Trish & Phill's Tandem TransAmerican

Tour 2003 

Jun 5 Eminence - Houston (45mi)

This was a really tough day for us.  We thought we had seen the last of the hills in Kentucky but not a chance the hills in the Ozarks are just as cruel as all the others some of them were so steep it was a painful ordeal to walk up pushing the bike. Only cyclists would probably understand this but once you got to the top no master how hard it was there was also a feeling of achievement, people other than cyclist probably think we are just plain nuts, and of course at the top of the hill there is always the down hill on the other side.

This hill although the picture doesn't really give you a realistic view was humongous it was so steep I was actually wondering if we would be able to walk up it let alone try and ride but we did.

We stopped at this little corner shop and as soon as we pulled up the guy goes hi yawl how yawl doin? welcome to Marshfield we have heard all about you Australians and your Tandem, we though wow we are a legend! but one of our fellow cyclists had been there before us and gave him all the low down on what we had been through he was so pleasant and offered any of us a place to stay out back( in his garden of course). Cannot get over how friendly these people are.

We spend a lot of time cycling with Shirley, we pass each other frequently back and forth along the route we actually enjoy having someone else with us, and of course it adds moral support when there's a breakdown or if your not sure of the route there is always another person's interpretation of the map. We also have a lot in common with Shirley and ride about the same pace.

Page owned & maintained by Trish Collins email to  trishphill@aapt.net.au.  Last Updated 28/07/2003