I'm in Kansas City Missouri, accompanying Amy at a Silpada jewelry conference. On Wednesday, I headed south to a town named Peculiar (weird, huh?) and did a 45 mile loop. What a wonderful place to ride.
The drivers are extremely curteous -- they wait patiently behind riders for an opening to pass, sometimes for several minutes or more. Clearly, they've been trained not to overtake unless they have a good view of the road, no overtaking on hills or before turns. And when they do pass, they move over to the opposing lane and wave cheerfully (and with all five fingers!).
It was hot on Wednesday, in the 90s. I stopped into a small town called Freeman, had a sandwich and reapplied suntan lotion. Then I went looking for some water to replenish my supply. Freeman is a *small* town and didn't even have a sandwich shop or bar...I *did* find the Freeman Municipal Water Department and stopped in. Hey, they're in the water business, right?
Anyway, a kind lady refilled my water bottles with water and ice. I do have to say that their water was particularly good, probably local well water.
I continued on my ride and eventually took a five mile detour to Louisville, Kansas, mostly to say that I rode all the way from MO to KS!
The sights and sounds on this ride were simply awesome. The rural country roads were largely deserted, virtually no traffic at all, save the occasional farm tractor.
Thursday I headed north and started a 50 mile loop in a town called Liberty. A bit more climbing on this ride, mostly lots of "rollers" -- short steep hills that don't actually build to any real elevation.
I stopped in at the Smithville Lake Project, an Army Corp of Engineers manufactured lake (and a big one!). Their air conditioning and cold water were appreciated.
On this ride, the drivers were equally scarce and courteous...I still can't get over how well mannered they are. This is somewhat less true closer to Kansas City, but far better than most drivers in the northeast.
This was a hot day...so hot that I skipped a 5 mile extension to Paradise and headed back in mid 90 degree heat. It was as hot a ride as I've ever remembered and I suffered through it.
At one point I stopped at an intersection, leaned my bike up against the stop sign and took my helmet off. Not long afterwards, a guy on a Harley pulls up, nods, and then asks "Are you okay?" Now this is a common question cyclists ask one another on the road when one is stopped, but I've *never* seen a motorcyclist ask a cyclist this question. Perhaps he saw that I was overheated, but more likely, it's just this midwestern courtesy!
I'll get another ride or two in before we head back to Massachusetts on Sunday. With any luck, the weather will be a bit cooler...
Then I begin my taper for the ride next week. The bike is ready and the legs are ready. All I need now is to raise another $6,000 and I'll have reached my fundraising goal.
To contribute, please visit the PMC website:
https://www.pmc.org/egifts/MakeADonation.asp?eGiftID=LL0033
And please forward this link to friends and coworkers. With your help I can make my $10,000 fundraising goal!
Lee
1 comment:
Good post.
Post a Comment