Atlantic to Pacific Cycling Journey 2011: Day 29 Medora to Rush Center

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Miles 105.48 Total 1889.54 Daily Avg 65.16

Avg Speed 14.2 Max Speed 22.1 Alt Climbed 1716

After spending the night in Wichita we departed the hotel at 7:30 and drove the hour back to Medora. It was a cool morning with overcast skies threatening showers. The clouds and cool weather kept the wind down to almost nothing. About an hour into the ride it began to drizzle, nothing that required a jacket, but enough to keep us cool. After a half hour the rain stopped.

We are now in the Great Plains and the Santa Fe Trail which connected merchants from St. Louis and northern Mexico. Flat pastures and grasslands dominate the landscape and roadkill is replaced with curious cows, watching us as we passed. We enjoy watching the cows watch us as we pass. They lift their heads and start the wave, like at a football game. As we pass one by one they slowly turn their heads and watch us go by, then return to eating the grass as we pass. One stretch of road today was 58 miles straight, and flat as an arrow without any sign of civilization, no service stations, churches or convenient stores. Prior to hitting these section we must check or map and make sure our water bottles are filled.

Joey met us for lunch in Larned after 74 miles. The weather was getting warmer but the wind was not to bad so Kelly and I decided to ride another 31 miles to Rush Center for the night. The first 11 miles were not to rough with a cross wind. Then we turned North for the final 20 miles into 12 mph headwind with a 3% incline for 75% of the ride. We were glad to reach Rush Center at 5:00pm. This is a crossroads of Route 183 and Route 96. Nothing but a liquor store, two bars and city park for us to camp. My kind of place.

Just as we arrived in town we could see storm clouds forming in the west. The State police stopped a fellow rider Mario, from Miami and told him to make sure he found some cover. About this time a young twenty something couple from N. Virginia riding eastbound stopped in town. They stopped at the bar next to the park and we shared a beer while we waited for the storm to pass. The storm brought some strong winds and a little rain, within the hour the skies cleared for a beautiful evening.

Our accomplishment for today was completing our 5th map with 7 to go. Se also completed our first Century of our trip. A Century is 100 miles.