Hey all,

Sun - 47 miles to Vinita, OK. Chain jumping and skipping. Figured out which gears to use to minimize problems.

Mon - 53 miles to Neosho, MO.

Tue - 78 miles to Springfield, MO. Bottom bracket bearings really got bad. They would not last the next 700 miles and have to be replaced.

Wed - I was stalled in Springfield for a day for bike repairs and adjustments. Problems getting old bottom bracket bearings out. I walked to another bike shop approx 2 miles away to buy necessary part for installation. New chain; new tubes. Got the good-as-new bike from the shop and headed uptown for the end of the second stage of the Tour de Missouri. George Hincapie crossed the line first at the end of the second stage from Clinton, MO. Met Cajunscot and a friend Tuesday night for dinner and visited Cajunscot briefly Wednesday afternoon at his workplace.

Day 5 - I'm in Marshfield at noon now. Can't upload pics at the library here. The weather is perfect for riding and the drivers in Missouri have all been very accommodating. My left knee is bad - feels like it's on fire (but only when I pedal :LOL If it holds out for the next 8 or 9 days, and my supply of ibuprofen is sufficient, I'll have this trip in the bag.

Gotta keep moving along down (or, up) the road.

TTYL, Richard