Rest for the weary

We are in Senatobia, MS, tonight after a ride of 62 miles. Senatobia is derived from the Indian word Senatohoba, meaning White Sycamore, a symbol of rest for the weary. There are 19 more weary souls in town tonight, although it remains to be seen how much rest we get as the hotel is less than 100 yards from rumbling trucks on Interstate-55.

Mississippi has the lowest median household income in the country. We saw some indications of its poverty today as we left Clarksdale. There were some very small homes, not larger than my hotel room tonight, and looking quite dilapidated.

We have not had rain while riding, although there was rain in the afternoons over the weekend. Sunday's storm was strong in Clarksdale and evidently quite stronger further north. Several ag fields were flooded. I saw one farmer looking to see if his newly planted field had survived. Several homes that were lower than the road had standing water up to the porches. Their residents were standing on the porches and I commented that it must have been bad last night and they confirmed it.

After pacelining with Gerard and John to the SAG averaging 17.7 mph, I took it easy for the next 12 miles. Upon hitting some rolling hills, I wanted to exercise the climbing legs and took off again. I came on a very rough road with a sign that said road work ahead. There was a bridge under repair after the rough road. Nonetheless, the rough road really worked me over as it did the other riders. Jeff said it was an improvement over two years ago.

Today's dog story--One gave chase to Gerard and I. We were ahead of it when we heard a big thunk. The dog was so intent on us that it ran right smack into an empty trash can on the side of the road. Gerard turned to see the can wobbling. We had a good laugh.

We saw some kudzu formations. Kudzu is a vine introduced to the US from Asia in 1876. It is known as "the vine that ate the South." It is advancing like Sherman's army and the March to the Sea through the south. It can grow a foot a day under ideal conditions. It will overtake anything it grows on, yielding sometimes weird-looking topiary figures. It has now been found in Canada and in Oregon.

Pictures: Flooded field, kudzu formation, and Astana's Contador leading me up the hill to catch other riders. Actually it is the great French rider Gerard Boisse, staff member on the tour.

Highlight of the day: I was passing a Methodist Church in Senatobia when the noon hour came. The church bells were ringing, playing familiar hymns. I stopped and listened for a couple of minutes. Thinking it was over, I left. It started again and I could still hear the bells ringing a quarter mile down the road. Now that was some rest for the weary.

Day's stats: 62.2 miles, 16.4 mph, 955 feet climbing, 700 feet plus after the 41 mile point.