Today I rode into Kansas, my 6th state on this journey.
It was less than half the mileage of yesterday (Only 56.6) but a really tough gruelling day. That was down to the wind again. For the first hour it was sideways on but then it turned and became a headwind. grrrrrrr
As per usual it really grated me. It is like an invisible mountain to climb except I prefer mountains. With mountains you can get in to a good rhythm or groove when climbing as you can see what's coming. There is also always a downhill to look forward to. The only benefit to wind is that your tears quickly run off and don't well up in yours eyes which would make it difficult to see.
Progress is also painfully slow. With this landscape, which is pretty unremarkable, you don't feel like your getting anywhere.
I did though, eventually rolling into Tribune after 6 hours and 10 minutes.
Riding through the Rockies, the small towns in the middle of nowhere seemed to still have thriving businesses and plenty of motels catering for the travelling custom. I get the feel (so far) that most people avoid stopping in the Plains because very few shops are surviving and you're lucky if there is 1 motel to stay at.
Many of the Agricultural buildings are tin type constructions that resemble aircraft hangers or giant silver/rusted drink cans.
Lots of old wooden buildings are rotted away and have missing windows, roofs, floors etc. It is a bit eerie at times.
Most people are very friendly though and other motorists have generally been very considerate and unthreatening which is nice.
You always know your getting closer to a (small) town because on the horizon a tall, curved, white building that is used for wheat storage is often first thing to appear. I guess they are 5-8 storeys high.
I have struck gold in Tribune having found a place that calls itself a gastro pub. The name is optimistic but I still like the place. I feel fully refreshed and any hunger I had is gone. 2 meals and a desert has fixed that. Now time for a good sleep to be ready for tomorrow. Although if the wind forecast gets any worse I'm just not going to bother getting out if bed ;)
On the tornado front, I have seen a giant funnell that I would consider a big tornado. It didn't even muster a 2nd look from the locals though so I expect it was just a dust devil!!
It was less than half the mileage of yesterday (Only 56.6) but a really tough gruelling day. That was down to the wind again. For the first hour it was sideways on but then it turned and became a headwind. grrrrrrr
As per usual it really grated me. It is like an invisible mountain to climb except I prefer mountains. With mountains you can get in to a good rhythm or groove when climbing as you can see what's coming. There is also always a downhill to look forward to. The only benefit to wind is that your tears quickly run off and don't well up in yours eyes which would make it difficult to see.
Progress is also painfully slow. With this landscape, which is pretty unremarkable, you don't feel like your getting anywhere.
I did though, eventually rolling into Tribune after 6 hours and 10 minutes.
Riding through the Rockies, the small towns in the middle of nowhere seemed to still have thriving businesses and plenty of motels catering for the travelling custom. I get the feel (so far) that most people avoid stopping in the Plains because very few shops are surviving and you're lucky if there is 1 motel to stay at.
Many of the Agricultural buildings are tin type constructions that resemble aircraft hangers or giant silver/rusted drink cans.
Lots of old wooden buildings are rotted away and have missing windows, roofs, floors etc. It is a bit eerie at times.
Most people are very friendly though and other motorists have generally been very considerate and unthreatening which is nice.
You always know your getting closer to a (small) town because on the horizon a tall, curved, white building that is used for wheat storage is often first thing to appear. I guess they are 5-8 storeys high.
I have struck gold in Tribune having found a place that calls itself a gastro pub. The name is optimistic but I still like the place. I feel fully refreshed and any hunger I had is gone. 2 meals and a desert has fixed that. Now time for a good sleep to be ready for tomorrow. Although if the wind forecast gets any worse I'm just not going to bother getting out if bed ;)
On the tornado front, I have seen a giant funnell that I would consider a big tornado. It didn't even muster a 2nd look from the locals though so I expect it was just a dust devil!!
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