Day 21-Wheeeeeeeeeeeee

Dodge City to Great Bend, Ks.
Miles: 86.6
Time: 4:26
Average: 19.5 mph
Max: 32.5 mph
Total Ascent: 916 ft
Est Calories: NA

If yesterday's ride was NICE, today was as close to perfect as we could have imagined. Virtually flat as a pool table as evidenced by the Ascent and the Average noted above. The Max actually may be my fastest todate, and it was on the flats. We had a tail wind from heaven. After 60 miles we were averaging 20.2 mph and probably only finished below 20 mph for the day because we were looking for an eatery in Larned, Ks before we settled on Subway, and there was a bit of head wind for about 3-4 miles at the end of the ride. Some people get in around noon and actually went to the movies. The est calories is noted NA because the methodology used by the Garmin really does not compensate for unique effort days like today. I did not use over 7000 calories today as was indicated on the Garmin, thus the NA indication.

The picture above, in the background was a sign that indicated that this was the midpoint between San Fancisco and NY. It is not the midpoint for us, as that is still a couple of days away for us because of our route.

At the end of the day we went to Walmart on our bikes and in our biking clothes. Walmart was about 1/2 mile from the hotel. We had a need for some supplies (gatorade for the morning, sunscreen, etc), Coming out of Walmart we stopped at Arby's for a soda (so I had a sandwich as well. After all, it was 5 hours until dinner.) As I was about to enter the place, I held the door for an elderly gentleman, and we began a conversation about where we were headed, and from where, etc. As we were about to finish our snacks, the man came over and asked if he could give us a gift. It turns out that this 84 y/o man has been a bee keeper and would like to give us some honey. He then went out to his car and returned with a 24 oz plastic bottle of pure honey, shaped like a little bear with a little yellow cap (for pouring). So, if you find yourself in Great Bend, you can find the kind Mr. Watson Nichols at the Nichols Apiaries, PO Box 396-520 Odell, Great Bend, Kansas, 67530, PH: 620-793-5267. We will be sharing this with our fellow riders, and the Cross Roads staff will find some creative use for this fine sugary treat on something, to be determined, at one or more of the SAG's over the next few days.

As we left Arby's we went over to thank him again before we left. He assured us that this gave him more pleasure that it would give us, and offered a "God be with you" and "be safe". Just another great expression of kindness we have experienced along the way. This expression of kindness is just what the doctor ordered, and what, as I have said before, is what I was hoping to experience on this ride. God bless the Mr. Nichols of this world. See ya...............