornados makes. Despite the fact that today's ride was a very hilly 174 miles, the beautiful weather made it very pleasant. The first 120 miles was typical eastern Oklahoma rolling hills and the last 54 miles were massive climbs that were in places 12-15 percent grades. I was still tired from yesterday but still ended up finishing in the first five riders in to the hotel. The last 50 miles was on what is known as the Talimena Parkway, which is a lightly trafficked road traveling east/west through the Ozark Mountains. I have no idea how its construction was ever justified because there is very little traffic on it. It reminds me a lot of the Blue Ridge Parkway except there is almost no one around. The scenic pull offs were almost completely empty. The road itself had some motorcycles and a few cars and other than that it was empty. In the winter the road must be almost completely deserted. But it sure made it nice for cycling.
Tomorrow we ride partway across Arkansas to Monticello. It is a 184 mile day with some hills but not a lot of climbing. By Pactour Elite standards it would be a moderate day as far as difficulty goes.
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