Eastern Kansas…water and the color green

 After three weeks in the southwest, and western parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, I didn’t realize just how much I missed the sight of open water.  And green. 


Today was an absolutely spectacular ride. Perfect weather, perfect views, perfect pace.  I spent the first three hours with a stupid grin on my face just feeling… Joy.  

At one point, I was literally tearing up I was so happy. Either that, or my eyes were watering from the speed of a descent. Probably the latter.  But I was deliriously happy.

(Photo credit Steve Harvey)

I couldn’t even get irritated with the Kansas State highway department and their absolutely ridiculous placement of rumble strips.  (That said, when some of this euphoria fades, I will be writing a sternly worded letter…)

I’m wearing the postal team kit behind riding buddy John


My conditioning has improved immensely. We knocked out 81 miles in less than 4.5 hours over some rolling terrain.  (That’s pretty fast for an old amateur cyclist…) 

And I felt like I could ride another 30 or 40 miles without getting tired.  My heart rate averaged 110 and never went over 120, even on the climbs.   All at the end of a 9 day, 710 mile stretch without a rest day.  What a difference three weeks of daily biking and over 1600 miles makes…

That said, I am very happy to have a rest day. I celebrated our early arrival first by bellying up to the trough (with the Georgia boys, John and Rich) at an all-you-can-eat Pizza Ranch.   Rather than all-you-can-eat they should really call it eat-anything-you-can-find. Because the place was packed with hearty folks descending on the buffet line moments after any item was placed on it. The poor manager look like he had been through a war.  America!  But by coordinating our attacks on the buffet in the manner of a well organized paceline, we were able to extract plenty of calories.   Also, I tried for the senior discount and got carded…FTW  

Second up, taking in a matinee.

Fresh popcorn !  Highly entertaining movie!   Gosling and Blunt have great chemistry.   She’s a Director and he’s a stuntman and several years earlier, they were having a fling.   I especially love the scene where she, angry with him for cutting off contact with her and wanting a reason, keeps reshooting the take of setting him on fire and throwing him into a boulder.  And doing it over and over until he explains  himself in front of the entire cast over a bullhorn.

Even better…Private screening!


I suspect there isn’t much going on in Emporia Kansas on a typical day, but in a few days time there will be 4000 of the best gravel bike racers in the world descending on this place for


We will be down the road before that all happens, but the pro teams started showing up this afternoon for training runs. 

—- 

Other notables 

I’m now in the 23rd different hotel in 25 days, and I have yet to forget what room I’m in or try to let myself into somebody else’s room. #hotelproud

Today’s music featured some ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Black Keys, Thomas Dolby, and lots of Spanish guitar.   But the highlight of my soundtrack was riding into Emporia, listening to the Run for Cover acapella album Pynk that my son Alex arranged and sang on.  Check it out! 

I’m really going to miss this part of Kansas  

(Photo credit Steve Harvey )






Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 28, 2024 at 6:34 AM

    Sounds like a couple of glorious days! Enjoy your well-deserved rest! gt

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 28, 2024 at 7:17 AM

    If you’re still looking for music suggestions, I’ve loved Ladysmth Black Mambazo for decades. gt

    ReplyDelete
  3. Peter HMay 28, 2024 at 4:36 PM

    Enjoy the rest!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMay 29, 2024 at 6:47 AM

    it can be very emotional on a tour like this - I know that too.

    what is the food like at the SAG stop - do you get enough bananas and other fruits

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousMay 29, 2024 at 1:05 PM

      Consistently grapes and bananas. Occasionally melons. Aometimes pastries. And then usually a mix of sweet and salty snacks plus assorted bars and gels if you like that sort of thing. I tend to prefer food. Dh

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMay 30, 2024 at 12:12 AM

      thanks for the information - healthy food is still best - when I have to ride long distances I usually eat pasta for dinner, that gives me energy for the next day

      Delete

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