The riders left Dodge City at 7:20 am....temperature was 60 degrees in the morning and the wind was behind them, so for the first 20 miles they were flying along at 18 mph. Then there was a shift in direction and the wind was either in their faces or from the side and slowed them down considerably. Very pretty scenery---lots of wheat fields, blue skies and white clouds. They stopped at a crossroads where there was a farm museum with an old Steam Engine and a sign indicating "San Francisco -- 1500+ miles in one direction and New York -- 1500+ miles in the opposite direction". The wind changed and was again at their backs for the last 20 miles, and they made very good time and Gil's group arrived in Great Bend, KS at 2:20. Today's ride was "relatively" easy with a total of 89 miles. This included a few extra miles to see Pawnee Rock, which is a rock outcropping from where they could see the Santa Fe Trail. Early settlers viewed this rock formation as the midpoint in their crossing of the continent.
Gil took some nice video segments and a few pictures today. No hotel computer tonight, but he hopes to send a few pictures from a borrowed laptop. That will require Jean's input once the pictures arrive.....I have had the process of adding pictures to the blog "explained" to me, but probably won't attempt doing it myself unless I "have to" and she's sitting next to me. Upon their arrival the riders showered, did laundry, visited a sub shop, participated in the road rap for tomorrow's ride and ate again. I'm told the Best Western has a great all-you-can eat buffet. Gil told me that the ride is a lot of work with not much spare time, but the people and the scenery make all the work worthwhile.
Gil's Recap [emailed Sun am; posted Sun afternoon]
Got the heck out of Dodge 7:20 am under clear skies. 60 degrees. Perfect for riding. Rode with the wind. Yeah! Rode with about 6 other faster riders at 20+ miles an hour, flags waving for first half hour, then let them forge ahead. About 30 miles into ride wind shifted and speed slowed. Visited Pawnee Rock, a rock out cropping where those brave souls going west would mark their progress. A great view but added extra miles to today's ride. Last 20 miles into Great Bends the wind and our direction were together and we again rolled at high speeds the last hour. Made hotel just after 2 PM. 89 miles! We are really making speed across this country. It is beautiful from a bike.
[Jean's impression upon editing this in: I bet this country might be almost as beautiful from a car. Without all that sweat in your eyes obstructing the view. But that's just me.]
Tomorrow's ride is 63 miles and should be "easy" (this is Gil's description and in comparison to some of the other days which were over 100 miles or over mountains). I wouldn't call traveling 63 miles "easy" in anything slower than a car with air conditioning, which is why I stayed home for this adventure. Tomorrow they pass the 1500 mile point on their ride, and it will be the first of 2 "easy" days in a row. They will be able to leave an hour later tomorrow morning. Then on Tuesday, in Abilene, they have their third "well-earned" rest day.
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Gil - Sounds like you are really enjoying the trip. I have really enjoyed the pictures.
We signed you up for Annapolis 10 Miler. You are good to go in August for a hot and hilly 10 miles. Piece of cake compared to biking accross the country!
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