Another 88 miles closer to Boston!! Woo hoo!!

I stepped outside this morning and the wind gusts almost knocked me over. I did a big uh oh...the first 5 miles were dead downwind and doing 25+ in the flats was really easy. But at 5 miles the route turned 90 degrees to the south and the wind shifted to coming out of the SW. It was now all I could do to muster 11-13 mph. Ugh.

At about 30 miles I felt awful. I was having a hard time pushing the pedals. Something I ate the night before didn't sit well so there were stomach issues plus lack of energy.

So, ate a bagel with peanut butter, a banana, a 7 oz coke plus a Gu pack. The sugar and caffeine quickly kicked in and I felt great in no time. What a relief.

The wind never seemed to help me but the speed calmed down to a more manageable level. More relief!!

The shoulders on this road were at least 5-6' wide but many sections were almost unrideable. There were tons of cracks filled with tar. If you hit a crack at the wrong angle you risk going down.

Even though the speed limit was 70 mph the traffic was light. I opted to ride a lot on the white line.

I was so focused on just getting through the day I didn't take many photos. My wife probably did so I'll post a few of hers later, for those of you who just want to see pics!!!!

I was able to take advantage of the free Hot Springs and soaked for 20 mins. That should help my legs feel brand new again!!! Of course we offset all those benefits with a nice Mexican supper with several Margaritas. And all this time I thought they were just lemon lime Gatorade........



If you look closely you can see a gray vehicle off the road ahead on the right. It's my sag vehicle! Always a welcome sight!!

Still got some nice scenic ways to go. You must be going through the badlands and black hills. Then you get to... Nebraska. Ugh, hope you don't hit high winds there.

I trust that you never made the speed limit, even wind-aided

Is that a rumble strip on the shoulder? I hate those.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildwood

Enjoy the scenery and excitement in advance of the plains that loom.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneO

Still got some nice scenic ways to go. You must be going through the badlands and black hills. Then you get to... Nebraska. Ugh, hope you don't hit high winds there.

Hey jppe,

I presume you’ve crossed, or at least are near the Continental Divide, though you have apparently ridden it in the past over the same pass we did (Wolf Creek), though that was our one and only time. Pay no mind to those Captains Bringdown. Of course there may be a letdown as you approach the plains. But IMO, the goal of a trans-USA Ride is to see America as a totality. You could just Ride the Rockies if it’s just about scenery.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

…After the Continental Divide, we rolled on, hardly pedalling. The scenery as I recall started to diminish, with some discomfort as we knew we were leaving the Rockies, but the cycling still remained memorable…

I have found for me that while gorgeous scenery and quiet rural roads are nice, I really like the interesting views, complexity and multiple choices of urban, suburban, and exurban rides. There will be much more of that in the Plains, Midwest and Northeast. For example we attended a Swedish festival in Lindsborg, KS; stayed at two memorable, really pretty historic towns on the Ohio River, Madison IN and Maysville, KY; and many more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

…Interspersed on those long stretches were those small to medium size towns, made memorable by passing through on a bicycle, so often with some off-beat attractions

Besides that is the joy of just riding your bicycle. I recently discussed on a thread about Centuries:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biker395

… One day, I got to thinking: I love cycling…WHY am I ticking off the last few miles as if I'm glad to be done with it?
So instead, I try to focus on being in the moment and enjoying what I'm doing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

…Nonetheless, @Biker395, your comment about being in themoment is well said. I can remember being on long tours thinking to myself that when I get back to work, sitting at a desk, how I’ll wish I was back out here on the Road.

I enjoy reading your daily posts!!! Keep it coming.. Glad to hear traffic was light on the 70 MPH highway your were on.. Stay safe!!

The route he is taking through Nebraska is a great ride. It offers good scenery, good food, good roads, and great small towns.

Highway 20 NW Nebraska.


jppe, I think you will enjoy Nebraska. I enjoy following your progress. Nebraska and Iowa are not flat

On our cross country ride, we went through Kansas and Missouri,and our steepest hills were in Missouri (until West Virginia). Someone explained to me that in the Rockies where you are restricted to a few (Federal) Highways, the grades are limited to accommodate long-haul trucks. Once you get onto the Plains, and seek out backroads, the grades though shorter, get steeper.