Day 22-Cause Celeb in McPherson, Kansas

Great Bend to McPerson, Ks.

Miles: 64.4

Time: 4:14

Average: 15.2 mph

Max: 24.0 mph

Total Ascent: 820 ft

Est Calories: 4,329

Thanks to Tom Dunn for the action shot, above, of Bob Fuller and I. For those unfamiliar with us, I'm the chunkie one on the right. Tom will be leaving the ride after tomorrow, and he will be missed. Regards, Tom D.

Today was another short day with a fair bit of cross winds, but based on conversations at dinner, many riders napped as soon as they got in to the hotel. While this was a relatively short day, it was however the eighth straight right of riding, and tomorrow will make 9 straight days of riding before our 3rd rest day. Other than the cumulative effects, this was a nice sunday ride. Not much traffic, some favorable winds, and no elavations to speak of. On the other hand, nothing was open in McPherson, Ks. We went up and down the town looking for something open for a sandwich, to no avail. As it was, we came upon a few other of our bikers a mile up the road, and we all doved into SONIC for food. Another first for me. I've never eaten at a SONIC and had to take lessons from the other riders as to how to order (all outside, and then they deliver your food to your outside table).

When we arrived at the SONIC there was a family group of about 4 adults and 2 children, sitting there. I didn't pay much attention, as I was focused on food. The 2 couples on the other hand thought that we were some riding friends of one of the husband's and started to cheer for us. That interaction only lead to a constant exchange between our 2 groups. They were there when we got there and were there as we left. They suggested that there really wasn't much to do in McPerson on a Sunday but to hang out at the SONIC.

Before we left for the hotel some 3 miles down the road, they took our picture, our names, and some info on our ride to submit to the "McPherson Sentinel", the local newspaper. I undestood that the guy with the camera was a part time contributor to the paper. We checked the internet when we got to the hotel, and found that the Sentinel has a website. It will be interesting to see if we make the local paper, which we will be checking over the next few evenings. Here we are, the Cause Celeb in McPherson, Kansas. What a goof! See ya.................