Run Flats and Beat the Rain - Hazen to West Helena.

The almost 70 miles seemed to go very quickly.  The eight-mile stretch we had worried about went very smoothly.  Much of the road had been improved since the 2009 Google Earth photographs, plus the traffic was very light.  We had contemplated we would be limited to about eight mph, and would need to pull off onto the “closed shoulder” several times.  Instead, we sailed through in about 30 minutes, with no stops and no anxious moments.  ( Diane had dreamed that  the road had been improved with American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds.  Maybe so!)

We were also lucky to beat the rain, which had been threatening us throughout the last hour of our ride.  During the last 15 minutes, the sprinkles started, but it waited for us to get into our hotel room.   Five minutes later, the skies opened with a major deluge.  Even after two hours, it was still coming down, although it had reached the drizzle stage.

Part of the ride was in and out of marshy areas.   The remainder was agriculture – fields of soy beans, millet, rice and cotton.  Our first snack break of the day was under a beautiful pecan tree.  Roads were mostly great (again, except in the towns), and there were no hills, only a rise here and there.   Unfortunately, the promised westerly winds were not delivered.  We biked into headwinds all day, with only occasional relief provided by tree rows.

First you make the plan then you execute it. Our plan for the day. One cross the White River on the safest bridge.

Two run the narrow section of the US 70 very quickly.

Three, run the flats to West Helena.

And four, beat the rain to the hotel.

Day of swamps.

Rice (no that is not wheat).

And the AGO team in high cotton.

Plus Diane finds a pecan tree.

We may or may not lay over tomorrow in Helena. Stay tuned. Diane and Rob