Day 58
July 13, 2015
Miles: 72
Yates Center to Osawatomie
We had four things happen today worth highlighting. First, we made a new record today; we rode over the 2000 mile mark. So exciting! Second, we had a tailwind all day. Wooo hooooo!!! Third, we rode the Prairie Spirit Bike Rail Trail for 25 miles. Very cool! Lastly, today we experienced the Kansas heat and humidity for the first time. Ben and Jen warned us about the Kansas heat, but not until today did we really experience it.
We left the room this morning at 6:45a and were seated at the restaurant by 7:00a. It has been a long time since getting an early start. It felt great getting up early, and because we rested yesterday we were raring to go. For me yesterday's rest day was more a mental health day. I guess after six days of riding into the wind and three days of sleeping on either the ground or a sofa, or on a gazebo wooden floor, and not to mention three consecutive nights of tooting trains ... well ... I really needed a day off. We both were very glad we decided to rest yesterday. We felt physically stronger today and emotionally zen! And knowing that Michelle and Brian are willing to retrieve us wherever we are really helps!
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| Another fantastic breakfast |
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| Lawn Ornament |
Before we hit the bike trail we rode the first 20 miles with a great tailwind. We passed by the Missouri River along the way.
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| Missouri River |
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| Steve enjoying the river |
It was getting hot at this point. About 85 degrees and rising fast. The next 28 miles would be riding on this trail. We decided to get lunch at the 48 mile mark in Garnett and at the point where we planned to get off the trail.
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| Trail began in Iola |
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| Buying a permit to ride the trail ($3.50 each) |
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| Nice cover |
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| Bridge overpass |
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| Steve loving the trail's beauty |
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| Short break in the shade |
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| We crossed over Rhode Island Road |
At this point it was over 90 degrees and we lost our cover on the trail. It was hot and humid. The surface of the trail was made of crushed limestone. Unfortunately, this surface slowed us down by a few mph, but it was direct, and free of cars and pedestrians. We passed by only one person the entire time on the trail.
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| Very hot with no cover |
The final 24 miles were filled with lots of rolling hills, but the tailwind really helped us along nicely. The road surface was in great condition, extremely smooth asphalt, so we were rolling fast. We rolled into town at about 4:30p. We rode total 72 miles for the day. The temperature was 97. Steve took this picture of an old factory in Osawatomie.
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| An abandoned factory |
We have about 1600 miles to ride to Yorktown VA, now having 2000 miles behind us. Tomorrow, we are headed to Clinton, MO about 69 miles and about 250 miles from St. Louis after tomorrow.
My oldest niece turned 27 today - wishing you Happy Birthday Christina!
I can't help but notice the detail, such as, you wrote Osawatomie, CO instead of KS. �� glad you rested yesterday as it paid off today. It looked so hot there but I guess it's better than riding in the rain. Safe travels tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteWow 72 miles! Hope you had a restful night. Lawn ornament was a little scary, but the river shot was awesome. I like the thought of water being nearby you. Maybe it's the Pisces in me! The Iola bike path looked really interesting and the pictures of the trees that shaded and protected you were beautiful. 97 was too hot! Hope today is cooler! I'll be praying for clouds to cover you today. Wish you were riding on a Rhode Island Road! Can't wait to see you in 1600 miles...Love and miss you my sister! Namaste to you both! ❤️
ReplyDeleteI love the picture at breakfast- the booth and the walls looks so cool. I can't believe you're finally getting out of Kansas today! We've talk about this state so much and you will finally have it behind you, WAHOO!! Too bad you have to head into the heat and humidity. Love the pics, it sounds like a great day! And you are crushing the miles :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the birthday shoutout! Glad you guys got a rest day in yesterday! I was late to read the grasshopper post, so gram caught me up on it at lunch yesterday, telling me that it rode with you 2,000 miles on the speedometer! I was glad to see that was a mistake, because if that were true, I assume you'd have been riding with a dead grasshopper. Stay cool!
ReplyDelete2000 miles! 72 miles in one day! The entire state of Kansas! 97 degrees! Are you kidding me!?! Amazing.
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ReplyDeleteHey, I noticed that you will be passing just south of Lake Annette! Please be careful in that heat. Don't push too hard.
Great to read of your 2000 miles of riding. Wow!!Enjoyed to the pictures of you riding on that beautiful Bike Trail with shade and all. Strange to see the town hall in the middle of a park. As I read the blog to Dad, I also showed him all the pictures you took. He did remark on the breakfast. Imagine seeing a sign RI Road, cool! Dad has been talking about the heat wave out there, hope you leave it all behind you for awhile.. Diane, we like the picture of you near that red car, cute!! We feel as you do, that those wonderful friends will pick you up wherever, nice!! Love you both, Take care of yourselves, and safe riding. We miss you so much!!
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