Day 22...Back on the Trail...

It was a chilly morning in Hamilton, AL. Temperatures were in the high 40's ...!!!!....but at least it was sunny and it was SUPPOSED to reach into the upper 70's! We put on our arm warmers, packed up our bikes and set off, headed for a new state: Mississippi. Our first stop was 50 miles away in Tupelo, MI, birthplace of Elvis!

Sitting outside the house Elvis was born in!

We battled some head wind (traveling west) and a few hills but the terrain was definitely an improvement from yesterday. The sun blazed and, indeed, it warmed up to 80! The black bike kit I was wearing (Spokespeople bike kit, of course) absorbed all that sun and made my internal temperature rise. We stopped for fluid refills and when we reached Tupelo, we had a nice lunch with Jim. 

Holding Elvis' Hand :-)

About 5 miles out of town we turned onto Natchez Trace Parkway. We were FINALLY back on the Adventure Cycling bike trail (we had spent the past 5 days finding our own way between the Transamerica and Great Rivers trails so as not to head unnecessarily north, which would add over 200 miles). 

Riding on Natchez Trace Parkway

The Natchez Trace Parkway follows the approximate path of the Natchez Trace which extends 444 miles from Natchez, MS to Nashville, TN. This is a designated bike route (very bike friendly) and no commercial traffic is allowed! We will be riding this road for the next 155 miles or so! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natchez_Trace

Today was a short day, only 61 miles in the saddle. Tomorrow we plan to hit the road early and get at least 85 miles in. Oh, by the way, my bike computer is STILL not working. I've put a call into the Cateye people and despite urges from my dad, Kevin and Jim, I refuse to get a new bike computer. I can fix this. I just need a little help ;-)