Day 23 - Lamar CO to Garden City KS - 104 miles

Back to back centuries with heat and wind. Sounds like a riot, yes? We had breakfast at 5:00, loaded the vans at 5:45, and were off to log some miles! We continued on Route 50 East which was what we'd been on the day before. Kind of like I-70 but not quite so big. Still generally with a decent shoulder to ride on though. A shoulder that also has room for smashed turtles, flat snakes, the odd skunk, rabbit, or coon, and on this day, even a dead bloated antelope. I'll spare you photographic evidence of that one.

We started off ok as on the previous day. Decent wind mostly at our backs but by 9:00 it was already 88 and the temps were climbing. Fiona's strategy was to ride with the pace line and get it over with as quickly as possible. Ann and I opted not to try that. The first sag stop, in addition to snacks and cyclists, had biting flies. After a bit of time there, we carried on to the Kansas state line, entering my fifth state by bicycle! I've come a long ways! And I still have a long ways to go! But all I have to do is get to the motel every day. I digress.

We reached Syracuse, KS about 10 in the morning. Early for lunch but the next food opportunity was over 25 miles away so we stopped and split a sandwich. Cycled through some lovely Kansas countryside before finally arriving at the second sag stop just shy of Lakin, KS. By this point we'd ridden 75 miles, we were fighting some wind and the heat was really kicking up. I was tired and hot and sweaty and just wanting to be done! Michelle told me they had cold sodas and asked if I'd like a Coke, a diet Coke, or a Sprite. I said yes. She said I'd have to decide which one. I told her to give me a minute. After resting in the shade, I decided on the Coke. And some cold cherries. And some watermelon. I think I had some cheese crackers too. I probably needed some real food but it just sounded nasty so I took what calories I could from the soda and fruit.

Ok. Nothing to do but go on! We had about 30 miles left at that point. 2 - 3 hours with not much between us and Garden City. Michelle said there were probably a couple of convenience stores along that way so that became my new goal. I could ride 10 miles, take a break, ride another 10, take a break, and then the last 10 to the motel. So we set off. Shane pulled off in the other van after a while and replenished our water bottles. The first convenience store we saw was in Deerfield which appears to be a convenience store and a sign that says Deerfield. There must be more hidden somewhere. We went inside, basked in the coolness, devoured a couple of popsicles, and set out again. The next convenience store appeared to be out of business so I just put my head down and cycled on. Shane found us again with more cold water and somehow we made it through those last miles. I was really happy to take that last exit off Route 50 and pull into the motel.

They had cool washcloths and ice water waiting for us. :) After a few minutes we went up to our room and entered to a sound like a lawn mower which turned out to be coming from the toilet. I needed to shower and change quickly since I was going to a funeral in Ulysses, KS of the wife of one of our customers. So we decided to shower before telling the front desk about the issue. I went in to shower and discovered there were no towels either. Ann went down for the towels while I showered, then I walked over to Burger King to grab some food before Bob, Clint, and Carol showed up to get me. I consumed a Whopper while Bob drove us to Ulysses. He was amazed because I always turn down his offers of a Whopper or Big Mac to eat a salad when I'm at work. Too bad the shake machine was down because I would have had a vanilla shake as well.

It was a very nice service for Becky Teeter and I was glad it worked out that I could attend. I didn't even mind being with my boss for a while - and I'm not just saying that because he reads the blog. :) It was great to be with familiar and friendly faces and away from the motel and biking for just a little bit. Maybe not ideal physical recovery after a long hot day on the bike but mentally and emotionally a nice change.

By the time I returned to the motel, Ann had got us a different room and moved all my stuff for me so we settled in for a peaceful evening to get ready for another awesome day on the bike!

Ooh, look! It's a center pivot! As I saw quite a few of these today I of course thought a lot about work and our customers and the great people they are!

State #5!

I couldn't really see them and it was way too hot to do any hiking in bike clothes to see if I could find them but the sign says they are there!

My with my artistry in the background. :) It might not actually be one of our charts but there's a good chance it is! It was interesting to ride by county names and places and customer names that I recognized. 

With Bob and Clint all dressed up. That's not normal but they clean up ok! :)