April 13, 2025
Tishomingo State Park, Mississippi to Summertown, Tennessee
Last night I managed four solid hours of sleep. My tent was on a slight slope and I made the mistake of orienting it so I was lying perpendicular to the slope. (Sounds mathy?)
At 2:30 am in my struggle to find a comfortable position my left hamstring went into spasm. The cramping was very painful and continued for 15 minutes or so. For the rest of the night. Every time I rolled over I expected the spasm to come back. It didn’t but peaceful sleep was not going to happen.
In light of the scheduled 90-mile day, most of the group opted for a “push”, a lift from the van 20 miles or so into the route.
I opted to ride the whole thing.
I rode alone for the entire day. I stopped at one historical place, the Wichapi Commemorative Stone Wall. It’s a memorial to the Trail of Tears. I could have spent hours there but I had much riding to do.
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The route was hillier than earlier days. Mostly the hills were gradual. In the middle of the ride there was a 20+ mile false flat, a gradual upslope that is harder on your mind than your body.
One saving grace was that I picked up a tailwind for much of the last third of the ride.
I drank two bottles of electrolyte drink, ate two bananas, and drank a Gatorade. I hope they makes for a comfortable, cramp-free night.
I was the last one to arrive at the campsite, the front lawn of an old friend of Jeff, our tour co-leader. The grass was lush and at least three inches tall. Very comfortable for sleeping.
Tomorrow is our last day. It will feature significant climbing and even better tailwinds.
Today's ride: 90 miles (145 km)
Total: 422 miles (679 km)
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