Upon our arrival in Sutherland, Nebraska, we encountered strong winds. I awoke at 6:00 AM and, as we had separate rooms, I prepared my belongings. While showering was enjoyable, washing clothes proved impractical due to the inclement weather. Consequently, our clothes have become unpleasant.
By 8:00 AM, we were fully prepared and set off on our journey. The distance to North Platte was approximately 20 miles.
Jordan’s assistance proved invaluable in overcoming our over 20 mph headwind. We successfully reached North Platte at 9:30 AM.
Upon arrival, we discovered a bike store named Alive Outside. It was a small, owner-operated establishment that demonstrated exceptional customer service. We purchased a rack, panniers, and tubes from the store. As previously mentioned, Jordan’s bike must be configured to tow the trailer, necessitating my role in pulling the gear. This adjustment has significantly improved our performance, as the additional weight has been eliminated.
By 10:30 AM, we departed from the store and made a stop at a grocery store to replenish our supplies before continuing our journey.
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The persistent wind was causing significant discomfort for both of us. For the first time during the ride, we found ourselves becoming irritable towards each other, and the heightened difficulty was contributing to stress. We completed the 29-mile stretch to Gothenburg at 2:00 PM, where we once again found ourselves at Subway. Subway is the sole dining option available in Cornhusker territory.
Having covered 59 miles, we had 28 miles remaining to reach the campsite in Lexington. Unfortunately, we have exceeded our planned evening stops, as we are now over 40 miles ahead of schedule. We are adjusting our stops to avoid the impending thunderstorms, but they are likely to catch up with us on Thursday. The forecast predicts rain for the next three to four days. We are adequately prepared and will plan rides with hotel stops if necessary. This will enable us to dry off and obtain a restful night’s sleep. One certainty is that we are both exhausted.
We arrived in Cozad, Nebraska, at approximately 5:30 PM, feeling both fatigued and hungry. We discovered Cozad City Park and took a moment to rest. We needed it, as we had another 19 miles to travel and strong winds. Fortunately, the initial 13 miles were extremely challenging (Weather.com reported winds at 25 MPH with gusts of 30 MPH), but we turned south for the remaining six miles and experienced a favorable tailwind. We were able to average 20 MPH with this tailwind. It was a welcome relief, as for the first time in the ride, we encountered a dog that chased us. There was no way we could have outrun the dog into the wind, which made both of us frightened.
We arrived in Lexington just before 8:00 PM. We intended to camp overnight at the City campground. However, the experience was unsettling. We visited the local store and encountered a man exiting the station. He inquired about our purpose, and we asked about the safety of camping there. He appeared somewhat concerned, and we shared his apprehension. I explained that Jordan had recently completed his Master’s degree and that we were traveling to spend time together before he entered the workforce. We did not wish to spend most of his vacation with an overweight and annoying father.
The man retrieved a $100 bill from his truck and offered it to us, expressing his well-wishes for our graduation. I attempted to dissuade him, but he insisted that there was a reason for our meeting and departure. We proceeded to the Minuteman Hotel, dined at Dairy Queen, and watched the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers playoff game. The game was exceptionally entertaining. The hotel also provided laundry facilities, which we made use of.
Jordan provided draft opportunities for approximately 60 miles when feasible. While drafting was occasionally hindered by strong winds, he maintained an average speed of roughly 12 mph. The temperature reached over 90 degrees, reminiscent of typical July heat in Minnesota. To date, Nebraska has not been my preferred state for cycling. As an additional observation, after experiencing five flat tires in four days, the roads pose a significant challenge to tires.
At 377 miles, we are considering the weather forecast. Tomorrow may be our last rain-free day for several days. With the motel stay, we plan to cover 90 miles tomorrow. If we can withstand the wind, we may attempt 110 miles, similar to our first day.
Summary of Day 4:
- Total distance: 87.6 miles
- Average speed: 11.9 MPH (riding time only)
- Total riding time: 7 hours and 22 minutes
- Total daytime: 12 hours and 21 minutes
- Temperature range: 54°F (low) to almost 92°F (high)
- Total ascent (Garmin Connect): 247 feet
- Total descent (Garmin Connect): 772 feet
- Net elevation drop: 466 feet (from 3,345 feet to 2,879 feet)
Our 10-mile splits from MapMyRide (time includes breaks, and mph is based only on riding time) were:
0-10 in 0:44:01 - 13.6 mph
10-20 in 0:47:53 - 13.3 mph
20-30 in 3:17:48 - 10.4 mph
30-40 in 1:03:14 - 12.9 mph
40-50 in 0:55:57 - 12.0 mph
50-60 in 2:23:18 - 10.9 mph
60-70 in 1:10:54 - 11.6 mph
70-80 in 0:52:28 - 12.0 mph
Last 7.5 in 1:05:01 - 10.7 mph
All you quiet dreamers, carry on!
Comments from my original blog - I merged the blogs.
