We decided to delay our departure because at 7 AM when we usually roll out it was a chilly 46 degrees. But it was a beautiful clear day and it quicky warmed to very comfortable riding conditions. At breakfast we were talking to the locals and they warned of us of a big hill to the west: "biggest hill in the county." We were skeptical but sure enough there was a big hill. Not too impressive in steepness but probably 3 or 4 miles long. It seems that Kansas, although basically flat, steadily rises as we move west toward Colorado. Today we actually logged about 2500' of climbing in spite of the flat terrain.
At one point we stopped to ake a picture and a guy in a pickup stopped to ask if we were OK. We assured him that we were fine, and asked if he sees many cyclists (since we are now on the ACA route). He said that yes, he does, but that most of them are riding their bikes rather than standing in the road. Touché. But thanks for stopping!
Once again we were riding into a moderately stiff headwind so the going was tough. The nice day and beautiful landscape made for a pleasant, if difficult ride.
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| Kansas has these too |
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| Self-portrait |
We stopped in the little town of Cassoday for a break. There was a little cafe/trading post with made-to-order sandwiches, bluegrass via Pandora, and a basket of free apples that came from a local guy's tree. Apparently Cassoday is also the Prairie Chicken Capital of the World.
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| I am not making this stuff up |
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| A 12-foot prairie chicken made out of paper |
After Cassoday it was 40 miles due west into the wind with nothing in between. This was Kansas as I have always imagined it.
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| Look in the distance! A tree! |
Finally we reached the town of Newton, which is a charming little town that seems just big enough to be viable in today's challenging economy. We happened upon a organic market and cafe that had all kinds of fresh food and homemade lunch items. One of the challenges we have had is finding fresh fruits and veggies to eat in these small towns. So we abandoned the sandwiches we had bought in Cassoday and enjoyed some of the yummy goodies instead.
Our destination for the evening, Hesston, is only 10 miles from Newton so we lingered at the cafe longer than we should have. Eventually we got going again and made good time to Hesston. On the way we were excited to see another cyclist ahead, but he tured out to be a day-rider and not touring. We did see a pair of touring cyclists headed the other way, though.
Today we did 87 miles, mostly flat, under cool blue skies.
Can't believe you let 46 degrees scare you away from your normal routine. You do know that it SNOWS in Colorado in September, right? However, the giant paper prairie chicken should have scared you away.
ReplyDeleteWell Lisa beat me to it. 46 is about what it is here in the Rockies in the morning. At least you'll be coasting downhill once you get to the continental divide.
ReplyDeleteHi Al (and Tom). Follow you daily. Very exciting! I am compiling a summary Excel spreadsheet. How are climbs computed and acumulated and by what means. (I don't own a smartphone.)
ReplyDeleteWhere are the corn, soybeans and sunflowers?
I will be interested in learning where you fist see the Rockies. When we drove to ski Aspen in 1965, we first saw the mountains emerge about 200 miles away.
Persevere and have fun!
JR, thanks for the comment. When we report daily feet of climbing it's basically all the up but none of the down. So if we go up 50, then down 40, then up 50, it's 100 feet of climbing. In hilly terrain it's a better gauge of the ride's character than the miles.
DeleteWe first saw the Rockies from Ordway, about 80 miles away.
ReplyDeleteWednesday’s Comment, Sept 6
Kansas. It’s difficult to characterize. Many counties are totally dry. I see that Lebanon is the geo-center of the contiguous 48. Half-way there, half-way to go? Debbie and Heather are on the close-up-camp jobs today. Showers today: High 66, Low 52, Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Kansas Deep Red vs. Colorado Bright Blue. What a contrast! Hope all is well.