Day 54. Cave in Rock Illinois to Sebree Kentucky. 54 miles
Well it has been some time since I have blogged. Getting though Kansas and through Missouri and Illinois, we stayed at a lot of state parks that did not offer wi fi. So since I blogged last I will summarize below:
Kansas: hot and got hotter as we pushed east. It also became more beautiful terrain as we went east and the state parks are awesome. It also remained quite windy out of the east south east which started to take a toll on my spirits. Luckily my sister and Loren kept me going and my spirits up. Fort Scott on the Kansas/Missouri border was a really cool town. Met a woman there who was from Texas that started a winery. Wines were good and we bought a bottle.
Missouri: is hilly, hot and very humid. But the people are very nice. The gem of the state was st. James where there was a great winery and brewery where we met some very cool people. But the hills getting from st Joe state park to the Mississippi River were tough. But then I crossed into Illinois which was so exciting.
Illinois: is hilly, hot and very humid. Yes this is the theme for the last several hundred miles. So this requires very early starts and a race against the clock to beat the heat index.
Yesterday our older sister, Jodie, and her husband Steve and there son nick met up with us. Nick rode with me today and it started by boarding the 6am ferry across the Ohio River and landed us into Kentucky. Hilly ride but not that bad cause we had some cloud cover. So far Kentucky is beautiful. Tonight we are staying at the baptis church so we can all sleep in some AC. It is still hot and humid!
Friday, August 12, 2016
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
July 27 day 38
Day 38. Syracuse to Garden city Kansas. 54 miles
Wow, Kansas is going to be difficult, just as it was today, for many reasons. First it is very flat and I roll by GMO corn, feed lots that stink so bad, and plants like the Tyson plant that have a different put still putrid smell. Then there is the headwind, heat and humidity and bugs. I'm counting the days to get to Pittsburg Kansas which is on the Missouri border. Until then I will get up early, ride early and find the pool. Today's pool was awesome. It is called the "big pool" and it was the size of a football field! Plus 3 awesome water slides all for 2 bucks. We spent the afternoon at the pool then made dinner at the trailer. Tomorrow off to dodge city Kansas
Wow, Kansas is going to be difficult, just as it was today, for many reasons. First it is very flat and I roll by GMO corn, feed lots that stink so bad, and plants like the Tyson plant that have a different put still putrid smell. Then there is the headwind, heat and humidity and bugs. I'm counting the days to get to Pittsburg Kansas which is on the Missouri border. Until then I will get up early, ride early and find the pool. Today's pool was awesome. It is called the "big pool" and it was the size of a football field! Plus 3 awesome water slides all for 2 bucks. We spent the afternoon at the pool then made dinner at the trailer. Tomorrow off to dodge city Kansas
July 26 day 37
Day 37. Lamar Colorado to Syracuse Kansas. 54 miles
Left Lamar very early and in a hurry fore I was not really fond of this town. I road along the Arkansas River and in the flat land. Not much to see except crops of some kind and vacant land. Soon I met up with t and l on Holly Colorado the home of former governor of Colorado Roy Romer. Cute little town but very quiet. I continued on and soon crossed into Kansas the the town of Coolidge where I encounter my first real chase by a dog. Not sure what kind but look like a pit bull and I had to really step on it. At 22 mph with a head wind for longer than I wanted it, the dog finally pooped out. Ugh that was scary and I need to be better prepared next time. Finally I arrived in Syracuse, our stop for the day. We had lunch at the very cute Black Bison pub and met dad and Ladonna there as well. We chatted and they left to go home to Wichita Falls. We gathers our stuff and went to the pool where for two bucks we enjoyed a afternoon in the cool water and water slides. After dinner we went back to the black bison pub to play pool, darts and stay cool.
Left Lamar very early and in a hurry fore I was not really fond of this town. I road along the Arkansas River and in the flat land. Not much to see except crops of some kind and vacant land. Soon I met up with t and l on Holly Colorado the home of former governor of Colorado Roy Romer. Cute little town but very quiet. I continued on and soon crossed into Kansas the the town of Coolidge where I encounter my first real chase by a dog. Not sure what kind but look like a pit bull and I had to really step on it. At 22 mph with a head wind for longer than I wanted it, the dog finally pooped out. Ugh that was scary and I need to be better prepared next time. Finally I arrived in Syracuse, our stop for the day. We had lunch at the very cute Black Bison pub and met dad and Ladonna there as well. We chatted and they left to go home to Wichita Falls. We gathers our stuff and went to the pool where for two bucks we enjoyed a afternoon in the cool water and water slides. After dinner we went back to the black bison pub to play pool, darts and stay cool.
Monday, July 25, 2016
July 25 day 36
day 36---La Junta to Lamar Colorado 60 miles
Got up very early to beat the heat and enjoyed a nice morning on quite highway 50 with a wide shoulder. I'm certainly in the flatland where I could see for miles on both sides. The riding was easy and uneventful as I cruised along the Arkansas River. Soon I entered the very rural Lamar and made my way through old town to find t and l at the RV park. We went into the quiet town for some second breakfast and a tour of this town. Tomorrow I enter Kansas.
Got up very early to beat the heat and enjoyed a nice morning on quite highway 50 with a wide shoulder. I'm certainly in the flatland where I could see for miles on both sides. The riding was easy and uneventful as I cruised along the Arkansas River. Soon I entered the very rural Lamar and made my way through old town to find t and l at the RV park. We went into the quiet town for some second breakfast and a tour of this town. Tomorrow I enter Kansas.
Sunday, July 24, 2016
July 24 day 35
Day 35. Another rest day in La Junta Colorado.
I want d to spent maximum time with Chelle as well as my dad so we slept in then had some breakfast of fruit loops and OJ. Plus lots of not Seattle coffee. Then we went to Fort Bents National Park just outsid of town in a thin layer of clouds that kept th heat down. This was an amazing place and we had so much fun checking out the fort of the 1830's that is on th Santa Fe trail. I really recommend this place. We then went to lunch/ breakfast in town with folks that were so amazing. La junta is a surprising and amazing small town in eastern Colorado. After lunch dad and la Donna left for peublo and Chelle had to leave for Denver. I hated to have her go. I miss her everyday I'm gone and can't wait to see her next in Virginia. Spent the rest of the day getting gear together, planning the rest of my route to Virginia and getting haircuts.
To date I have traded 2285 miles by bicycle and have climbed 68,600 feet. Fasted speed is 40.4 mph.
Having tons of fun and half way done!
I want d to spent maximum time with Chelle as well as my dad so we slept in then had some breakfast of fruit loops and OJ. Plus lots of not Seattle coffee. Then we went to Fort Bents National Park just outsid of town in a thin layer of clouds that kept th heat down. This was an amazing place and we had so much fun checking out the fort of the 1830's that is on th Santa Fe trail. I really recommend this place. We then went to lunch/ breakfast in town with folks that were so amazing. La junta is a surprising and amazing small town in eastern Colorado. After lunch dad and la Donna left for peublo and Chelle had to leave for Denver. I hated to have her go. I miss her everyday I'm gone and can't wait to see her next in Virginia. Spent the rest of the day getting gear together, planning the rest of my route to Virginia and getting haircuts.
To date I have traded 2285 miles by bicycle and have climbed 68,600 feet. Fasted speed is 40.4 mph.
Having tons of fun and half way done!
July 23 Day 34
Day 34. Canon City to Fowler Colorado. 93 miles
Left 6 miles outside of canon city at 5:40 am to nearly 70 degrees but quickly made my way into the city. Then turned onto highway 115 to Florence then to Wetmore riding past penitentiary and another penitentiary. Soon I was going south in beautiful southern Colorado and looking at the sangre de cristo mountains. At Wetmore I turned into highway 96 and with a lot of descent and tailwind I made the 54 miles in 3 hours. I meet t and l and Chelle at the city park in pueblo for a snack and drink. It was starting to heat up so made a quick stop before I was on my way through peublo and onto my final 21 miles to Fowler. By the time I got there it was 103 degrees. I saw Chelle and had her get me some Gatorade then had Loren get me some cold water and a cold hanker chief. I caught a ride for 28 miles to La Junta Colorado where I met my dad and LaDonna for lunch then to the motel for a swim in the pool. Still too hot I rested in the room with the AC on high. For dinner we went to a restaurant called Mexico City and it was awesome. Everyone was so friendly. Just as we were going to leave a storm blew through so we sat in the restaurant and waited it out. A friendly local man bought us a round of beers and we chatted about Colorado and the bike ride. It was awesome!
Left 6 miles outside of canon city at 5:40 am to nearly 70 degrees but quickly made my way into the city. Then turned onto highway 115 to Florence then to Wetmore riding past penitentiary and another penitentiary. Soon I was going south in beautiful southern Colorado and looking at the sangre de cristo mountains. At Wetmore I turned into highway 96 and with a lot of descent and tailwind I made the 54 miles in 3 hours. I meet t and l and Chelle at the city park in pueblo for a snack and drink. It was starting to heat up so made a quick stop before I was on my way through peublo and onto my final 21 miles to Fowler. By the time I got there it was 103 degrees. I saw Chelle and had her get me some Gatorade then had Loren get me some cold water and a cold hanker chief. I caught a ride for 28 miles to La Junta Colorado where I met my dad and LaDonna for lunch then to the motel for a swim in the pool. Still too hot I rested in the room with the AC on high. For dinner we went to a restaurant called Mexico City and it was awesome. Everyone was so friendly. Just as we were going to leave a storm blew through so we sat in the restaurant and waited it out. A friendly local man bought us a round of beers and we chatted about Colorado and the bike ride. It was awesome!
Friday, July 22, 2016
July 22 day 33
day 33 rest days in canon city!
Chelle is here!!! We went to Colorado Springs and met her for some lunch before we traveled back to camp. Stopped and got my bike that was in the shop for a new chain and quick tune up. Ready to get back at it tomorrow.
Chelle is here!!! We went to Colorado Springs and met her for some lunch before we traveled back to camp. Stopped and got my bike that was in the shop for a new chain and quick tune up. Ready to get back at it tomorrow.
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