Data: 128 miles Riding time 8:03 (15.9 mph avg) None of the photos today are my own despite my new camera; I didn't take it with me due to our projected storms.
Note: The tour leader's account of today on his website is excellent, describing our dicey situation much better than I could since several riders behind me had scary adventures I never knew about. http://www.bamacyclist.com/Journal2007/Fast07/07fast.htm
What an adventurous day! We have to pay tribute to the tour staff for getting us here safely into Abilene. Three times they held us to let dangerous weather pass by. They sought new routes to avoid flooded areas, such as this one where we had been scheduled to ride today.
I arrived in Abilene very late (about 7 pm), but I'm grateful I got to ride all the way here since there were so many threats that we would need to be shuttled in the van. The only disappointment is that David Duboc from Lansing, MI, got nailed by a huge German Shepherd just two miles from finishing, and had to go to the hospital in an ambulance (he's the same one who fell several days ago and got stitches in his face, but he gamely has continued to ride). I witnessed this accident since we and my roommate Phil had ridden together for the previous 8 miles. I have never before seen a dog charge right into a bike like that at full speed. David fell hard onto the street, and didn't move. The owners, who were relaxing on their porch with the dog, called 911. We think Dave's okay, but no word at this time from the hospital.
Yes, the weather has been unbelievable. Our hearts go out to those Kansans who have suffered through these disasters. Our bike tour has been lucky that we have been able to get around it, again with the help from the staff. Twice today the rain was coming down so hard that I don't think I've ever seen it pour like that (except on a family vacation in 1967 somewhere around Billings, Montana when we couldn't see more than a few feet and Dad had to pull the car to the side of the road).
The first of the downpours came while I was under cover at the lunch break, and the second occurred only about 10 minutes after I arrived here at the motel. I rode through some significant rain just before the lunch, but I was dressed for it, so no problem. Along the way, we saw lots of flooded areas and the rivers were completely full and rushing.
Today, riders had lots of flats -- I'm not sure why. I'm almost feeling guilty for not yet having one, but only "almost".
We started late - 8 am - because the tour leader wanted to assess the weather situation. A large group of us rode fast to "beat" the bad weather following us. They held the lunch stop early (at 61 miles) due to increasingly heavy rain, and it turned out to be a good move. In this picture at the lunch, you can see I took off all my wet clothes while I ate.
We stayed there about an hour until a lightning storm passed over, and then they let us go again with a changed route to avoid flooded areas. They later held us at a convenience store at mile 75 for about 90 minutes. I took a nap, and I was told that about 10 people took my picture. Here's one:
Here's another shot of how crowded it was in that convenience store. All the windows got fogged up from so many sweaty people. At least the cashier lady was tolerant and pleasant with us.
When they let us go, it was a mass start and everyone charged out of there up the road to make up for lost time, but flat tires kept felling groups. We went through a tiny town called Gypsum, and the sign entering town noted that it was the home of Steve Fritz, 1976 Olympic decathlete who placed 4th (the year Bruce Jenner won in Montreal). A little farther, I saw a small gas station with Bill Fritz noted as the owner, presumably his father. Here are Phil and I riding near mile 100.
At mile 115, Phil and I finally came to a little city that we had been looking forward to, since we hadn't eaten much since lunch at 61 miles. Unfortunately, the only store had just closed 15 minutes earlier. Phil asked a young man if there were any other stores open, and he directed us a couple miles north (but we were going east). Phil said he couldn't make it, and offered him money if he could get him a Coke. The kid went into his house, and he and his mother and brother came out with candies (she worked for Russell Stover candy company), bananas, and carrots. What friendly people! Those treats really hit the spot, as we were "out of gas". Dave D. rode up to join us in this "feast". That helped us face the final 8 miles into a strong headwind into Abilene. Here we are with these wonderful angels:
Abilene has so many beautiful homes. If this hadn't been such a trying and late day, I would have ridden around to look at them, including President Eisenhower's home. I saw three stately homes that had tours. Abilene is also the Greyhound Dog capital; entering town we passed a huge greyhound kennel, then saw the Greyhound Association of America, and in town they have the Greyhound Hall of Fame.
It's 11 pm, so I need to hit the hay. Tomorrow is supposed to be headwinds for all 109 eastward miles in Topeka.
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