November 20

The neighbor got quiet as soon as the race ended. I was restless through the night, thinking that I would be cold, but I never was, except for my feet, which get cold as soon as I start pedaling, and never really warm up. Thing is, I hadn't noticed this until last night when I felt my feet and they felt very cold to my hands, but not to themselves. They feel warm to themselves in the sleeping bag.

Got up to a dry tent, had oatmeal and tea for breakfast, took a hot shower, and was on the road to Baton Rouge at 8:45. I need new tires for the trip into Mexico. My front tire is bald on the side on which I habitually stand on the pedal to give my poor bum some relief. Got give the other pedal equal time. I got on Highway 61 by 9:00, and I'm still on it at the Shades Motel, if not exactly in Baton Rouge then very close. I had visions of a lively city, with coffeehouses, bookstores, bars and cafes. Perhaps, somewhere, but not near the Shades. Macy's, Sears, Home Depot, Wendy's, MacD's, and of course Wal Mart, where I bought $32 of food and worried about the bike getting stolen.

I called Dave, of Dave's Bike Repairs about a pair of new tires. But first I had gone to Academy Sports (remember them from Gulf Port) to see what they might have. I felt that my disappointment in their selection of camp stoves had prejudiced me towards what else they might offer. It did, and rightfully. The guy who recommended them said that they were the Wal-Mart of sporting goods, and he nailed it. They have nothing worth using. Except, I hope, clothes, because I bought a pair of jeans and a belt. My old ones are too big, no matter how much I eat. Anyway, Dave has the tires I want and will bring them to the motel early tomorrow morning and put them on the bike. He works by appointment, and does long tours alone whenever he can. Meanwhile the weather remains cold, and the wind out of the northwest. I'll settle for that if the alternative is tornados.