McPherson …through amber waves of grain

 My God, what a glorious day to be on a bicycle.  


Mother nature cleared her throat with violent storms overnight, and when we got on the road, the weather was spectacular. Cool with a nice tailwind along a smooth road with little traffic.

We made very good time, even with a flat tire in the last 6 miles.



There is something about wheat fields in the wind…


(Credit Mark Hansen)

We had one sag stop at which I saw this delightful contraption. 

(Abby…THIS is the princess seat!)

Now that is how a child bicycle seat should work. 


And an old timey grain elevator !
(Credit Jodie Oates for the photo and my dad for correcting my misimpression of what it was)


All in all, a chill day of riding at high speeds over gorgeous terrain, with a tailwind making life easy for us.  No deep thunks for the day, just a giant smile on my face and an appreciation for the joy of the open road and the wind in my face.

Finished the day watching the end of the Indy 500 with my new biking friends and eating at Applebees.  For you Survivor fans here is the burger that caused Liz to lose her mind this season   

The Bourbon Street Mushroom Swiss Burger

Pretty pretty pretty good.  


—-

Here’s a better shot of yesterday’s dust bowl  (credit Alena Grubb) 


After tomorrow, another 80 miles and our ninth straight day of riding, we get a rest day. I was scoping out the location and saw that there’s a movie theater a short walk from the hotel. Not even sure what is showing but I’m going to be there with a giant tub of popcorn in hand.  Possibly twice.

My other plan for my rest day is to compile some new music playlists. Getting tired of my old standbys. For anyone still reading this far… Please drop some music suggestions into the replies. And I will load them for the next week plus of riding.  If context matters… We will be finishing Kansas transiting Missouri and getting most of the way through Illinois before our next rest.

Ideas people!!





Comments

  1. Peter HMay 27, 2024 at 4:54 AM

    Maybe you need to get yourself one of those glorious kid bike trailers for grandkids? About playlists, when I get tired of my long-standing workout playlist, I sometimes go for the soundtrack to a musical. I had a blast a couple weeks ago, listening to Hamilton all the way through three times. And because it’s not super easy to understand fast rapping, listening to it three times let me finally make out all the words. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousMay 27, 2024 at 5:16 PM

      Great idea! I love that soundtrack. Dh

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMay 27, 2024 at 12:39 PM

    Heading into Illinois...how about some REO (from Champaign!)...maybe the album REO...or Head East...also Illinois...Flat as a Pancake is a fun album (at least for a 70s nut like me!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousMay 27, 2024 at 12:40 PM

      Oh, sorry, forgot to sign in...that was from Jay A.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMay 27, 2024 at 5:17 PM

      Throw back to jr high dances! Great idea!

      Delete
  3. Tim NMay 27, 2024 at 2:04 PM

    Warren Zevon covers everything from Warren Harding to Lon Chaney Jr. to Patty Hearst on the Excitable Boy album; lots to process on the open road. Let's Face It by Mighty Mighty Bosstones would move your pedals for a while. New albums from Cage the Elephant and Wallows are good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousMay 27, 2024 at 5:17 PM

      I’m inspired to learn some new music ! Thanks Tim! Dh

      Delete
  4. AnonymousMay 29, 2024 at 6:31 AM

    Weathervanes - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sue D.May 29, 2024 at 8:40 AM

    How about some Macklemore and Ryan Lewis? Also, Maino/T.Pain's "All the Above. Good pump up tunes.

    ReplyDelete

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