February 22, 2016 – Rain, 65 degrees

Miles Today: 54

Miles to Date: 12,176

States to Date: 29

Louisiana continues to be kind to me, even in pouring rain. I woke at dawn, helped my host with a few chores, and pedaled east by 8:00 a.m. The forecast was 50% chance of thunderstorms, but the sky was matte grey rather than turbulent. Within a few miles the first drops began to spatter. Their intensity increased with each mile. By the time I reached the causeway across the Intercostal Waterway sheets of water careened over the pavement. Fortunately the wind was mild, the pavement good, and traffic light. Although there was no shoulder for most of my route, only twice did vehicles approach each other when passing me. Each time I pulled to the side and allowed them to pass. The drivers actually waved in appreciation. I never saw that in Texas.

I made swift time: fifty miles to Lafayette by 1:00 p.m. I was very hungry. By happy coincidence Golden Corral was along my route. I planned to stop but when I arrived the parking lot was packed, including a tour bus. The thought of so many hefty people bellying up to the buffet line checked my appetite. Next-door was a Chinese buffet. I figured it must be good to compete with a national chain, and I was right. Buffet City is the best Chinese buffet to date: excellent sushi, delicious fish, and tasty Chinese food. After my run-through with crab boil last night I passed on the local specialty, though most diners heaped their plates with crawfish. The clientele was notably diverse: oil workers, Asians, African-Americans, and a party of three Black guys with three White girls and four interracial children between them. Still, everyone shared extra pounds in common. I was the skinniest person there, aside from the waver-thin wait staff. All you can eat buffets are great for hungry bicyclists, but a contributing factor to our national obesity epidemic.

The rain abated after a writing break. I cycled to my warmshowers hosts for an enjoyable evening of bike tales and Cajun hospitality.