Day 4 was billed as an easy day - only 77 miles from Abbeville to Morgan City with a stop in Avery Island to tour the Tobasco factory. We had a Cajun breakfast at Caffe Maria's. The couche couche (prounounced cush cush) was great. We made a quick 18 mile run into Avery Island and had fun resting under the big trees on the river at the entrance as the bikes and the Tour du Rouge entourage made their way onto the island. Then we were shuttled to the factory and the Country Store where you can buy all things Tobasco. The tour was great.
After we left Avery Island, the serious riding began and the accidents began to happen. A guy who had been riding with us earlier that morning got tangled up with another rider and went dowThey took him to the next rest stop where he kept saying he couldn't remember a thing. He didn't seem quite right so we checked his helmet which told the story - the foam padding was cracked in two places which meant he had taken a serious hit and needed to go to the hospital. Hopefully, he can resume the Tour tomorrow.
I had my first accident a couple blocks from our lunch stop in Franklin. We had a left hand turn coming up. I was slowly passing a truck on the left at a stop light. A lady was jaywalking but I couldn"t see her because of the truck. We almost collided as she came around the front of the truck. I decided that taking myself down was better than a collision so I did. My left leg scraped against the curb - the rest of me fell on the grassy strip. I ended up laying on my left shoulder still clipped to my pedals with my bike up in the air to avoid damage. I must say that was one of my best falls ever. Wish I would have had the presence of mind to get a picture for the blog.
Today, we were unable to beat the old man from New Mexico who devised a good strategy to beat us. He left Avery Island while we were waiting for everybody in our group to get shuttled back and then he had very short rest stops while we took our time. In addition to a good strategy, he also had strong legs and a lot of heart to ride against all that wind by himself.
Tonight we are staying at a nice Holiday Inn with comfortable beds and a laundromat. Went into downtown Morgan City for a great Cajun dinner and a Cajun band which provided great entertainment.
Tomorrow is going to be another 95 mile day to Gonzalez. Rumor has it that we will have some tailwind for the first time on this Tour. My body sincerely hopes so.
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