Day 15 Abilene, KS to Topeka, KS 108 miles

Today is a relatively short day, but it is on the hard side. While the terrain and weather are reasonable – rolling hills and overcast, our legs are tired from fighting the wind yesterday. Still, we get in at a reasonable time, about 2:30, and then ride to the bike store (another 12 mil.es roundtrip). We get to the bike store before the rest of the riders, so we have a good selection. I get a pair of tires, a new chain, and more Chamois Butt’r. The ride back from the store was a bit awkward, with the pair of tires slung around my neck. We stop at DQ for a shake on the way back. Mike checks my chain after I get back and says I still have some wear on it … it might last till Indiana.

We go out to eat at an Italian place for dinner … they have all you can eat pasta…and celebrate making it half-way. Pretty good stuff. There were ten of us … took two cab trips to get there. There was a grocery store in the shopping center, so while we waited for the cab to come back to pick us up, I picked up a pint of ice cream.

Day 14 Great Bend, KS to Abilene, KS 129 miles

It has been a long 24 hours.

Last night there were two tornado warnings where we had to go to the hotel shelter … along with the guests at a wedding reception. Others in the group who were elsewhere also had to take shelter. Some were at Walmart, where they were sent to the pillow aisle. Others were at Applebee’s, were they were sent to the kitchen by the pots and knives. Different approaches. While tornados did touch down a few miles south of the hotel, the only damage was to our nerves; the only loss was our sleep.

Jerry did manage to get a dentist last night; he went through the phone book and dialed the home numbers of the dentists. He explained the situation to the first one he got through to, who said to meet him at his office in 15 minutes. He will need more work at the end of the ride, but he should be good for the next 3-4 weeks.

In the morning a thunderstorm is going on as we get up, so we leave the hotel an hour or so late. We ride through a bit of storm debris and get rerouted due to flooding. During the day we are told to take shelter, as a large storm is coming. Jerry, Dave, Ian, and I were riding together and go up to a farmhouse, where they invite us in. We only stay a few minutes before Shane knocks on the door and tells us there is a window of opportunity and we can make a run for the next town … about 20 miles away. We thank our hosts and dash off. It starts to rain as we are a few miles away and Jerry stops to put on his coat, but sends us on, as he’ll be able to catch up. We make it to the town and find the lunch sag just as it starts to pour … very, very hard. Jerry hasn’t caught up … he had a flat … but pulls in 10 minutes later. After lunch and waiting a while, the storm lets up and we head off again. After 15 miles or so we get waved over to a convenience store and are told to take shelter again. Eventually the whole group is there and we wait for an hour or so before being sent off. We don’t get rained on much the rest of the way, but continue to fight strong winds and flats. We get to the hotel after 6:00 PM and are beat. We learn that a tornado touched down somewhere along our path today.

After a quick change we head over to Pizza Hut and have dinner – all you can eat salad bar and some pasta. As we are about to leave Brian comes over and chats. We learn that Dave ran into a dog and was sent to the hospital immobilized … hope he is okay. On the way back it is storming again and Jerry, Dave, and Bill get a ride back with a pizza delivery guy. I walk/run back, stopping at a store to get a pint of ice cream and a Gatorade.

Day 13 Dodge City, KS to Great Bend, KS 86 miles

We wake to the news that a tornado has struck the town of Greensberg, some 20 miles from Dodge City, killing 8 people. The forecast is for a windy day, with severe weather possible later in the day. Mike calls us together in the morning for a talk about the weather and the plans for the day. The suggested sight-seeing trips for the day are now off the agenda … the idea is now to get from here to there as quickly as possible in order to minimize exposure to the storm. Mike sends us off earlier than planned.

Jerry, Dave, Brian, Logan, and I ride together almost all day. It is a short day and we ride at a solid pace, averaging 18.5 mph in spite of a strong cross wind (15-20 mph) that makes riding a bit tough. We are quicker than normal at the sags – and we’re usually fast. We make it to Great Bend before noon and head to a Brahms (sp?) for ice cream before checking in. After checking in we head to the bike store – which is closed – and then to Subway. When we get back to the hotel, the luggage has arrived, so we take ours to our rooms, shower, and then take our chairs outside and eat our sandwiches. Jerry and Dave head off to Walmart to look at cameras; I head to the local Laundromat to do laundry. I check out e-mail, tomorrow’s route, and tomorrow’s weather as the laundry does its thing. The news is blaring about the tornado, which totally leveled Greensburg, and the current severe weather watches/warnings. I’ll be glad when the next few days are done and we get away from this weather pattern.

At breakfast Pam talks about numbness in her finger, which reminds me that the numbness I have in my arm/hand may be ride related, not necessarily the onset of MS or ALS. Don’t know if I’m being paranoid … as I read through the ALS symptoms I see several that are a possibility, so the idea that the numbness is just ride related is reassuring. Still, I won’t be truly reassured until after talking with Dr. Kita.

At 4:00 PM we get our briefing for tomorrow. With the weather conditions, the outlook for tomorrow is very questionable. Mike says this is the worst set of conditions he’s seen in the 40 odd rides he’s been with. After getting the briefing, we head out to dinner at Applebee’s, right next door. Jerry breaks a tooth and heads out to find a dentist. I take his ribs to his room in case he wants them later on. Hopefully he can find a Dentist on a Saturday evening! Back in my room, I watch the storm warnings on TV as I update the log. It shows a storm headed right at us! The hotel moved guests to shelter three times last night. Wow! There is a Tornado warning for this county for the next half hour.

Day 12 Liberal, KS to Dodge City, KS 82 miles

Today was a short riding day. After breakfast at the Pancake House, Jerry, Dave, Ken, Logan, Bill, and I set out – we were the first to leave. Bill dropped off after a few miles, but the rest of us stayed together the whole way. The first 36 miles or so were in the fog … it was very damp, with drops forming on our glasses, requiring us to wipe them off every little bit in order to see. Supposedly we went thru a town or two, but I couldn’t see them. I ran off the road twice – but not because of the fog. The fog lifted shortly before we got to the one sag for the day at the Dalton Gang hideout and Museum in Meade. Shortly after we got there a group of Mennonite school kids arrived and took the tour … they were dressed very nicely.

After the sag (a very early lunch) we continued on. Most of the day we had a cross wind and went at a very reasonable pace – around 18 mph. The last 20 miles we had a tailwind and what a difference – we started out at about 25 mph and ended at about 30 mph. I was grateful when I was in the front – even though I was going 26-27 mph, at least it kept someone else from going faster. The bigger tires on my bike (700 x 32 vs 700 x 23-25 on the others) make a big difference – at least that’s my excuse as to why I was dying and they weren’t.

We got into town and after a few pictures, checked in at the motel just before noon. After unloading the luggage and a quick shower, we went into town to the Boot Hill Museum and then lunch – good BBQ at the Casey’s Cowtown Club.

Day 11 Dalhart, TX to Liberal, KS 113 miles

With the time zone change it is still dark when we have breakfast at Hodie’s. Jerry and I are first to the restaurant and are ready to leave well before sunrise. We wait till we get the go ahead, after first light but still a bit before sunrise. It is a good, solid pace all day and the route is straight and slightly downhill, so we make good time, getting to the hotel before 2:00 PM.

After a Subway stop for a post-ride snack, I ride about 10 miles around town and visit the two Bank of America branches in Liberal… I had worn my Bank of America jersey today, so it was a natural.

I took my bike to the Mechanic’s Time to have the bottom bracket checked … just to make sure … and it was doing fine. Then we went to dinner at the Taste of China … it was close (across the street) and all you can eat.

Day 10 Tucumari, NM to Dalhart, TX 96 miles

We change time zones again today, but the clock in my room is already an hour ahead. Consequently, I get up earlier than I need to. Oh well. I check out the weather and can see the rain system headed our way, following our path. Looks like Seattle weather! After breakfast at the hotel, we hit the road, rain gear on, dodging light rain. It is an uneventful, relatively short ride (96 miles). We do get really wet a few times. Jerry has two flats; I have my second of the trip right as we pull into the motel. If you have to have a flat, that’s the place to have it!

After getting into dry clothes and situated in my room, we head to DQ. A Cherry Shake and a Dude Chicken Fried Steak sandwich. Pretty good, but I’m saving room for dinner. Then it is time to change my flat, check the tires, and clean the bike.

We have the rap meeting for the next day at 5:00 PM. It looks like its going to be a good day – basically downhill all the way, straight, dry, and with a favorable wind. Mike says just watch out for tumbleweeds. After the rap we head to Hodies for BBQ, then stop at DQ on the way back.

Day 9 Las Vegas, NM to Tucumari, NM 110 miles

It is cold as we ride to breakfast, but we are among the first ones there, so we order first, eat first, and leave first. It was true confession time – I told Barb that I was going to have to buy one of the ABB bike shorts because of leaving a pair at the hotel … I figure if you can’t laugh at yourself, you’re missing out on a lot of laughs. Jerry confesses that he forgot to put his luggage on the truck and sign out, so Barb tries calling Mike to let him know, but Mike is now in trouble (Jerry is off the hook) as his phone is turned off.

Today’s ride is all on county roads. Two quick turns after breakfast, and then we’re on the same road for the next 106 miles or so. Hard to get lost. It was a great change of pace from riding on the interstate. Lots of headwinds, but a great day of riding.

We (Jerry, Ken, & I) get in first to the hotel. The hotel had a nice reception for us – juice, fresh fruit, cheese, & cookies). After munching there for a bit, we run over to A&W for a Root Beer Float (actually two medium’s). Then it is time to do the laundry and what do I find but the shorts I thought I had lost. I fess up to Barbara.

For dinner I join Bob, Bob, and Scott at the restaurant next to the hotel. I have a burger, fries, and salad bar. After dinner I e-mail some pictures and the log. I ask Dorothy to make an appointment with Dr. Ravits … my right hand and arm have been weak for the past few days, presumably a progression of the numbness I’ve had there for years.