Day 25    Dodge City to Great Bend, KS

Distance: 85 miles

Weather: Started at 70 and probably ended around 70

Terrian: Basically flat and still downhill

Elevation: 1886 ft

Total Climbing:  280ft

 

Today was another great day on the bike.  There was enough headwind for everyone and we got rained on for about 4 hours.  I think that I averaged 11.7 mph on a road that I should have been averaging 14-15 mph.  Oh, well.  The winds and tough days are starting to take there toll on several people.  I think that we have had 3 people in the last 3 days get in the SAG wagon and ride for a little bit.  Two people had to call it quits for the day.  It is unfortunate to see that.  Everyone pitches in and tries to help, but sometimes you just can't go on.  I will not get into the SAG van unless I absolutely have to get in for a physical injury.  If I get in because I just had a mental breakdown I don't think that I would be able to look at myself in the mirror that evening.

Brian, one of the Brits, just walked by and you will never guess what he has in his hand.  A box of wine!  Herb had a wine and cheese party in his room the other day and had a box of wine.  After a couple glasses of wine Brian thought the whole box of wine idea was "brilliant".  He was talking about it at dinner tonight and said that he was going out later to get his own box.  I don't think that anyone took him seriously.  When I just saw him I started laughing.  He was grinning from ear to ear and graciously offered me a glass (actually a styrofome cup).  Wow.  I am sure that nothing hits the spot after a long day in the saddle like a styrofome cup of a boxed wine.  Mmmm.

I am sitting by the pool right now to get better reception on the wireless internet and I can see those of us that are still up and about.  Robert, the Frenchman, just stopped by and started rambling about his alarm clock and wake-up call.  He gets so frazzeled at times it is almost like watching the movie Rainman.  Then he starts speaking some hybrid of French and English.  It is quite a sight. 

Alright, back to the ride.  I rode with Arlene again today.  With the winds being rather strong she was really struggling.  She tucked in behind me and was able to keep a 10-12 mph pace.  She was very grateful when we finally made it to the hotel and told the ride managers that she wouldn't have made it without my help.  She then went on to say that "his mother sure raised him right.  She should be very proud."  Here's to you Mom.  I guess you did good.

I can't really think of anything else eventful for today.  Hopefully the wind will die down so there is more conversation on the road.  If not I can always fill this journal with the top 10 things a dislike about Kansas.  Ha!

Tim

 

This is my type of farm.  It is quiet and doesn't smell. 

 

 

Our SAG stop was at the halfway point of crossing the United States.  It is not our halfway point though.  Those come in the next couple of days.

 

Day 26    Great Bend to McPherson, KS

Distance: 64 miles

Weather: Started at 62 and ended at 74 degrees.  No rain!

Terrian: Mostly flat with some rolling hills

Elevation: 1504 ft

Total Climbing:  600ft

 

Today was another uneventful day.  Jeff and I rode together for most of the day.  Even though there was a mild to moderate headwind/crosswind we made decent time and the ride was pretty easy.  After spending so much time on the bike yesterday I was a little worried about dragging today. 

Believe it or not I have kind of changed my opinion of Kansas, at this part of Kansas.  Somewhere between Dodge City and McPherson I looked up and thought that I was in Northeastern Michigan.  The landscape has become much more green and the amount of trees has increase tenfold.  The farms are smaller and we didn't pass a single feed yard so the smell has improved.  Kansas is still my least favorite state so far, but we still have 8 states to go.

Upon pulling into the hotel this afternoon we have reached the halfway point of the trip in regards to days.  Twenty-six days down and 26 days to go.  Tomorrow we hit the mileage halfway point.  Can you believe it?  The trip is half over already!  I think that I will be back in Michigan before I know it.

 I didn't even pull my camera out of the trunk today.  There wasn't even anything interesting enough to stop and look at.  Maybe tomorrow will be better.  If the winds stop blowing maybe we will be able to talk more on the road.  That may lead to a little more goofing around and some photo ops.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Tim

 

Day 27    McPherson to Abilene, KS

Distance: 65 miles

Weather: Cool and rainy, don't know the temp

Terrian: Mostly flat with some rolling hills

Elevation: 1170 ft

Total Climbing:  500ft

 

We have now hit the 3rd and final halfway point of the trip.  There is now more behind us than is in front of us.  Several people on the road today were already starting to talk like the trip was almost over.  I don't get it.  We still have a lot of riding ahead and I think a couple people may change their toon by then.

The ride today was great.  We were on back country roads that took us through "any town USA".  We passed small farms, cozy communities, and little towns.  It misted and rained most of the day and I don't think that anyone cared.  We rode rather slowly today and talked most of the day.   Kansas looks more like Michigan with every mile that we ride.  About 25 miles into the ride we came across the spray paint on the ground marking the halfway point.  The next thing you know there were over a dozen of us there and the cameras were clicking away.  Guys were posing with their bikes, laying on the ground, and goofing off.  Then just like when we were kids and playing in the street some one would yell "car!" and we would all scatter to the sides of the road. 

The rest of the ride was uneventful.  We talked most of the ride, but I can't remember really remember what we discussed.  It obviously wasn't very deep conversation.  I did get a little tinge of homesickness today.  After dinner Jeff and I were walking back to the hotel room and in a truck was sitting a blue merle Australian shepherd.  He even had his hair cut really short just like Shadow.  Man, I miss my dog.  Funny how things like that happen. 

Tomorrow is another big day.  We have 108 miles to Topeka and the weather is suppose to be just like today.  Did you notice that I haven't complained about headwinds yet?  That is because they were almost nonexistant today.  Lucky us.  I found out that at this time last year the Cross Country group had tailwinds all the way through Kansas.  Our guides said that some of the riders were comfortably keeping a 30-40 mph for hours at a time.  That would be a dream come true. 

Well, it is off to bed for me.  Last night was my worst night of sleep in the last couple of weeks.  I will type to you tomorrow.

Tim

 

 Me at the "official" halfway point.  Some people actually stood on the exact point for their pictures.  Notice the row of bikes on the right.

 

 

Here are Michelle and Andy.  They are two of our ride leaders.  If you were to add the weight of both of their bikes together it would still be less than my bike. 

 

 

We stopped by the Eisenhower museum and library here in Abilene.  Pretty nice.  I took a short tour of Ike's childhood home.  It was nice, but very small.