First stop of the day was Tony's Midway Stop. This place was rocking. Oil workers, sanitation employees, ranch hands and others looked at us with bewilderment. One nice guy from Dallas said he saw us yesterday, but he said he thought there were more of us. Must have been some other crazies.
The first food stop of the day was Greazy Steve's restaurant in Pond Creek, OK. The place reeked of masculinity, as all the oil workers turned there head and stated at three aliens in spandex.
We all had the ribeye sandwich special. It was a good meal and the cashier couldn't believe our trip. Some oil workers overheard the conversation and told us we were crazy. Well yeah, duh
As we moved north, we also passed the Missouri Compromise line and left the Confederacy behind.
We ran into a small 14 seat bar ran but an older man with rocked a short sleeve button up over bibs. He's name was Gerald and it looked like he'd seen it all. He was very accommodating considering his place didn't look like it had if changed in 35 years. Hope he had a good night.
In Caldwell, KS we stopped at 1 Stop gas station to eat and drink water. Some really nice farmers razed us about riding bikes from Austin, TX to Iowa. They six really nice guys with great attitudes. They had a great sense of humor and flipped us some quality jokes. One even offered us his horse. I tried to trade him my bike straight up, but he wouldn't take it.
We were then lucky enough to have Geri (John's Aunt) and Reed. Geri wanted to ride with us for about thirty miles and Reed ran support. The we're our good luck charms. Reed took care of being the support car and contacting bike shops and hotels in Wichita, while Geri brought us good luck on the road.
When Geri first joined us the winds were swirling and ended up ring a head wind about nine miles after the fast station. It was horrible. But, after we met up with Reed, refueled with water and Gatorade the wind changed. It was a nice little quarter wind out of the SE and pushed us along.
The temperature dropped due to tr huge gray clouds, and rain just a few miles to our left. Lightning flickered in the distance, but the much needed rain fell. At the gas station, John and Ian told the farmers that I bring rain with me. They laughed and said it would help as it had been two months. Well they got it, but I don't think it's me.
Geri rode with us for about 40 miles and then Reed picked her up and dropped us off some water. By this time we only had a little under an hour left before sundown and jus under 10 miles to go to make a 100. Geri and Reed left to take gear to the hotel and find a bike shop. We trudged on.
We ended up averaging about 21mph the last ten plus miles bring out our total mileage for on day to 110.something. It was crazy. I had never rode a hundred, let alone after already rising 450 and dealing with a 104 temp day.
As night fall loomed, the cicadas applauded out feat. We almost made it to the hotel before it got dark and we needed a ride the last 3 miles. It was a long hot day, but we were all excited after the magic number of 100 was reached. We ended up over 110 miles and ran out of daylight. Geri came to pick us up and we made it all fit (bike across the labs of us in back.
Enough can't be said enough about Geri and Reed. Just some of the nicest and happiest people. They definitely bring a Colorado vibe with them. Tomorrow should be about her fun time hanging out with them before they head back.
A few thoughts on Oklahoma:
1) OK seems like it has the most graveyards per capita in the continental US. Either the Chisholm Trail killed thousands or they have a great Halloween.
2) Apparently, OK thinks that no shoulder or rock/gravel covered ones is great.
Ian Fredrick Hembry's Travel Trip of the Day:
"Heat advisories can be ignored as long as you are well-nourished and drink plenty of fluids."
Quote of the Day:
"Dude we totally got him. We flattened his tire..." -John in reference to my flat tire and brake issue this morning.
John Cernohous Daily Dose of Wisdom:
"How fast can we get out of this state?" -Oklahoma musing
Nate Herrig's Just Tell me About the Food Section: Rib sandwich special from Greazy Steve's. Solid McRib-esq sandwich, good waffle fries, and free dessert. Good quantity for the price and a really nice staff.
Five Things I Learned Today:
1) If you can't fix the problem bend it..
2) When you wake up and your tire is flat don't say Friday the 13th.
3) A hundred miles is loonnnnooong
4) The sheer number of sleeveless shirts and jeans in Ok is equal to or greater than Iowa.
5) Ian left his tire back at where Geri picked us up so she has to run back and grab it.
I have fallen asleep three times writing this so I hope it is readable and not redundant.
I hope everyone had a good day and enjoys their weekend.
Off to sleep after the 110 mph in 104 degree heat. Active recovery day tomorrow!
I'm beat, I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Until then,
KRS
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