28th May 2018 Monday – Hottest temperature I’ve seen on a cycle (again)

Hello Everybody!

Route: Newton to Sterling

For the non-mathematicians out there:

Distance: 64 miles (Total 1,770)	Average speed: 14.7 mph
Calories: 1,607	Cycling time: 4h 21min
Average cadence: 69 rpm	Climb: 958ft, Descent: 695ft
Heart (yes I have one): Max 131 Aver 112	Aver Temp: 35C, Max temp 42C
Temperament: Loving the wind at my back day again

I set off fairly early at 9.15am and sped along with a very nice tailwind. I was doing around 16-18mph at 99bpm which is just about the same heartbeat as when Ruth is just about to start getting on my nerves. And the answer to your question is: yes, my heart rate rarely goes below 95bpm when at home and 52bpm when Ruth is away.

Back to matters of serious import – actually I am being serious for once. I was passing through Hesston, which was about 8 or so miles into the ride when I saw people congregating at the local cemetery. I stopped and was approached by a very nice lady, who was, and I think still is, called Karen. Karen explained that the gathering was a memorial service for the armed forces and would I like to join them.

I thought for a while and then decided to stay and attend as this was the last day of their Memorial weekend – most similar to our Remembrance Day. The service was fairly short at 30 minutes but was a very moving and uplifting experience. There were a few speeches all of which were relatively brief but all were well delivered and offered a simple message. We sang God Bless America and had a couple of trumpet solos which were played extremely well. Anyway, I was really pleased to have attended this service and I think the people who I talked with before and after the service were pleased I’d stayed.

Warning another act of kindness. Issac, in the picture, very kindly gave me $20 donation just as I was leaving. Well done to Issac and thank you from me and the children your donation will be helping.

The attendees and honour guard:

So I carried on as only someone who knows how to carry on, carries on. I was again amazingly enjoying the cycling, miles just vanished and my legs, whilst not very muscly (yes it is a real word) did not mind the pace. Joy.

As I Approached Buhler I noticed that I had a strange feeling “down there” i.e. I was hungry. I know what you were all thinking…. tut tut and thrice tut. I stopped to chat with a man who was doing some manual job which looked quick tricky. Either way he was happy to tell me that the town had a grocery store which might be open but was probably closed. I thanked him with a wave of my doffed cycling helmet and turned for Buhler Main Street. Hmm, on Memorial Monday it was not so much Main as Empty & Closed – still it was a holiday. So I sat down on one of the outside cafe tables – it was closed as well so nobody minded. I started to munch an energy bar with my warm water – livin’ the life, Al, livin’ the life.

Anyway, I suddenly became aware of a presence and I looked up to see a big Merican truck-car and a very nice chap next to it. He said he saw me and just wanted to check if I was OK etc. We got chatting and I discovered, not by a forensic analysis of the facts before me but cos Chris told me, that he owned the cabinet/furniture shop over the road and he was just goofing around and then saw me so decided to say hello. Anyway, he offered me two bottles of water which I easily snaffled up pronto. He was a really nice guy, and ladies, a bit of a beefcake with the bluest eyes I have seen this side of the Missiipppsiieps river.

My next stop was at Nickerson, where I entered small grocery store heaven. They sold klondyke ice-cream bars which I could easily live on forever and a day, bananas and they were real ones. The two staff were also good fun and when I asked for the restroom, one of the women said it’s in the back but don’t be scared. Well, I wasn’t scared until she said that. Anyway, the moment passed very quickly and I was then back on my way to Sterling.

Now you may not believe this but the next bit is 100% true. I arrived at my next Airbnb and cycled up to a man who looked a bit surprised to see me. Well, the reason he did look surprised is that he was surprised and said he thought I was due to arrive the next day or tomorrow whichever was the soonest. [EDITOR NOTE: Alan told me that when Ruth reads this she will probably say out loud: “What a plonker, he’s done it again”. Ruth is referring to the many examples of Alan getting his days mixed up and arriving at various destinations either early, late or never at all]. Now I bet when Ruth reads this she will probably say out loud: “What a plonker, he’s done it again” but for ONCE I am right and you are wrong Pet.

The man, who I decided to call Bob and his wife Sonam had both got their dates mixed up, but they said I could stay so I did. Other than their calendar mishap, they were fantastic hosts who had only relatively recently moved to Sterling. Bob grew up there. Bob & Sonam were real-world travellers and true free spirits. They were already planning their next move back to India. Bob had been in a couple of bands and managed a couple and they were both very easy to get on with, and they put up with me.

They were going out to a BBQ at a nearby river so Sonam offered to make me a meal. This resulted in me eating a most delicious meal of salad - fresh from their garden), chicken, tomato sauce, and spaghetti which was a perfect meal considering I was not expected.

I decided to have a walk around Sterling and it turned out to be a very nice place – a lake, nice community park, proper main street and a general nice friendly feel. I slept soundly that night.

Cheerio from Frankie and Alie xxx

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