Oklahoma: Fourth State Line Crossing

By way of historical background, the general area of the Dalhart, TX and Guymon, OK corridor experienced some of the worst effects of the 1930's Dust Bowl disaster.  Drought, overplanting, and lack of crop rotation all contributed to the catastrophe that Steinbeck so poignantly dealt with in "Grapes of Wrath".  The area seems to have recovered from those dark times as the business districts at least look more robust than the Route 66 towns.

The weather improved today although we still had a NE 13 mph wind to deal with.  There was also a threat of thunderstorms which never materialized.  This was also the least climbing of any day of the tour thus far.

Our group of eight set out with the intention of pace lining to combat the headwind.   Four of the riders are our "rabbits", the strongest of the tour, and they couldn't dial it down sufficiently to a pace that would work for the rest of us for 72 miles.  So Tom and I formed our own two-man pace line, switching out every half mile, and it worked extremely well.  I should point out that there is really no competitive angle to the tour.  Riders naturally seek out other riders of comparable strength and style and they wind up riding together.  There are also days when you may feel stronger than other days, and you just go with it.

Early morning, leaving Dalhart, TX

Statue of "Tex" in Conlen, TX

Construction zone on US 54 gave us a lane to ourselves (as so often true, no actual construction going on). Note the ominous clouds - no problem.  Tom in the foreground - taken on the fly.

I'd Sooner be in Oklahoma, or Oklahoma is OK with me

 

Total Miles:   72             Total Vertical Climb:   500 ft.