The beginning
First camp out was a success. All the new gear worked great. I'm glad, lugging this crap around would be more of a nuisance if it wasn't working.
Stopped a few times on the way to Marlow, OK. The stops were quick breaks at gas stations.
The first gas station in Comanche (also the Indians, but not the city of love) had a very friendly Coors Light distributor. We started a conversation with him and he thought we were crazy. John offered our help all day in exchange that we get to a ride to Oklahoma City and a case of Coors Original. He appreciated the offer, but said he could handle it.
The second gas station was in Duncan, OK. We came across some nice gas station attendants, and local workers who were amazed where we had been and where we are going. Duncan was a long blue collar town with tons of gun shops and truck dealers.
First thirty miles were smooth. A slight headwind out of the NE, but not enough to slow us down and just enough to keep us cool.
Highway 81 brought us into Marlow.
We initially stopped at restaurant right at the entrance of Marlow, but it was closed for renovation. The construction worker directed us to the Boom-A-Rang Diner.
As we pulled up and saw the trucks lined up outside we thought it had to be good. We weren't deceived. Besides being stared at by all of the people enjoying their lunch (Honestly, who wouldn't stare at three guys decked out in spandex riding gear) the entrance wasn't bad. It had that record skip, everyone freeze, and stare movie feel for a split second though.
The diner was line of pictures of James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, Sinatra, and Brando. The air filled with country and burgers. We were treated like family by the staff. We told them our tale so far and of our journey to come. They were (as most) shocked that anyone would ride that far in the heat (97 +heat index). The dine no only had great service, but awesome food. We even got them to take a picture with is as we were leaving. I thought one of them looked like an actress, but the name escapes me. They were awesome and warned us of the Red Hill outside of Minco (I was hoping it wasn't that big and...). If you get a chance and are on 81, stop and eat there.
After we left the diner things went down hill pretty rapidly. Ian blew a tire on the way to Chickasaw (pronounced Chick-a-sha) we had to change that out, then ride against a 10-15 mph headwind for the remainder of the evening. We pushed through the never ending town and finally found a Love's gas station right before a junction.
John went inside for AC and a drink, while I sat down an complained to Ian about the ride thus far. My bike is like a tank with a parachute at times. Visualize that. The headwind kills me. After I vented, we sat inside and watched a myriad of working class folks, wearing there day on their sleeve, come in and out. John mentioned to Ian, "If we have another flat I hope it's in the morning." The cycling gods commenced and boom Ian got another flat. There we sat, frustrated, hot, and broken down again. Ian booted his tired, John and I patched his other tube, and helped him out. 45 minutes later we were on the road.
We made it 3-4 miles until I almost "bonked out" as Ian claims the cyclist say. I had forgotten to eat in nearly three hours. My legs started to not drive as strong, I felt lighter, and I started to see some white lines through my glasses. I called ahead to the guys, we pulled over, and I popped some trail mix rested for a few minutes then we were off again. It came back quick and Ian calmly asserted himself and reminded me of our talk about eating thought a ride. I, as you could imagine, replied, "I know, I know." *note to my friends and family I didn't break, I just was gassed from the lack of food.
We made one brief shade stop at Ray's Body Shop (he's recently retired). His wife came out apprehensive, but Ray was great. He gave us some cold bottled water and told us about his life. Nice gentleman.
We kept cranking towards Minco and the Chisholm Trail Bed and Breakfast. The Red Hill was as expected. It was 1.25 mile that touched 8% grade to end our day. The hill was cool as it held countless wind turbines an the setting sun in the distance. One more hill and we were to the B&B.
Again, the mechanical issues happened for a reason. We were trying to make El Reno, but only made it to Minco- which was a blessing in disguise.
Turns out this bed and breakfast was recently started by Ernie and Eileen McMullen. Two of the sweetest souls in OK. As soon as we got her Ernie made us bologna and cheese sandwiches with garden fresh tomatoes and mayo. It was the best sandwich I've ever had. They fed us chips, muskmelon, and cinnamon rolls while telling us about themselves.
The McMullen's grandparents came to Minco in 1903 from Delhi, IA due to the railroad ending here. Ernie's family has owned land here ever since. Right now it's 88 acres plus his son's 88 for his farm. Ernie and Eileen have farmed everything from hogs to grass. They have been married 58 years and are still moving around like young kids.
Their place is beautiful (see pics). Multiple rooms available for the night, a bar, foosball table (Pud, Stank, you down), and laundry. But most of all great hospitality and conversation. Please check out their Facebook page and see just how cool it/they are.
It's odd how these things have happened, but I'm grateful for the encounters with these great people.
Something I love about TX/OK is the manners and courtesy people have here. It's really a breathe of fresh air.
Ian Fredrick Hembry's Travel Trip of the Day: "Discarding glass out the window onto the road is not good for cyclists."
John Cernohous Daily Dose of Wisdom: "If it was a snake it would have bit you." - in reference to Ian not being able to find his water bottle for five minutes, which coincidently right under a bag four inches from him.
Nate Herrig's Just Tell me About the Good Section:
Boom-A-Rang Dinner's burgers. One word- awesome. Great, juicy, flavor-filled burgers for a great price. Tell them the weird cyclists sent you.
Five Things I Learned Today:
1) We three will win the war on grasshoppers in OK. I think I had 15 hit me, accidentally ran over multiple, and may have even eaten one. The others confirmed nearly the same result. Not to mention the thousand we took out on the bridge over the Red River. Cavalcade 1 Bugs 0
2) Eating in between meals on day like today is apparently really important.
3) Boom-A-Rang isn't just a Australian weapon, but a solid diner in Marlow, OK.
4) Ernie and Eileen are great people and have a wonderful place to stay.
5) John is allergic to cats. Cat's like John. Cat bites John. John hates cat. Situational irony at its best.
The 90 miles today were long, but you gotta love the grind!
We'd like to thank everyone that responds to FB posts, reads the blog, replies to the blog, sends us texts about weather that could happen, and people that text about places to eat. You guys are a great help, thank you very much.
The next three days look like this (tentatively speaking- we have a history of rain, mechanical issues, and wind):
Thursday- Enid, OK
Friday- Arkansas City, KS
Saturday- Wichita, KS
Via highways: OK 81 until Enid then stair stepping to Wichita.
We'll try to keep getting more pictures. We'll post some of Ernie and Eileen tomorrow after breakfast.
Tomorrow we'll pass the halfway point of our trip. It's sad to think, I enjoy these guys, the people, the road, and sharing this adventure with you. I wish I could just write for a travel magazine or a novel to keep sharing these types of experiences with anyone who would read/listen.
Attached are the pictures from today. Oh yeah,Ii forgot, Ian got a sweet dragon tattoo.
Have a good one and talk to you later down the road.
Until then,
KRS
P.S.
Brady you are right I'm a little tired. Maybe when I get back I can take you and Luke for a short bike tour?
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