Windy Heights B & B in Lakin in the early morning light.
82.53 miles, 6.26 hours riding time, and lots of rest stops today.
Up at 6 as usual for breakfast at the B & B, and off with cool temps and clouds. We had a pleasant hour before the Kansas wind joined us...head to side wind again. Really foggy for the first few hours so we could not see far, but knew we weren't missing any great views. Just fields, grain elevators and feed lots. About 27 miles to Garden City where we stopped at a convenience store for a quick break. More traffic, lots of trucks, but a decent shoulder. Lost a bit of time with our first flat tire, but a quick change put us back on the road soon.
Really agonizing not being quite ready for the long days and wind. Our quads ached, or back were stiff, our butts sore. We were happy for the road construction at several points along the way so we could get off our bikes to wait for the pilot car. Of course the pilot car always made several passes back and forth while we were still making our way through. One flag man was too busy texting to bother with us. We asked if we should go and he said "sure, just don't get run over!" Gee, Kansas folks are so nice, mostly.
Lunch was sitting at a grain elevator for snacks of cheese and crackers, grapes and cookies.
On to Cimarron at mile 62 for a stop at an old-time soda fountain. Bill met us there for chocolate shakes, always looking for the good things in life. See....we do have a little fun on the trip.
Then back on the road for another agonizing 25 miles into Dodge City. There is a wonderful view of Santa Fe Trail wagon ruts before entering Dodge. OK, trust me, even if you can't see.
It was 5 pm before we got to the campground, after 9 1/2 hours since starting out. Our speed was not too bad considering the day-long wind, we just have to stop often. After setting up the tents, we decided Applebee's would be a great choice for supper.
Life in camp includes laundry and at least a bit of down time.
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