Freewheel Day 7: Tonkawa to Caldwell, Kansas
Kansas Rocks.
The bikes are put up, the camper is unloaded, and I have gotten in my last nap. FreeWheel 2008 is over. It is good to be home.
The ride today was about as perfect as a ride can get. The day started out a little questionable, with a thick fog enveloping the area. But people were saddling up and leaving the college, so we decided to get it together and ride out the last day of the week.
But first, a word about Tonkawa. What a great town! They really took great care of us, and in spite of the fact that it is extremely small, with very few things to do, they were a great host town. Being the last night of the ride, Tonkawa had a big party, with a band and prizes and a huge dinner. Tonkawa's big claim to fame is Northern Oklahoma College, founded in 1901. They are a growing school, and their campus is a lot nicer than when I spent some time there in high school two decades ago.
But back to today's ride. Once we made our way out of the fog, all we could see was blue sky, and acres of wheat and corn. The scenery was spectacular. And there was no wind at all. Spencer and I rode together the entire 42 miles, and we drafted to keep the pace up. We ended up averaging 17.5 mph and got into Caldwell in really good time. You can check out the Garmin site for all the stats by clicking here.
Kansas is a great place to ride. Although we hit a couple of 3% inclines, most of the day was extremely level. When you get a good pace going, you don't think you're ever going to stop. If my butt didn't hurt from already riding 400 miles this week, I think it would have been even better.
Here are some pictures from last night and today. I hope you enjoy them.
On the campus of Northern Oklahoma College, we were treated to music from a band called "Western Swing Band." I wondered if they were a rock band, would they be called "Rock Band." They were good!
Hubie found a pretty girl to dance with.
There was a guy on the ride this year who was a little...creepy. He never talked to anyone, and when I passed him on the road, I noticed he had a home made bike rack, and a rather curious camel back. Actually, it was an IV bag. And can you see his odometer setup? It is from a car.
A closeup of his odometer
You gotta love Kansas highways.
Seven days ago we were at the Texas state line, and today, here we are crossing into Kansas
Spencer and me, crossing the finish line in Caldwell, Kansas
400 miles later, we're packed an almost ready to head home.
Tomorrow I will do a wrap up of the week, including some never-before-seen pictures from the week. Oh, and I will not be riding my bike tomorrow :>
The bikes are put up, the camper is unloaded, and I have gotten in my last nap. FreeWheel 2008 is over. It is good to be home.
The ride today was about as perfect as a ride can get. The day started out a little questionable, with a thick fog enveloping the area. But people were saddling up and leaving the college, so we decided to get it together and ride out the last day of the week.
But first, a word about Tonkawa. What a great town! They really took great care of us, and in spite of the fact that it is extremely small, with very few things to do, they were a great host town. Being the last night of the ride, Tonkawa had a big party, with a band and prizes and a huge dinner. Tonkawa's big claim to fame is Northern Oklahoma College, founded in 1901. They are a growing school, and their campus is a lot nicer than when I spent some time there in high school two decades ago.
But back to today's ride. Once we made our way out of the fog, all we could see was blue sky, and acres of wheat and corn. The scenery was spectacular. And there was no wind at all. Spencer and I rode together the entire 42 miles, and we drafted to keep the pace up. We ended up averaging 17.5 mph and got into Caldwell in really good time. You can check out the Garmin site for all the stats by clicking here.
Kansas is a great place to ride. Although we hit a couple of 3% inclines, most of the day was extremely level. When you get a good pace going, you don't think you're ever going to stop. If my butt didn't hurt from already riding 400 miles this week, I think it would have been even better.
Here are some pictures from last night and today. I hope you enjoy them.
On the campus of Northern Oklahoma College, we were treated to music from a band called "Western Swing Band." I wondered if they were a rock band, would they be called "Rock Band." They were good!
Hubie found a pretty girl to dance with.
There was a guy on the ride this year who was a little...creepy. He never talked to anyone, and when I passed him on the road, I noticed he had a home made bike rack, and a rather curious camel back. Actually, it was an IV bag. And can you see his odometer setup? It is from a car.
A closeup of his odometer
You gotta love Kansas highways.
Seven days ago we were at the Texas state line, and today, here we are crossing into Kansas
Spencer and me, crossing the finish line in Caldwell, Kansas
400 miles later, we're packed an almost ready to head home.
Tomorrow I will do a wrap up of the week, including some never-before-seen pictures from the week. Oh, and I will not be riding my bike tomorrow :>
Nice write up Jason. Hope you don't mind I "stole" one of your pictures.
It had my husband in it.
Ride on
Moni
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Thanks for stopping by, Moni. You are more than welcome to "steal" any of the pictures you find here. I'm glad you found one of your husband.
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Jason, I think Spencer drafted be hide me the last few miles into Tonkawa. Would you ask him if he drafted behide a white Rans, short wheel base, recumbent the last few miles.
Thanks, Dave
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Hi Dave,
I talked to Spencer yesterday, and he said that he did draft behind a recumbent for a while on that day into Tonkawa. Mystery solved.
Have a great day!
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