Day Six

Again no internet service but Jack wanted me to give you an update. Jack wore himself out on the hills of eastern MS so I’m letting everyone know that Jack, Sharon & Chuck made it safely to Natchez State Park. MS is very beautiful with all the various foliage. The visitors’ center was promoting drinking bloody mary’s to avoid a crabby morning and a there was a sign downtown Natchez condoning “A drink a day to keep reality away.” Makes me think they should be careful on MS roads! Jack said the people seemed friendly and eager to talk with them. One gentleman followed them for several miles and pulled in when they stopped for a break just to read the sign and talk with about what they were doing. Today poor Jack he was plagued with flat tires; 5 in all. He said don’t waste your time or money on Slime brand “Scabs” glueless patches or Crank Bros. mini pump. Jack lucked out by finding a nice little bike shop and home of the Natchez cycling club in the back of a western automotive just off the trace. The folks were very helpful and luck for Jack they had 2 tires and 2 tubes with presta stems, albeit 60mm stems! He also picked up some Park Tools glueless “super patches” and tire boots as well as an Innovative CO2 cartridge-type air pump. Now watch, he won’t have another flat! Well, we can hope so.

The 15 miles from the bike shop to the park was a very trying ride. What usually goes by in 1.5 hours took them 3.5 hours. The hills are rolling and quite long on the trace near Natchez. And the roads off of the trace are incredibly steep! In fact he said a 16” gear may still be too big! Thanks to all the great folks in Louisiana! You have a beautiful state and they never felt estranged while passing through.

Tomorrow is a short ride to a primitive bicycle camp at the old townsite of Rocky Springs on the trace. It’s about 45 miles though if the hills keep coming it will be an all-day ride. Jack spent an hour at camp this evening removing all extemporaneous gear and managed to jettison about 4 more pounds of gear. After that he ate about a pound! :0) Let’s hope it flattens out a little bit for them.

Thanks to all of you for the encouragement, kind words and support for Jack and the Wounded Warrior Project. Thanks also to Chuck & Sharon for helping Jack on his mission. Thanks to Soldiers’ Angels for the TerraTrike, the gear and the support! Thank you very much to Toby Nunn for helping to make this happen. Thanks and a shout out to his “brother” Anthony Mulheron for the B.O.B. You’re a good friend Anthony. Thanks and a shout out to his “brother” Latseen Benson and Matt Lammers. Keep riding Benson! Congrats to Matt and his new bride Mary on the coming of their first child! Shout to Webster Bicycle in Webster, TX. Thanks for the support guys!

Jack will share pictures when they get to Jackson, MS on their day off this Thursday. Wow! 8 days straight pedaling! HOOAH! Now that’s “ARMY STRONG”.