What Happened to Route 96? Or Dad do you know you are going South?

June 10, Bazine, KS - June 11, Larned, KS odometer reading 475 miles

Building Mural in Dightown, KS
A big two days and with Internet it is time to catch up. Yesterday was a fantastic day. We had a pretty hard wind, but it was coming a little bit from Southwest. We were able to ride about 68 miles which is our best day yet. We went from viewing (and smelling) large cattle feed lots to beautiful sweet smelling alfalfa fields. We met several cyclists at a bowling alley in the mid-morning. We just couldn't pass up a few games. Really it was the only place open that had a place to get a bite to eat. The other group was headed West. Some of them had met on the ride and just started riding together. One man was about our age and was from Venice, Italy. He has been riding around the world for the last several years. Evidently he must be independently wealthy. They were a nice and varied group. We were a little envious in that they had a

SAG vehicle carrying their supplies and organizing their stops. Either would be nice.

We spend lots of time hoping and looking for a place to stay and/or eat. Fortunately, on this day we had luck in both areas. In a fact we were doing so well we decided to add 12 additional miles to the end of our ride just so we could get to a special bed and breakfast for cyclists (Elaine's B & B for Bicycles). We called ahead to make sure there was room for us. She offered camping at $10 each, B & B for $75 which would include a homemade supper and breakfast. When we got their we chose the B & B. We were not disappointed! We also got to use her washer and dryer to freshen up our clothes. She made a vegetarian dinner for us which was delicious. She and Mary Kay talked about cooking for quite awhile and Mary Kay picked up a few new recipes. Three other men stayed there, also. One was a young man in mid twenties and the other two were probably close to our age. The older two men were on a three month ride from Oklahoma City up through Oregon and then down through the West Coast of California before starting back home. Although they had ridden in smaller rides as part of a biking group this was their first big ride. I did get a chance to talk to them about their HOPE - one of them said that this ride was #1 on his Bucket List and he Hoped to finish it. The other, after some thought said that he really admires Greg Mortenson author of Three Cups of Tea and One School at a Time. His HOPE was that Mr. Mortenson would continue to be successful with his work in Afghanistan. We also asked Elaine what she Hoped for - she wants to make a difference in people's lives. I didn't tell her but that is part of my personal written mission, also. She is making a difference giving support to many cyclists who come to her door for a safe and comfortable place to stay, but further than that by giving encouragement to some who are at a rough part of their ride. As we well know there are days that you wonder if continuing is still in your character. I am sure she has helped many get on the bike the next day continuing their challenge. It was a wonderful night of good food and conversation. We tried to get the Oklahoma guys to come in when a tornado watch was given, but they said they were from Oklahoma and they didn't worry about it until they could see it.

We left Elaine's after a nice breakfast at about 7:15. They sky was still overcast and virtually no wind - not from the front, side, or from the back of us. We felt great as we started our days ride. We made about 21 miles in two hours which was a very good pace for us. About that time we needed to stop for some refreshment. There was a small bar open and we were invited in by a fellow mowing the grass. Once inside we found a table full of retired men and women from the town having coffee and eating homemade cookies. Of course we were offered the cookies and coffee. I ordered a coke, since coffee is not something I drink. We relaxed for awhile and enjoyed the company. When we were leaving the bar-maid said coffee is always on her and that I owed just $ .75 for the coke. What a deal for cookies, drinks, and conversation. However, our luck was about to change!

Just before we went in the wind started to pick up a little and we left highway 96 that had been our route for most of the last 6 days. By the time we got back to our bikes the winds  had gone back to its normal 20 to 25 mph range coming from the south. Not too bad, except that the map now has us going 19 miles directly south with five or six hills. I am telling you, this matched our hardest day. I blame it on Mary Kay, since when she was asked by one of the ladies in the bar how long it would take us to go the 31 miles we hoped to ride yet - she said about two hours and forty-five minutes. She actually met to say 3 hours and 45 minutes, but just to tell you how hard it was, it was another six hours before we got to Larned. About the time we were finishing the 19 mile ride South, I got a text message from our son Kyle - "Do you guys know you are going South?" I know he was just concerned that we might have made a wrong turn, but at that point I felt like saying, "You are d__n right we are going South and I am getting pretty d__n sick of it." Instead I just ignored the text and we moved on. We finally had to pull over and eat some of out tuna fish and crackers that we have been carrying with us for a few days. To add insult to this all, we tried to find a few trees to sit under. As soon as we stopped the flies invaded. So it was a quick rest, bite of food and back to the ride. We finally got to our turn and now had the wind to our side instead of our face. That was better. About 7 miles outside of Larned was an historic Fort Larned. We were hot, tired, and hungry so we decided to stop to see if they had anything to eat, drink, and a place to cool off. When we got to the Visitor Center a nice young Park Ranger began to tell us about the Fort and give us information. I had to tell him we were exhausted and all we really wanted was a cool drink and a place to sit down for awhile. I think he could readily see we needed it, as he quit his talk and guided us to the pop machine and some benches. That ended up being the break we needed. We finally were ready to finish our ride to Larned.

But the adventure doesn't end there. We really wanted to camp since we have stayed in a hotel and the B & B for the last two nights. We rolled into the "campground" and right away I had some suspicions. There was a rather crude cement block building that looked like it might be the showers. Showers are so important to us, especially after the day we had. I asked are those the showers? The manager said, "Well so to speak, but they are all tore apart right now. I am rebuilding them 'cause I had so much black mold." I quickly explained that we needed a shower and would have to move on down the road - hopefully, a yellow brick road leading us to a shower. He did tell us we could cool off in their swimming pool, but we passed on that, also.

So once again, we are in a hotel for the evening. As we were going to our room Shay, one of the young men we had met biking in Sheridan Lake came up and met us. He had taken a day off of riding to recuperate. It was nice to see him again and after showering we went out for supper with him. He has certainly had an interesting life in his 33 years. Earlier I told you he is headed to Minnesota to meet his lady and work on an elementary education license. Talking about his past a little more, besides biking in Australia, he has backpacked in Patagonia, Argentina. He does most of his adventures solo. He has some real interesting experiences. I doubt that we will cross paths again, but we wish him the best.
He keeps a pictorial blog of his trip - http://www.pushingthemule.com/

I said earlier that we are going to change our route to make it possible to go up to the Katy Trail in Missouri.  After our day today we decided that is was best to do that as soon as possible.  We are going to take tomorrow off to plan our new route North.  If we stay on this route for two or three more days we end up going another 30 to 40 miles South.  After today we don't want to take that chance if we don't have to.  Shea did some research on Kansas today and said it comes from an Indian translation meaning "winds from the South."  That was enough for us - we probably won't move from here, unless we get a good plan early.  That will give us a chance to possibly go to Mass on Saturday evening.

It was great to hear good news about Patti and Hannah!

Do Something for Others Today!!
Love to Friends and Family!!  We miss you all!
Jack and Mary Kay