Tuesday 1 May - Dog in my spoke

Booneville - Berea

48 miles
4 hours and 10 minutes in the saddle
30.8 mph max speed
11.4 mph average speed

weather: another gloriously hot and sunny day

Today has been our worst dog day since starting this trip. We have used the pepper spray lots and we have also seen dog roadkill for the first time. A dog that had been hit by a car had just been left to rot by the side of the road right in front of a house. It seems that dogs are not kept as pets here, but rather something that you have because all of your neighbours have dogs.

Today we left early to beat the heat of the day. Alan and Deborah managed to convince Stephen that it is worth starting early on hot days. Stephen now believes that this is not a holiday, but pure punishment for earlier sins. Mette is still having a good time. Although, Stephen admits that it was very nice to arrive in Berea for 12.30, in time for a frappucino at a local coffee shop.

Tomorrow is our first rest day and we are looking forward to it after 13 consecutive days of cycling. We have done 828 miles since starting this trip and our average mileage is around 60 miles per day.

The landscape has gradually been changing, the hills are lower and less intimidating. Berea is on a plain and we had a great view of the town and surrounding area as we descended Big Hill mountain (what a great name!). The soil must be good because farming is more important here. We are impressed by the well tended vegetable patches that pride every property in this area.

We met with Alan and Deborah for dinner at the local Italian restaurant for a bit of carbo refuelling. Alan has reiterated Kristy's recommendation to read Undaunted Courage and tomorrow we will see if we can get it from one of the local bookshops.