Good Biking To Great Bend, KS

Before getting into today's ride, I would like to add a couple of items from yesterday's ride.  Actually, it's somewhat of a Coast2Coast blogsite breakthrough: video.  I was having technical problems last night but I believe they have now been resolved.  In an interesting twist, I used Google to solve a Google problem.

I would be remiss if  I did not mention my good friends, Craig and Katherine, at this juncture.  You see, they introduced video into their Sail Blog and it was right at that time that their blogsite went viral.  So I'm expecting big things.

Also, I want to introduce you to the videographer, Tom M. (CA).  Tom and I have evolved into a two-man mini team.  We are both on the "A" team but we generally avoid riding with the true Rabbits.  Instead, we cruise along at a good speed, minimize our SAG time, shoot photos on the fly and, as a result, are usually within the first five riders to make it to the hotel each day.  Hence, our self-proclaimed moniker: The Tortoise Brothers.

The short videos that you are about too view were shot on the fly, which is an amazing story in itself.  Tom does things on a moving bicycle that include: making and receiving cell calls, peeling and eating bananas and, now, shooting videos.  He has offered to share his bananas with me but I have declined, telling him that I don't want to be an accessory to his demise.

The first clip was shot on Highway 283, heading north to Dodge City.  We are traveling at 22+ mph.  You will note the rather narrow shoulder (probably less than 2 feet wide).  The speed limit was 65 mph.  It's rather humorous at the end.

The next clip is of me, riding on the same highway.

Today's ride began with cool yet sunny weather.  It felt invigorating.  The wind was a net unfavorable though not as bad as some other days.  Tom and I used our two-man pace line for almost the entire day.

Gettin' Out of Dodge

Amber waves of grain

Large windmill farms in Spearville.  This is

 one of the windiest areas in the country, which none of us would ever dispute.

Kinsley, KS has taken the Middle America theme to a new level.

The roads were decent today though in some places on the narrow side.

About 15 miles before Great Bend, we took a short half mile side trip to Pawnee Rock.  A quick word about side trips on a cycling tour: they must be short, of significant interest and in a locale that we would not likely be visiting again any time soon, if ever.  Pawnee Rock fit the bill. 

Pawnee Rock is an overlook on the Santa Fe Trail, rising roughly one hundred feet above the surrounding plains.  It is the only elevation within sight so it affords a view of tremendous distance in all directions.  Pioneers heading west from the 1820's on frequently stopped here for a look and to inscribe their names in a sort of "Kilroy was here" fashion.  The Pawnees used this lookout to locate the buffalo herds and, later, to locate the wagon trains.

There is writen record of the plains having been black with the movement of buffalo.

Atop Pawnee Rock; removed cycling shoes to make it up the metal circular staircase.

John F. managed to get the ride in after a better night's sleep (courtesy of strong pharmaceuticals).  He seemed much more relaxed tonight at dinner.

Total Miles:  86             Total Vertical Climb:    800 ft.