Biking across America

 Today we rode from Emporia Kansas to Topeka, Kansas. It was a great ride. I rode for 67 miles. Again the countryside was quite green, rolling pastures, as well as the road itself. It had a lot of rolling hills. These are my favorite. I love to go down as fast as I can, and go up as fast as I can with the momentum from going downhill.  We stopped at a very famous pie place, a picture is below, and I had a piece of strawberry rhubarb pie. It was quite delicious. Some of the folks I was with actually had two pieces of pie. I love this bike riding we can eat whatever we want without having to worry. 

 Today was a rest day. We spent the day in Emporia Kansas. It was great to sleep in this morning. Most of you know how much I love to sleep. It was also enjoyable to be able to eat breakfast without feeling like I had to rush out the door.  Some of us went into the town of Emporia had lunch at a local brewery. I also visited two of the bike shops. One of them was quite interesting whereby a young couple of 26 years old had just taken over this bike shop that was about to close.  They were very nice and sweet people and we’re great to talk to and deal with. I also had a massage today. I did not take any pictures today so they’ll be none to post. Tomorrow we head to Topeka, Kansas. Below is a picture from a couple of days ago. I thought I would just put this in as I will be on the road again tomorrow.

 First, I would like to say thank you to everybody who has been leaving comments for me. Sorry I have not been able to reply to all. But again thanks and keep them coming. Today I rode from McPherson Kansas to Emporia Kansas. I rode 81 miles. Finally, the scenery change to include some Rolling-hills with some green pastures and more trees. The ride started out quite cool with temperature very comfortable, but by the end of the day it had become much warmer. Most of the ride was in the sun without much cover. The only difference for me was that I went through two full bags of my Camelback of water.  One of our SAG stops was in a campground with a lake associated with it. It reminded me of Lake Sebago. I saw a bull cow today with quite big horns. Additionally, I saw several herds of cattle. The scenery is definitely changing and becoming more interesting. At the end of the day I stopped at one of my favorite spots in Kansas called Braum’s. It is an ice cream place that also sell...

 Today the ride was from great Bend, Kansas to McPherson Kansas. I am not sure if I mentioned this previously, but I did start this venture with a pulled hamstring. Over the course of the several weeks I’ve been on this the hamstring is actually gotten better but over the last two days it was starting to ache again last night. It was quite uncomfortable. So today I decided to take my venture on the four wheels in the SAG wagon. I have to say that the scenery wasn’t any different than the last several days. Tonight I actually feel much better and I plan to ride tomorrow. Below are a few pictures from some of the ones my friends have taken.One of the pictures below of me on the lien is essentially what I wrote today :-)

Today we rode from Dodge city to great Bend Kansas. The scenery wasn’t much different than the past several days. I have included a few pictures below of a few different things that we did see. I was able again to complete the entire day of riding which was 86 miles. Initially we did have a headwind, but then the wind changed and we had a tail wind. The weather again cooperated and we had no rain and the temperatures were cool as we approach. Great Bend it became a little bit warmer. I am truly enjoying this trip across the country. The group I am traveling with are incredibly nice and friendly and fun.

 Today we rode from Liberal Kansas to Dodge city, Kansas. It was a total of 85 miles. The weather was predicted to be rain most of the day. We dodged all of it. It was a great day for riding because the weather was cool, cloudy and the roads were the best we’ve ridden in a while. I was never aware of how flat and level Kansas is. We would ride for miles and miles with just basically flatlands with with feed for cows growing everywhere. It is funny while I am riding I have begun talking to myself out loud. It does help the time go by. I’ve also been singing. The ride was somewhat easy for a while then we had a headwind. We then changed course , and was heading more northerly, and had the wind behind us. We stopped at the home of the Dalton gang where their last shootout took place.  the last 21 miles I rode quite well. From the tailwind, I was able to complete the 21 miles in about an hour. I arrived in Dodge city craving a milkshake. I stopped at McDonald’s. That is a place I ...

 Today we rode from Guymon Oklahoma, and we crossed another state line into Kansas. We rode in to Liberal Kansas. Along the way we didn’t see much more than just flat planes. It was a nice ride today. The weather cooperated and we avoided rain. The temperatures were quite comfortable. When we arrived into Liberal Kansas, we did go to Dorothy’s house from the Wizard of Oz. In the gift shop on the second floor, there were some old medical equipment, including surgical instruments, a surgical bed, an old old wheelchair and an old old examining table. This was quite interesting to me. We then went to the aviation Museum, and saw many many different types of older planes. They were all very well restored.  After that, I rode back towards the hotel. Because it was early enough I was actually able to have lunch today. The ride was a short ride of only 42 miles to the hotel but because I rode additionally around town it was another 4 miles. Below are some pictures. I have also include...

 Today we rode from Dalhart Texas to Guymon Oklahoma. I rode 72 miles again on the same road. It was not a major highway like an interstate, but it was well traveled by many trucks. We started out in the day was cloudy and misty and foggy. The sun never really came out but at least the mist stopped and by the time we arrived in Guymon Oklahoma, the temperatures had warmed. It was a relatively easy route today. There was minimal to no climbing. I rode well. I also enjoyed the ride. we arrived at the hotel pretty early. I was in by 1 o’clock. I spent some time in the hot tub and then we went across the street for pizza. We crossed the state line of Oklahoma and below are some pictures. 

 Today we rode from Tucumcari New Mexico to Dalhart Texas. It was cool crossing the state line. Again we were on the same road for the entire day. This could sometimes be boring. We climbed a lot. I was still recovering from yesterday’s G.I. issues. I did pretty well until about mile 59. My stomach was starting to act up again. I came across two of my cycle mates, Linda and Christine and they were waiting for the SAG wagon. I decided to call it a day. But I did ride 59 miles, and rode well for most of it. It was somewhat of a difficult day because of the high amount of climbing. Machinery is essentially unchanged throughout most of the riding. Below are some of the pictures from the day.

 Today’s route was from Las Vegas New Mexico to Tucumcari New Mexico. It was a tough day for me today. I had some G.I. issues. Which affected my ability to eat and drink enough. I did make it to 47 miles. But then got in the sag wagon for a bit hoping that my G.I. issues would resolve. I did feel better. I then got out of the van and tried to ride again. About 10 miles in though Because I hadn’t eaten and drank enough throughout the day. I had no energy. I then returned to the van. Tomorrow is another day. It was quite hot and quite hilly today. We were all under the impression that it would be a little bit more downhill but we all kind of forgot about how many claims they were. The ride itself along the road was pretty awesome. They weren’t very many cars on the road in the conditions of the roads were pretty good. We did run into some construction though and had to follow a pilot vehicle through the construction. That is something I have not done before. Typically in the E., We J...