32 years ago today ... ...we wake up in Lyons, Kansas, which is very near half way across Kansas and close enough to call this spot, geographically, half way across America. Weve now rode 33 days straight and have averaged about 75 miles per day. Its been five (5) days since leaving the Rocky Mountains; and the trek across Eastern Colorado and Western Kansas has been very challenging with severe head and side winds, 100 degree temperatures, things called Texas Tacks that have caused eight (8) flat tires in the past five (5) days between two two of us. In spite of these challenges, weve managed an average of 80 miles per day since Pueblo, CO, (brutal miles mind you). We initially thought we could make up time in the Plain States, which is one of the reasons we spent so much time in the Rockies. But, the kindness of the people in these parts certainly made up for some of the bad memories of riding. The $2 stay in the Ordway Hotel (Orway, CO) was a highlight...a special rate for bikers and one of those old boarding type room with one bath per floor, but hey whose complaining. Just getting a bath or shower was nice because up to this point there were many days without, just rinsing off in a stream was at times all we could do in the Rockies. To stay warm sometimes skipping even a rinse off was in order. But here in these parts of Kansas, the population was getting more dense and towns were coming up much more frequently. Finding someone to take us in for the night or finding a nice city park, to set up camp, was getting easier and easier. With the heat and humidity the water in take was substantial. It was a challenge to carry more and more water and be sure to stay hydrated in between towns. Lots and lots of Amber waves of Grain to see and most of roads we traveled now had an accompanied parallel rail road track, and a Train Engineer and Crew to wave to occasionally. We are now heading in a Due East direction, and are committed to this direction, until we hit the Atlantic Ocean. The idea of something to do in the Summer of 82 was in full play. Seems like now we are committed. The riding the past five (5) days had me wanting to turn around and get back to the mountains; it was easier climbing 30 miles up than pounding through 30 miles of winds, heat and now middle of Summer humidity. ... But we pressed on ... ... more to come soon ...
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 11:32:46 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015