Minor issues and Day 8 complete!

Last night, we arrived at the campground in Windham, Nebraska, and discovered it to be unoccupied. This was unusual for a holiday weekend. We set up our tents and prepared for sleep. However, we quickly discerned the reason for the campground’s emptiness. It was situated directly adjacent to a railroad track, with trains passing at least every hour. 

The park was positioned near an intersection, a train whistle roared four or five times each time it traversed. The rumbling was so intense that we could perceive vibrations throughout the night. Jordan speculated that my snoring caused the ground to tremble, but it was the train’s presence. We awoke at approximately 6:00 a.m., and the insect population was exceptionally abundant. We promptly packed our belongings and departed the campground before 7:00 AM.

The planned ride today was approximately 60 miles long, featuring significant elevation changes. Naturally, the ascent followed a descent. We achieved a satisfactory pace due to our ability to ascend the hills at a relatively brisk pace (frequently on foot), while descending, we consistently maintained speeds of 25-30 miles per hour. Furthermore, we encountered a favorable side wind rather than a headwind. Consequently, we managed an average speed of 13.5 miles per hour.

We could have exerted greater effort, given the knowledge that this was a shorter day. We took several breaks to observe the sights (although there were limited opportunities). Notably, we made a stop at a fuel station located on the Indian reservation, where the sale of alcoholic beverages surpassed that of gasoline or water. Many individuals who stopped at the station regarded us with a sense of unease.

We arrived in South Sioux City, Nebraska, at approximately 1:00 PM. Upon checking into the Knights Inn, we were informed by the receptionist that our reservation was for last night and that we had already been charged. The receptionist requested the room immediately. This was disappointing, particularly since I had inquired about the reservation for Saturday evening on multiple occasions. The receptionist’s English proficiency was questionable, raising concerns about potential errors. Fortunately, the inn was in a state of disrepair. We subsequently traveled approximately four additional miles, which brought us into the state of Iowa.

Guess what? We stumbled upon a Holiday Inn that’s way better located! It’s been great to keep moving and hit another 20 or so miles today. But, here’s the thing: there’s only one place to stay within 60 miles of Sioux City. We really needed a break, though!

Jordan’s doing great, just a little trouble with the butt and hands. I’m super tired and really need a chill day. Is this enough to get me through the rest of the ride? I’ve been wanting to call for a ride several times over the last few days. This is the most challenging challenge I’ve ever faced. I have right hip pain and can’t feel my little fingers. My hands are so tired that it’s a pain to shift the bike.

Despite our hunger, we opted to dine at Chili’s and subsequently embarked on a stroll through downtown. The area was eerily deserted, with no establishments open, a sparse number of vehicles, and even fewer pedestrians. This marks the eighth consecutive day of cycling, during which we have completed 651.2 miles of the meticulously planned 910 miles. This translates to an average daily mileage of 81.4 miles.

Our itinerary for this trip was initially set to last approximately 10 days (94 miles per day) under optimal conditions. However, in the event of adverse weather, the trip could extend to 16 days (58 miles per day). Our current progress indicates that we are ahead of schedule by one full day, having completed approximately 71 miles per day. The plan is to ride over 60 miles tomorrow, followed by three 70-mile days to end the ride. Wow, it would be nice to finish in 12 days. 

Summary of Day 8:

During the eighth day of our cycling expedition, we covered a total distance of 64.6 miles at an average speed of 13.1 miles per hour (excluding breaks). The total time spent riding was 4 hours and 54 minutes.

The day’s duration was approximately 6 hours and 38 minutes, with a temperature range of 53°F to nearly 82°F. According to Garmin Connect, the total ascent was 1,301 feet, while the descent was 1,385 feet. IT WAS HILLY!

Consequently, the overall net elevation change was a decrease of 329 feet, resulting in a transition from an elevation of 1,174 feet to 845 feet.

Our 10-mile splits from MapMyRide (time includes breaks, and mph is only riding time) were:

0-10 in 0:50:24 - 13.3 mph

10-20 in 0:52:23 - 11.8 mph

20-30 in 1:03:25 - 12.7 mph

30-40 in 1:11:55 - 12.7 mph

40-50 in 0:45:04 - 16.4 mph

50-60 in 0:49:55 - 15.0 mph

Last 4.6 in 1:05:10 - 9.3 mph

All you quiet dreamers, carry on!