July 23
Pittsburg, KS to Chanute, KS
59 miles
July 24
Chanute, KS to Eureka, KS
66 miles
Eastbound riders’ reports out of Kansas were not glowing. Boring. Hot. Keith reported being “suicidal” by the time he reached the Missouri border. Karen, an enthusiastic rider, exclaimed, “Rent a car. Drive across Kansas. There’s no shame in it!” For the past month, the main headline of biker’s Kansas stories has featured the terrible headwinds of Kansas. On the flipside, we’ve been reading about Westbounders easily logging 100+ mile days with the winds at their backs. We crossed our fingers that the winds would stay the same. Ha! Not so my friends! Our two days of riding in Kansas have been directly into a strong dehydrating wind of 12-20 mph, with temperatures up to 97. We had hoped to make up some miles in this flat state, but are pedaling hard just to eke out 65 miles a day.
The winds are not our first challenge on this trip, nor will they be the last. Today, we were comparing notes and found that when the going gets rough and we find ourselves getting negative, we both hear Denise, our extraordinary yoga teacher, reminding us of meeting challenge with gratitude and presence in the moment.
The kicker is, the winds the past two days are what native Kansan’s consider a gentle breeze. We learned this bit of Kansas meteorology from two wonderful Kansas women, Jay and Janie, who we met in Eureka. In town for their family reunion, we happened to ask Janie a question about lodging as they unloaded their car. This friendly exchange turned into a car tour of Eureka, a trip out to Eureka Lake, a treat out to dinner (our first chicken fried steak), and the affection of Red, their Boston Terrier. A delightful antidote to a grinding day.
What a brutal ride. As long as the winds don't get any stronger.
ReplyDeleteYou guys certainly have encountered the friendliest people! Also, that is one cute little guy you're looking at.
Happy and windless riding tomorrow.
Love, M&D/S&P
P.S. I forgot. Don't buy (or look at) any magazines - I got a bunch for our meeting!
ReplyDeleteM&D/S&P
I am going to be thinking about the wind at your backs and you sailing along 5 mph faster - maybe more. I cannot begin to imagine what a slog biking in that kind of wind would be. More slog then I could stand I imagine (but then you threw in Denise - hummmmmmm!).
ReplyDeleteDo you have a tape measure to take incremental changes in the thighs? I imagine that Kansas may cause you to go through the ceiling. Eat as much chicken fried steak as you can. That may be left in the dust of Kansas and you'd want to have your fill I suppose.
Love,
C-lini
WOULD YOU LOOK AT THE GUNS ON ML!!!!!! And might I add that Kath has sculpted herself a rather fine fanny! Is that Corn - I mean - Mountain pose you are doing there...
ReplyDeleteKick some Kansas headwind butt ladies!!! YOU CAN DOOOOOO ITTTT!!!
Though the wind got in the way a bit, loved talking with you, missy while riding.
Westward Ho, you rugged badasses!!!
Love to you both,
Beth