31st May 2018 Thursday – Sad farewell to magic Kansas, hello to yet more jammy good luck

Hello Everybody!

Route: Scott City to Sheridan Lake

For the non-mathematicians out there:

Distance: 77 miles (Total 2,019)	Average speed: 14.6 mph
Calories: 1,836	Cycling time: 5h 16min
Average cadence: 69 rpm	Climb: 1,414ft, Descent: 282ft
Heart (yes I have one): Max 122 Aver 110	Aver Temp: 32C, Max temp 40C
Temperament: I wish I was born in Kansas

I really enjoyed the first 35 miles of today. Let me explain. Went across the road to have my breakfast. I had the usual – scrambled eggs on toast. However, it did not look like the usual as I think it was a fried egg which was then attacked by a knife and fork so technical it was a scrambled egg. 3 coffees and OJ and we were again off.

The first 0.4 miles went without event. I could even say nothing much happened. If I wanted to make the point I could also say, I did not notice much of anything. Furthermore, I could say the road was like every other road we had ridden on.

After 0.4 miles EVERYTHING changed. There were roadworks at the main street – Route 96 intersection going west. I thought how best not to be too inconvenienced by this so did the usual. Crossed to the other side of the road, had a quick chat with a chicken, and then crossed back to the right side which funnily enough was the right side. 

If this was a video, you would have heard me giggling like a little kid

What I then discovered was that the gap between cars being stopped was about 4 miles and a pilot car would escort each group of cars up and down the roadworks. So Mr Swinhoe was giggling as I had the road to myself for most of the time AND it was newly laid tarmac – smoother than a baby’s botty and just for me. I’ve since heard that they set a gang of people out during the night to tap out any bumps using teaspoons. I love Kansas.

Anyway, the morning was great but the afternoon was a little bit headwindy but we made good progress in spite of this. I stopped in Leoti and had a lovely early lunch – actually my second scrambled eggs on toast of the day but this time with proper scrambled eggs. I then stopped in Tribune which was much smaller than I’d expected as it looks quite big on the map. I ended up in a petrol convenience store but they had a lovely mint chocolate milkshake and Naked very berry drink, both for free, so I drank both before they changed their minds. 

I also met Eric who was going the other way but we shared tips i.e. don't talk to strangers, don't step on the lines in the pavement, sorry sidewalk, put your left sock on first etc. etc.

I also moved across another time zone – I am now 7 hours behind everybody but I am used to that when I am in the UK so no change there then. 

What was weird was that I was still in Kansas when the clock lost an hour.
Like I said weird as the state line was only about 10+ miles away,

I also sadly left Kansas, the second home in my heart, after Cleethorpes of course. Kansas was easily the best state I have been in so far, the people, the tailwinds (mostly), the terrain (flat mostly), the genuine kindness, the number of donations, the friendly waving at trucks, cars and especially Harley Davidson riders made each day a little easier. The people make the place but the place helps itself as well with the beautiful vistas that make the sky seem huge – there is nothing much between you and it. Kansas I love you.

Once I got to Sheridan Lakes, the fun really started. I had booked a $2 dollar tent place in a RV site i.e. the place would not be that ideal for tents. 

After some chatting with Joanna who runs the local convenience store, I had changed my tent option into a church option with kitchen, floor for a bed, AC, power but no WiFi available. 

I also had my second outdoors shower via a water pump. It was actually very warm as the host had been left out in the open and the sun had warmed the water trapped inside. I know I am explaining this as if talking to a small child but then again you lot aren't that far from the mental age are you? So I got wet with the warm water, then turned off shower, then added soap, then turned on water again, then shrieked out loud as water was now freezing flipping cold, then dried off quickly.

Also, I actually ended up sleeping in a tent in the church, as they are going through bible study this week and I need to be up by 8.00 in the morning as the kids arrive by then – see photo. Obsvillearizona I picked the biggest tent.

My "sitting room"

My kitchen

My biggest tent

Today felt much hotter than it really was so this option was very appealing to me and so far I have really enjoyed the odd interruption from people coming into the church. I had a Sandy and a vegetable sandwich and have eaten half of each so breakfast will be the same as dinner. By the time I leave, I will also have drunk 1 gallon (or 3.78l) of milk and a large can of fruit drink with added Vitamin C.

Tomorrow is likely to be a harder day as I am cycling for about 83 miles and the wind might just be in my face a bit but we’ll see. I have been very lucky with the prevailing winds so far so let’s see if my luck holds out.

Anyway, happy Thursday, from Al & Frankie xxxxxxxx