Cairo Wildcat Century

FAQ

• Why "wildcat"?


As in "wildcat strike," being unauthorized and lacking institutional support. I'm referring to this as a "wildcat" century because support and planning are minimal, and organization is pretty much lacking.


• Why this route?


I've wanted to do this ride for a couple of years, ever since I was out riding and wound up down at Wyatt.  I saw the sign for the bridge and Cairo, and I had this urge to cross over and come back on the Illinois side.  I didn't, though, partly because it was about 95 degrees that day, and mostly because my car was in Scott City.  


•  How cool is the t-shirt?


Totally.


• What's the weather likely to be on April 26?


Well, it's looking okay so far.  Please knock on something wood now. 


• Do you have an idea on the total feet of elevation climbed?
  
  If you look at the route in mapmyride.com
  (http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/mo/cape-girardeau/1113370013),
  you can open the "show elevation" tab and get a general idea.
  
  Their estimate of 212 ft is just wrong, but looking at the elevation profile, I'd guess the total climb is maybe 600 ft. There are a couple of good-sized climbs. Neither is a real killer. The steeper one is around mile 20, between Chafee and New Hamburg, and it's about 150 feet. We're crossing Crowley's ridge there. The other is on IL 3 approaching Thebes, around mile 90, and is probably 200 feet, but pretty spread out. There are some other small ups and downs. The middle 60 miles of it is dead flat, though.
   
• Where do you plan to have rest stops (towns) for refueling, water or Powerade?
  
  What is this "planning" of which you speak?  Wildcat, remember?  But we'll pass through various towns that have convenience stores -- here they are with mileages:
  
  5 Gordonville (Nope, burned down a long time ago)
  11 Dutchtown (I think that one is closed too)
  16 Chaffee ?
  27 Benton (McDonalds and convenience store)
  48 Charleston (Convenience stores, etc.)
  55 Wilson City/Wyatt (No, there's not much there)
  60 Birds Point (Sag wagon will meet us there for lunch - see below)
  65 Cairo (Liquor stores seem to be about the only businesses)
  85 Olive Branch (Convenience store)
  100 East Cape Girardeau
  
   
• Where is the lunch stop going to be?
  
  Bird's Point is around halfway.  My charming wife and her friend will drive sag, and they plan to meet us before the Cairo bridge at Birds Point, mile 60. They can bring coolers and such, and then escort us across the bridge and through Cairo.
   
• What is your expected average speed?
  
  I'm old and slow.
  
  We averaged 16.1 mph on the 55 mile Advance Winter Loop in 2008 (rolling average, not counting stops), and I'm usually slower than that. 
  
  My idea of how this ride works is that we agree on a few gathering points where the faster people wait for any stragglers, regroup, then start off again together.
  
  Anybody who wants to go faster is free to do as they please, of course. Wildcat, remember.
   
• Any post celebration activities planned?
  
  Again, Wildcat, but I think post celebration sounds great, and I'm open to suggestions.



• What about T-shirts?


They're ordered, and I'll collect the $15 at the ride.


• Who's in charge?


Nobody.  Nobody assumes any responsibility for anything that happens on this ride.  We don't certify that the route is appropriate for biking, or that you're fit enough to do it, or that you will survive the trip, or anything else.  You're out for a ride, and so are we, and it'll be nice to see you. Bicycling is inherently dangerous.  You're on your own.

Home