Big BAM Day 1: Columbia-Perry

A nice 71 mile day, sunny with blues skies.  Only the 15 to 20 mph headwinds could detract from an otherwise great first day!!

At 7:30 part of our team assembled for take-off. From left to right we have Bill Amos, his sister Judy Ousley, Steve Richards, Jim Dean and John Garrett.  Missing from the picture is Bill Wiltsch, Bill Amos’ sister Becky and husband Dan Cogdill who got an earlier start and sister Sheri Huber who is graciously hauling our gear from point to point. 

Most of the day our landscapes and roads looked like this. Other than when we left Columbia during Monday morning rush hour, and a few miles around Mexico, MO,  the roads were mostly devoid of traffic and most of those drivers were conscientious of our space on the road. 

Lunch at 10AM at the John Deere Tractor Dealer in Mexico. We were making good time so far and the wind hadn’t been to much of a factor yet. 

That’s John in the foreground and Bill just behind him. 

Bill’s sister Judy enjoys her turkey sub and chips. 

Leaving Mexico we found the wind was picking up and we were heading right into it. 

I found a nice fixer-upper if anyone is interested, right off of highway B. 

Have I mentioned the wind??

Around 1:30 after 64 miles most of us had arrived at the formal end point of the first day of Perry, MO. 

Jimmy quickly found a horizontal spot in the shade to take advantage of. 

 

Before leaving the Perry Town Park where most of the Big BAM riders are camping we got a complete picture of team “Amos Family & Friends”.  Left to right is Jim, Bill Wiltsch, Bill Amos, sister and our Sherpa for the week, Sheri Huber, Judy, Becky & Dan, John, Steve and me. 

The group isn’t into camping with the masses so Amos found us the South Fork “Resort” for our abode for the night, about 7 miles down the road. It was basic but had a great  outdoor space to gather and talk about food and our sore spots. 

Becky and Dan’s 20 year old son John, who’s studying this Summer at Mizou for an actuary exam, brought us home made baked Ziti, salad and home made cookies for dinner. It made a good day into a great day as we filled our bellies with wonderful food (and beer)!!  Thank you John!!