Freewheel Day 6: Perry to Tonkawa
I love western Oklahoma.
It is flatter than a table top. Today we set out from Perry and went south for a while, then west for several miles. Eventually we went north, then back to the east again to Tonkawa. On of the locals in Perry made the observation that it would be a lot faster if we just went north out of town. I guess they don't understand that fastest isn't always the best, and that the most fun is often found on the less-traveled road.
Today started out cool, with the distinct possibility of showers and thunderstorms in the forecast. The wind had shifted, and was fairly strong out of the northeast. It was cloudy most of the day, which is good, because if the sun had come out during the ride, it would have been an even tougher day than it was. And it was a tough day. When we turned back to the east, most people thought that the last 15 miles would be fairly easy. But they would be wrong. The wind was really demoralizing, and many of us ended up in big packs to break down the effort. I fell in with a group of guys, and went from 12 mph to 18 mph immediately. It made the last few miles a lot easier, and a lot more fun. To see my Garmin site, click here.
We are staying in Tonkawa today, the home of Northern Oklahoma College. We have stayed here before, and the towns people are really doing a great job making everyone feel welcome. After arriving and washing the western Oklahoma dust off our bodies, we were driving around looking for a place to eat. We happened to see the city manager in his car (we knew he was the city manager because his car said "city manager" on the side of it), and we asked him where to eat. He led us to a Mexican place called Ochoa's. It was outstanding.
This being the last night, FreeWheel is providing a meal for everyone, where they will give away prizes, and show some pictures from the week's ride. Tomorrow we will get up and ride a relatively short 41 miles across the state line into Kansas, where Caldwell will once again serve as the finish line town.
Here are some pictures from today's route.
One of the regional sales managers told me to submit a picture to Bank West Magazine. They publish pictures of people when they travel, and take their Bank of the West bears along. This picture was a set up. I didn't take the bear with me the whole time. Really.
This is Rick, and he loves FreeWheel. I first met him in 2001, and I don't think he has ever missed a year.
Flatter than a table top
If there is one time when you won't hear farmers praying for rain, it is now. Wheat harvest. And it is really wet out here. So pray for them, that they will get a little dry spell, in time to get their crops in.
It is flatter than a table top. Today we set out from Perry and went south for a while, then west for several miles. Eventually we went north, then back to the east again to Tonkawa. On of the locals in Perry made the observation that it would be a lot faster if we just went north out of town. I guess they don't understand that fastest isn't always the best, and that the most fun is often found on the less-traveled road.
Today started out cool, with the distinct possibility of showers and thunderstorms in the forecast. The wind had shifted, and was fairly strong out of the northeast. It was cloudy most of the day, which is good, because if the sun had come out during the ride, it would have been an even tougher day than it was. And it was a tough day. When we turned back to the east, most people thought that the last 15 miles would be fairly easy. But they would be wrong. The wind was really demoralizing, and many of us ended up in big packs to break down the effort. I fell in with a group of guys, and went from 12 mph to 18 mph immediately. It made the last few miles a lot easier, and a lot more fun. To see my Garmin site, click here.
We are staying in Tonkawa today, the home of Northern Oklahoma College. We have stayed here before, and the towns people are really doing a great job making everyone feel welcome. After arriving and washing the western Oklahoma dust off our bodies, we were driving around looking for a place to eat. We happened to see the city manager in his car (we knew he was the city manager because his car said "city manager" on the side of it), and we asked him where to eat. He led us to a Mexican place called Ochoa's. It was outstanding.
This being the last night, FreeWheel is providing a meal for everyone, where they will give away prizes, and show some pictures from the week's ride. Tomorrow we will get up and ride a relatively short 41 miles across the state line into Kansas, where Caldwell will once again serve as the finish line town.
Here are some pictures from today's route.
One of the regional sales managers told me to submit a picture to Bank West Magazine. They publish pictures of people when they travel, and take their Bank of the West bears along. This picture was a set up. I didn't take the bear with me the whole time. Really.
This is Rick, and he loves FreeWheel. I first met him in 2001, and I don't think he has ever missed a year.
Flatter than a table top
If there is one time when you won't hear farmers praying for rain, it is now. Wheat harvest. And it is really wet out here. So pray for them, that they will get a little dry spell, in time to get their crops in.
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