Sunday, May 8, 2011

Day 15, May 8, 2011, Great Bend, KS to Abilene, KS

129 miles and only 200 feet of climbing.  Another brutal day out here on the road crossing America.  At noon it was 85 degrees and by mid afternoon it was 95 degrees.  We had a strong 20 - 25 mph head/cross wind about ¾ of the day with the remainder being a tail wind.  Left at 7:00 a.m. and got here at 5:00 p.m.  Was on the bike for 9 hours and averaged about 14.5 mph..  It was a VERY long day.  The terrain has definitely changed.  Now it is rolling hills and wheat fields with an occasional small wood lots.  It is amazing how much it has changed in the last 200 to 300 miles.  Abilene is at approximately 1500 feet elevation.  The air is getting heavier and you can definitely feel the humidity.

Some of the Gazelles are starting to break down.  One has spent the last 3 days in the van, 3 are getting their ankles wrapped every morning and each night you can find a group of them searching for the nearest Walgreen store.  From listening to their conversations it appears that their primary purchases are oriented towards treating their sore behinds.  They come back with bags full of Butt Balm, Hydrocortisone Cream, Antiobiotic Ointments, Tough Pads/Mole Skin and various pain remedies.  For awhile I thought some of them were putting on weight, but then I figured out that they are wearing 2 and 3 pairs of shorts.  As for me, physically I think I am doing OK.  I go to bed exhausted and sore from my finger tips to my toes.  When I wake up most the pain is gone and I feel fairly rested.  As for the area where I have maximum contact with the bike I am doing fine.  I have a little minor irritation but nothing sending me running to Walgreens or seeking consultation from my riding buddies.  The Clydesdale just keeps rolling on.

Tomorrow we press on to Topeka.  Life is good, very, very good!!
On a Cross Country ride sometimes you literally have to go cross country.  A bridge was being replaced.  We had the option of getting in the van and driving a long detour.  I figured that if Russ could ford a river in the dead of winter in Montana I could get through this little challenge.

Wheat, wheat and more wheat!

4 comments:

  1. I always knew you were a "hard ass" now I guess the rest of the world knows it too. You also have a soft heart & a determined spirit so I'm sure you will finish the challenge without whining or giving the gazelles too hard of a time for their indiscretions.
    Had a wonderful Mothers Day. Got a phone call from three of the kids, got to watch the forth play soccer, then had a lovely dinner at Maria & Jerry's with Grandma Donna & Joy. Jack made me pancakes, did dishes and gave me coupons for jobs around the house. Life is good (& I didn't have to cook all day!)
    Leisa

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  3. funny story about hard asses, you may remember from Alaska.............one of my Slovekian friends was having butt issues and he asked me what he should do (his english was REALLY broken)........he said jared "we have a saying in my country........de shit it lickes my boxers......what can i tell nurse?" i told him that my father calls such an ailment "swamp ass" and if he tells the nurse that she will know what he is talking about.........he then responded "yo dad he must be smart man.....is he doctor?"...........i laughed and said you weren't exactly a doctor! ..........keep up the good work......hard ass!

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  4. In my day 1 post I said "don't worry about those hotdoggers, they'll come back to reality." Tonight I'll drink a toast to the plodders in life, they get it done day after day. Congratulations on toughing it out and getting it done Jay.

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