Day 18, May 11, 2011, Cameron, MO to Kirksville, MO

122 miles and 7500 feet of climbing.  I have concluded that when they named the state of Missouri, they misspelled it.  The proper spelling should be M-I-S-E-R-Y.  This state is causing me lots of it!  When we left this a.m. there was an ironclad forecast for thunderstorms.  As we left the motel at 6:45 a.m. it started to rain and in short time it was blowing, thundering and lightening.  The ride leader directed us to a gas station where we waited for an hour for the lightening to leave the area.  We then continued in the rain.  Fortunately we rode out of the storm and by mid morning it quit raining, the sun came out and it got very hot and very humid.  The roads were a repeat of yesterday, nothing but up and down, up and down.  They were brutal.  I got to the motel at 5:30 p.m., after having been on the bike for 9+ hours and averaging 13 mph..  It was another very long day.   My body and mind are so “toasted” after these two days that you could slather me in butter, put some jam on me and serve me for breakfast.  One thing the “Show Me State” has shown me is that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.  I am here!  I might be exhausted and aching all over, but I am here!

Apparently we hit the ½ point (in terms of mileage) some time yesterday.  Somehow I missed the exact place.  Perhaps I was doing some bonus miles.  My odometer shows that I have logged 1990 miles.  18 days down and 15 to go.

Tomorrow we escape MISERY and enter Illinois.  We will be taking a ferry across the Mississippi somewhere near Quincy.  It is “only” a 94 mile day.

Sorry, no pics today.  I was worried about the weather and left my camera in my luggage.  Besides, I really do not want to have anything to remind me of Misery.

Day 17, May 10, 2011, Tokeka, KS to Cameron, MO

132 miles and 5000 feet of climbing.  Today was not a good day.  It was hotter than blazes i.e. 98 degrees plus and towards the end of the day it felt like my tires were sticking to the pavement.  Initially the riding was good, but as soon as we crossed into Missouri it got bad.  The bridge crossing the Missouri river was one of the most decrepit structures I have ever been on.  It was steel grating that was uneven, broken and just plain tough to ride on.  Soon after we got off the bridge we started riding on country 2 lane roads.  The roads were narrow, and the pavement was poor.  Yesterday I described the route as being like a roller coaster.  Today’s route was a roller coaster that resembled the most aggressive roller coaster at Cedar Pointe.  They were brutal.  It was a lot like riding on 70 miles of the road leading to Camp Daggett.  To make it worse the route involved NUMEROUS turns and road changes every 3-6 miles so you had to stay alert looking for the next turn.  Ten miles from the motel I was not concentrating, took a wrong turn and ended up doing 10 “bonus” miles.  Believe me, today was not the day to do bonus miles.  When I arrived at the motel the desk clerk was sitting out on the curb by the front door smoking a cigarette.  She quickly concluded that I must be Jay.  Of course I had to ask her how she knew and she reported that everyone had been asking and worrying about me.    To add insult to injury when I fired up my laptop I quickly became infected with a virus.  Luckily we have a computer security guru on the ride and he took care of me.  I can’t wait to get out of Missouri.  If the roads are flooded I will make like Huck Finn and make myself a raft to get out of this state.

At this point I was happy to be in Missouri.  That quickly changed!!

This pic makes the roads look friendlier than they are!!!

Day 16, May 9, 2011, Abilene, KS to Topeka, KS

109 miles and 4900 feet of climbing.  It has been an incredible day.  The terrain in this part of Kansas is nothing short of incredible.  Rolling hills, huge valleys, ponds, lush green and wide open spaces.  The road was a roller coaster from start to finish.  Pavement was perfect and traffic was light.  We still have lots of wheat fields, cattle and even some buffalo and domestic elk herds.  The corn is up in some places and being planted in others.  I left at 7:00 a.m. and arrived at motel at 3:00 p.m.  I was on the bike for 6 ½ hours and averaged approx. 16 mph.  I was able to hold onto a group of 4 of my fellow riders and felt exceptionally strong and comfortable.  The only challenge was the heat that topped 96 degrees.  Now that is hot!!  Every time I had a chance I was filling my water bottles to keep hydrated.

Tomorrow we push on to Cameron, Missouri and leave Kansas behind.  We will cross the ½ point early in the day.  The ride leaders are concerned about our ability to get across the Mississippi River due to the flooding.  Apparently the bad flooding is south of where we cross but the river is backing up.  We are scheduled to cross on a ferry near Kirksville, MO.  I am confident that they will find a way to get us across.  I am very impressed with the ride leaders.

Not a good pic, but we rode past a large herd of buffalo.  There is so much wide open land out here I can see how they avoided the slaughter.

Taking a break on the road.  Daryl, English Bob and Ohio Steve.

Lunch break!!  The staff set out a spread at a predetermined location everyday.  Nothing fancy, but lots of carbs.

10 miles out we were parched and out of water.  Flagged the SAG wagon down.  Filled our bottles and sat in the shade for a few minutes.  (back row) Chad, Ed, Clay, Daryl  (front row) Ohio Steve, English Bob and Jim- The Mechanic.

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!

Sunday, May 8, 2011, Happy Mother’s Day

To all of you Mother’s out there, Happy Mother’s Day!

 I am blessed to have some of the best Mother’s in the world, in my life.  First of all there is my Mother who is undoubtedly one of the strongest, most caring and generous people I know.   In my humble, unbiased opinion she has raised 4 incredible children and is a role model for all of us.  Then of course there is Leisa Rose.  Leisa is my life partner and for that I am forever grateful.  She is the rock in my life and I cannot imagine my life without her.  I know that Sarah, Jared, Brett and Jackson know that she is certainly one of the best and are aware of how influential she has been in their lives.  She is an incredible lady and I love here dearly.  The other awesome mother’s in my life include my sisters Janel and Joy Lee.  They learned the mothering trade from Mom, so enough said!  Sister-in-Laws Lanette, Liz and Maria, what can I say about them?  Just let me say,  "JC, Kater, Jackson, BRC2 and ACC", and leave it at that.  Of course I have to give a special shout out to two of my favorite mothers, my daughters Sarah and Cindy.  I am absolutely in awe of them.  Every time I am with them and watch them do their motherly duties I grin inside and out.  Garrett and Ezra are certainly blessed to have them as their mothers.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you!

Day 14, May 7, 2011, Dodge City, KS to Grand Bend KS

85 miles and 200 feet of climbing.  The weather forecast was correct.  We had 10 mph wind on our nose all day long.  Could have been worse, but anytime you have to go head to head with the wind it can be tough.  It is just relentless and never gives you a break, especially out here on the plains.  The skies were clear and sunny and it got quite warm in the p.m..  I was on the road for 7 ½ hours, on the bike for approx. 6 ½ hours and averaged 13 mph.  Leaving Dodge there was a “scenic” overlook where you could view the Dodge City cattle “processing” operation.  They butcher 6000 head of cattle 7 days a week at this one facility.  Now that is a lot of Big Mac’s.  Today we transitioned from the barren plains to green farm land with some trees.  In many respects it reminded me of riding at home out in Hampton Twp and Munger.  There are not nearly as many people living in the area though.  Lots of big open spaces with miles between homes.  Stopped at a small museum and saw a replica of the sod houses the original settlers built and lived in.  Up the road was Pawnee Rock the ½ point between St. Louis, Missouri and Santa Fe, NM on the Santa Fe Trail.  I spent a lot of time thinking about what life must have been like for those hardy pioneers.  We have two more days of riding in KS.  Tomorrow we have a big mileage day (129) to Abilene.

We have been on the road now for 2 weeks.  I have logged 1497 miles.  I took a look at the map when we got in and was quite surprised to see how far we have come.  The days are all a blur.  It is a very hectic routine we are following.  When I am done it will take some time to process everything I have done.  No time to do it now though as we are always pressing on!  Boy, life is good!!!

In the town of Spearville there is a huge wind mill farm.  They seem to stretch on for miles.  It is really quite a site.

Day 13, May 6, 2011, Liberal, KS to Dodge City, KS

84 miles and 700 feet of climbing.  Today was a breeze and the breeze was blowing 25 mph straight at our backsides.  Left at 8:00 a.m. and was checking into the motel at 1:30 p. m..  Spent 4 ½ hours on the bike and averaged 19 mph..  These are the kind of days I could get used to.  The terrain is beginning to change.  The road is still straight and slightly rolling but the pasture land is beginning to give way to wheat and corn fields.  The wheat is a good 18 inches tall and the fields are green for as far as you can see.  It looks as if they are just now planting corn.  Cattle continues to be a big part of the economy as many cattle haulers passed us and you can always smell them before they arrive.  When I arrived in Dodge City, I rode around looking for Wyatt Earp.  He was nowhere to be found.  I was feeling so strong and full of myself I wanted to challenge him to a bike ride down Main St..  Word must have gotten to him that the Platinum Clydesdale was a looking for him.  Tomorrow we press on to Great Bend, KS.  Another “short” day of 86 miles but the wind is forecast to shift around and be on our nose again.  Life, it’s all about balance!

Breakfast is normally the Motel continental buffet breakfast but periodically the tour company mixes it up and we eat in a restaurant.  I am sure it is all part of the plan to keep the savage beasts well  fed and happy.

Ate lunch at the Dalton Gangs hideout today.  With all the signs directing us to their hideout it is a wonder that they eluded capture for so long. 

Made it to Dodge City.  In this pic I am calling out to Wyatt Earp to come race me.  He never showed his face.  I figured he was holed up some place with Miss Kitty.