At peace ... Susan and fellow east-west transamer Jeff take comfort in the knowledge that the next stage of the journey looks much flatter.
July 11 2006.
Number of mosquito bites on legs: 22
Number of miles cycled: Around 650
Circumference of thighs: inconclusive owing to 22 extra lumps.
A typical day cycling in Kentucky for Susan Greenwood (aka Green Hornet/ Lightening Bug) usually ends up with her bombing through the basin of a dramatic mountain range, dotted with classic farms and barns, blowing on a whistle for all she's worth, while four to five dogs chase her down. For fun. She would reach for the pepper spray except she's just hit a hill, is beginning to slow down and if she took a hand off the handlebars she would swerve off the side of the road and down a ditch. Oh look! There's a coal truck coming the other way, what joy!
Gasping, she stops at the only grocery store for 40 miles to pick up a bottle of Southern Belle chocolate milk (Scott, you were right!) and begins a conversation which is now familiar. Yes I'm from England, no I do not wish to share my views about George Bush as you are carrying a shotgun and yes if you could possibly remove your dog from my leg I would certainly appreciate it.
After resting for enough time to recuperate, she remounts her Jamis bike to which she is now emotionally very attached, and pedals off. Despite the fact that her legs now resemble upturned Jack Daniels bottles, four days of 70-mile rides have left them with as much strength as soggy spaghetti. Remembering her sister's classic advice - pull yourself together woman - no not that one, rather what goes up must come down, she hauls herself up the final hill before Booneville and coasts down into a town where, like in so many counties in Kentucky, booze is banned. Undaunted, she finds refuge in the Booneville Presbyterian Church, meets another east-west transamer, locates a shower and thanks the lord for Presbyterians before dining on a meal of local to-mate-tus, pay-pers, cay-ruts and ham.
She would have slept like a log except she left her tent flap open and ants are now crawling on her face.
Kentucky is actually looking up people! Stage two complete, stage three is looking much flatter ...
