Day 26, Thursday, June 30, 2005
Great Bend, KS to McPherson, KS
(320 feet of climbing)
64.8 miles, 14 mph, 4hr 37min 5sec
Max speed 25.2 mph
Up at 5:45, 6:30 breakfast at our Highland Hotel: scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, oatmeal, juice and coffee, 7.20 load luggage, 7:30 on the road.
The weather forecast for today was for possible thunderstorms, high in the 90's, and an ENE wind (headwinds) but it didn't really happen. Maybe that was because I took my rain coat with me. There were no storms, it was partly cloudy and the wind was light and turned into a gentle crosswind. Therefore it was another nice cycling day. But the heat built up to 99F in McPherson at 2PM.
There are oil rigs everywhere out here in Kansas and wheat grows in strange places - on light poles! (see pics). Every so often we come across a historical marker and they tell very interesting stories.
My cycling time today was only about 4 1/2 hours so I joined nine other cyclists for lunch in McPherson at the Main Street Deli. The place was quite crowded, seems to be a very popular place for lunch. We chatted with many other customers. They were quite interested in our cycling adventure. Mel made friends with a nice little boy 'Caden' who was with his brother, mother and grandmother - all from Houston, Texas. It was a fun lunch! By the way, do you think Doug looks like Dr. Seuss? After lunch we went next door to a Music store/Model Train store. The owner took us downstairs to see his Huge model train layout (HO and N gauge) - very impressive!
Dinner was at Montana Mike's a chain restaurant located in the hotel. The pictures here show a happy group, and we are! Everyone shares with and cares about everyone else. We are a small group that gets along great and are thoroughly enjoying our Cross Country Challenge. ABB staff is doing a great job supporting us and congratulations go out to Doug Torosian ABB president for having such a fine organization.
|
|
|
|
|
