Back to the routine of breakfast at the hotel which is always an adventure with so many people trying to eat at once. The hotels just don't plan on 25 people all trying to fight for the very limited choices at the same time.
Once we leave the hotel there are no services for 30 miles. The first 22 miles are on State Rd 15E then we turn L to take 15N. There are crosswinds this morning but only at 6mph which is not too bad. When we turn to go N the winds seem to pick up and the temperature is rising. Turning N puts on the Eisenhower Memorial highway but more important to us is that we obviously cross a county line as suddenly the road changes to a chip seal surface, which is always hard to ride on as it slows you down. That and the headwind are not going to be pleasant. As we are getting close to the only SAG of the day a manure truck pulls out in front of us!! He is going the same direction we are and fast enough uphill that he passes the only other group of cyclists in our group. With the heat and humidity we already have grit and bugs stuck to us but I can't imagine what we have on us as it appears the manure truck is leaking something. Thankfully after 3 miles he pulls off to the field where they are spreading it. Once at the SAG everyone is using Purcell everywhere before touching anything. Carol has sliced apples in a little cup with caramel in the bottom.
Leaving the SAG there are no services to Abilene. Lots of corn and winter wheat in the fields. They are harvesting the wheat, about 3 weeks early, as the weather has been so hot.
Arriving in Abilene we go past former President of the US, Dwight D. Eisenhower's home, library and museum. Hopefully we can get there on the rest day. There is also the Greyhound dog Hall of Fame.
The heat and humidity have really affected everyone as they just want to get to the hotel. There is a Dairy Queen in front of the hotel so most stop for a recovery milkshake. As we came through town at noon the temperature was already 90F.
No comments:
Post a Comment