Today was another long day. Not only because of the headwinds but also because it was more than 100 miles to Hutchinson. Immediately, after getting back onto KS 96 I encountered rolling hills. I was not expecting them. At first I thought if this was going to be the case all the way to Hutchinson it was going to a longer ride than anticipated. But after a while I got my groove with the rolling hills and it wasn’t so bad. Maybe it is practice for points east. But, after 14 miles it was all flat again.
At one point I turned off KS 96 onto 140 street and the winds were head on. This street crossed county lines, changes names and is straight for almost its entire 54 miles in length. There is very little traffic on this road and no shoulders but felt very safe. It was so deserted that it is the first time that I listened to music, or a podcast, while cycling. Before that I was just listening to the wind, grasshoppers, cows, and whatever else was out there.
Immediately upon turning onto 140 street a mini van approached and came to a stop in the middle or the road. It was a guy name Mike Loudon. Mike asked if I wanted a Powerade. I gladly accepted it and drank it quickly. Then after another 40 miles I encountered a cyclists oasis in the middle of nowhere. A sign on the road said “Bottled water for bikers”. I am no fool I had to stop and have some ice water.
After getting my fill of ice water about 10 miles later a woman came up to me and asked if I wanted anything cold to drink. She was riding as a “sag” vehicle for her daughter that was riding east to west for the week. People in Kansas are the nicest that I have encountered so far.
Today’s stats: total mileage 105.76 miles; average speed 13.1 mph; maximum speed 22.8 mph; elevation gain 499 feet, elevation descent 745 feet.