I started out today heading north towards Simmesport. It was so drizzly and foggy, I decided to use my GPS and see if I could find a different route. I was surprised to see that New Roads was only about 60 miles from Ville Platte. Using the Adventure Cycling maps, it was almost 100 miles. So, I saved 40 miles and rode directly to New Roads. I ended up riding 64.5 miles. Much better than a 100. So now, I’ve gained back part of my rain day’s mileage. I had to cross the Morganza Spillway on U.S. 190. It was a bridge above the swamp that was over 2 miles long. No stopping and no bike lane. I’m glad it was on a Sunday with less traffic. During the week, I’m sure I would have caused a traffic jam. The ride today started drizzly, but ended up nice and sunny with a slight tailwind. Easy riding. I’m going off route again tomorrow, so I can stop at a motel at around 70 miles instead of over 100 via the maps. Here’s the map from today and some pictures.

I’m pretty sure these are FEMA trailers, either never used or used briefly. There were hundreds of them. I think this is a levee or at least some sort of flood control. Here too. The bridge in the distance goes over the Atchafalaya river.

The Atchafalaya river.

This is looking back after I crossed over the Morganza Spillway.

This is the False river. The Mississippi decided to change it’s path in the 1700s and left this 10.5 mile lake behind. 

Lots of very expensive homes surround the lake.

Now that’s a big beer.  Here’s the motel. They’re nice folks and take good care of cyclists. They always hold a room or two back just in case a weary cyclist rolls in.

Tomorrow, the plan is to make it Hammond, LA, which is a little over 70 miles. If I see a motel along the way after 50 miles, I’ll probably stop there instead.

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