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!

One full week in the saddle!

Despite yesterday’s shorter day with reduced wind, we are both exhausted today. We overslept, and Jordan spent another night on the bathroom floor. The quad and calf muscles are the only areas that feel tolerable. We both experience hand swelling and weakness, making it difficult to fasten a coat.

Describing the bike’s comfort level is challenging. There is no comfortable seating position. To exacerbate the situation, the final 15 miles were exceptionally rough, comparable to a century-old brick street. The hands and buttocks may have found more comfort in a grinder.

At noon, the temperature was 76 degrees, and with a 13 mph southeast wind, we continued riding east for another 15 miles before turning north. If the wind persists, we will experience a welcome change: we will not encounter a headwind. This has not been the case for the past five days.

Just past Ames, Nebraska, the shoulder completely disappeared. Jordan narrowly avoided a collision with a semi-truck, which was highly disrespectful. We became irritable and engaged in a heated argument. We seriously considered quitting. Ultimately, we decided to continue on a gravel road to bypass the highway. However, the gravel was extremely loose, and we struggled. Despite the danger, we returned to the Lincoln Highway. We walked against traffic for approximately a mile, eagerly anticipating the return of a shoulder.

We arrived in Fremont, Nebraska, at 4:00 p.m. and sought a suitable place to eat. We discovered a diner named Mel’s Diner. Naturally, I recognized the name’s symbolic significance, but Jordan required clarification. The sitcom Alice was centered around Mel’s Diner! We refueled, aware that we had approximately 15 miles to a municipal campground. We arrived at the campground just after 6:00 PM.

We camped in Winslow, Nebraska, approximately 70 miles south of South Sioux City, where we made a reservation at a Knights Inn. Our itinerary for tomorrow features significant elevation changes, requiring a strenuous effort to cover the 70-mile distance.

After covering 58 miles today, we have accumulated a total of 586.6 miles and have approximately 375 miles remaining. The road conditions encountered were particularly challenging, with trucks posing a significant threat to our progress. Consequently, we made a 3-mile detour onto loose gravel and walked an additional 3 miles for safety reasons.

Following today’s events, we conducted thorough research and determined that it was imperative to alter our route to prioritize safety. Despite these modifications, certain uncertainties persist.

Regrettably, I am experiencing fatigue and am unable to provide further elaboration.

Summary of Day 7:

During Day 7, we completed a total of 58 miles at an average speed of 11.2 miles per hour (excluding breaks). The total riding time was approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes. The day’s total riding time was slightly under 8 hours, with a temperature range of 64°F at the beginning to nearly 86°F at the peak.

According to Garmin Connect, the total ascent was 316 feet, while the descent was 436 feet. Consequently, the net elevation change was a decrease of 321 feet, resulting in a final elevation of 1,174 feet after starting at 1,495 feet.

Our 10-mile splits, as recorded on MapMyRide (with time including breaks and mph based solely on riding time), were as follows:

0-10 in 0:44:30 - 13.6 mph

10-20 in 1:03:36 - 12.4 mph

20-30 in 1:38:47 - 11.5 mph

30-40 in 1:36:36 - 8.0 mph

40-50 in 2:22:17 - 9.7 mph

Last 8 in 32:55 - 15.1 mph

All you quiet dreamers, carry on! 

Day 6 finished

We slept in today. Jordan had trouble sleeping with my snoring. I woke at 5:45 AM and sat in the breakfast room. I returned at 7:30 AM and quietly packed while he slept. I woke him at 8:30 AM as the breakfast closed at 9:00 AM. He looked exhausted.

We started later at 10:41 AM, which delayed another flat tire—my front tire. Changing a tube was challenging due to limited hand strength, and pumping the tires was also tricky. We left Grand Island, Nebraska, with a headwind of 10 to 12 mph. It felt okay because the past two days were over 20 mph. Drafting was tiring, and I almost ran into Jordan if I wasn’t paying attention. I tried to avoid tension. I hope for a tailwind so we can ride side by side.

Local store = a simple life is evident

We got a hotel room last night, even though we planned to camp. Our bodies were exhausted, and we needed another round of ice baths. A storm woke us a few times, and we were inside. The winds were over 40 mph, and rain pelted the windows. 

Day 6 was supposed to be an easy 64-mile ride, but the wind was still a headwind, albeit less severe than it had been over the last three days. I drafted behind Jordan, who kept asking, “What wind?”

We stopped at a small local station for a break and to grab some drinks. It was the farmer’s morning hangout, as they had cups hanging on the wall. The worker turned the cups to the right place for the next day. The midday heat was brutal, and I never acclimated to the heat over 70 degrees. The sun was intense all day, and I bet I’m overloaded with Vitamin D.

We had a minor issue on the 67.1 miles in 6 hours 32 minutes, with 4 hours and 48 minutes on the bike, which was the highest pace so far at an average of 14 mph. Late into the ride, I felt dizzy from the heat and told Jordan I was coming from the left, but I was actually on the right. My stupidity almost caused a two-bike crash at 17 mph. Fatigue decreases our communication skills.

We needed another solid night to recover, so we stopped as planned at a Sleep Inn just outside Columbus, Nebraska. We washed all our clothes, ate at Applebee’s, and were in bed before 10 PM. We plan to ride 71 miles tomorrow and 60 miles the following day, which should put us in Iowa. The following two days have a favorable forecast with moderate winds, but some nasty hills are expected. 

Summary of Day 6:

The total distance covered was 67.1 miles at an average speed of 14 miles per hour (excluding riding time). The total on-bike time was 4 hours and 48 minutes. The day lasted 6 hours and 32 minutes, with a temperature range of 66°F to nearly 86°F.

According to Garmin Connect, the total ascent was 60 feet, while the descent was 432 feet. Consequently, the net decrease in elevation was 351 feet, resulting in a change from 1,846 feet to 1,495 feet overall.

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

0-10 in 0:41:57 - 14.6 mph

10-20 in 0:39:18 - 15.2 mph

20-30 in 1:08:11 - 12.8 mph

30-40 in 1:17:25 - 14.0 mph

40-50 in 0:50:01 - 14.1 mph

50-60 in 1:23:12 - 13.3 mph

Last 7.1 in 0:31:22 - 13.8 mph

All you quiet dreamers, carry on!

5th day complete

At 1:30 PM on Wednesday, May 21, we have traveled over 400 miles. We made a stop in Kearney to dine at Q’Doba. Although we had planned to depart early this morning, I (Londell) awoke at 5:30 AM, and the wind was gusting at 20 mph. I was exhausted and experiencing significant soreness from the wind on Tuesday, and I desired to allow Jordan to rest as he had exerted considerable effort.

Approximately 8:00 AM, I awakened Jordan, and the wind had increased to approximately 25 mph. In the absence of a return to Colorado, we were facing a strong northeast wind. Jordan proposed that we travel to Kansas City in three days, given the prevailing wind conditions.

Fortunately, the wind is anticipated to diminish to 17 mph later today and 15 mph on Thursday. I had never anticipated looking forward to riding in a 10-15 mph headwind, but after this morning’s experience, it appears to be an acceptable alternative. 

The arduous nature of the ride is exacerbated by the persistent headwind. Regrettably, I have developed a painful blister on my right hand. Despite the challenges, I am thoroughly enjoying my time with Jordan.

This day has proven to be particularly difficult. The wind was exceptionally strong, making it nearly impossible to maintain a steady pace. Our Garmin indicated a speed of approximately 11 mph, but a passing truck abruptly reduced our speed to around 9.5 mph. On several occasions, we were momentarily at risk of being thrown off the bike and into the ditch.

The initial 20 miles from Lexington, Nebraska, proved to be a source of stress for Jordan and me. While the respite at Kearney, Nebraska, provided some relief, the 90-degree heat and the wind took their toll approximately 15 miles out of Kearney. Jordan now carried an additional 20 pounds of bike weight for the second day, and I believe he was experiencing discomfort.

We harbor deep affection and care for one another. However, we descended to a level of bickering reminiscent of Frank and Marie Barone, Archie and Edith Bunker, Al and Peg Bundy, or any other well-known couples. While it was always apparent that they loved each other, their constant bickering was a defining characteristic. Today, we both reached our breaking point and exchanged some rather harsh words. We have become that old couple who elicits laughter and amusement from others as they engage in their incessant bickering. 

We’d had enough of the divine wrath for a while! We’d just wrapped up about 55 miles and were still heading towards Grand Island, NE, with another 25 miles to go. We’d already had five flat tires, and to top it off, we didn’t pack the right pump. Plus, we were stuck with a third day of over 80 degrees with the sun blazing down. We might need a third tube of sunscreen before we even finish the ride!

Anyway, I ended up yelling at Jordan to “go the *&@# home,” and I took off. He did start back, but after about 25 minutes and a lot of wasted energy, we regrouped. It could have been a better scene. We’ve both been totally destroyed by the hard past few days! Also, Jordan hasn’t been sleeping well. He’s a real light sleeper, and my snoring keeps him awake. In fact, I learned last night that he slept on the bathroom floor to avoid my snoring.

We worked together and pushed on. Several times, we stopped and fell over the handlebars. It looked like we were dry-heaving from the sheer exhaustion of fighting the wind and the truck traffic, which was at least one every minute. 

Despite the arduous journey, we completed our 10.4-hour total, with 7 hours and 3 minutes dedicated to cycling, and arrived at Grand Island at 7:45 PM.

In contrast to our initial plan of camping, we opted for a more comfortable accommodation at the Travel Lodge. We replenished our supplies by purchasing ice, stocking up at the grocery store, and ordering pizza and wings. Additionally, we implemented a rotation of ice baths to alleviate the physical strain on our bodies.

Although my body has been significantly fatigued, and I feel more exhausted than when I completed the Superior 50-mile trail race in 2007, I am only halfway through this challenging endeavor.

SUMMARY FOR THE FIRST 5 DAYS

• Saturday - 111.1 miles (15 added miles due to bike issues) - 8 hours and 44 minutes biking at a 12.8 mph pace and over 13 hours for the trip!
• Sunday - 90.6 miles - 7 hours 10 minutes biking at a 12.7 mph pace and just under 12 hours for the day
• Monday - 93.3 miles - 7 hours 10 minutes biking at a 2.9 mph pace and just over 10 hours for the trip
• Tuesday - 87.6 miles - 7 hours 22 minutes biking at an 11.0 mph pace and 12 hours 21 minutes for the trip.
• Wednesday - 78.9 miles - 7 hours 3 minutes biking at an 11.2 mph pace and 10 hours 20 minutes on the trip

TOTAL miles in the first 5 days: 461.5 miles, 37 hours, 41 minutes total time biking, and 47:40 out on the road, and a 12.25 mph average pace.

This average daily mileage is 92.3 miles, with the majority of it being affected by strong headwinds. It is truly remarkable how we have managed to maintain this pace. To provide a comparative perspective, we were cycling for as long as most individuals work in five days. It is important to note that in an eight-hour workday, most people receive two paid 15-minute breaks, resulting in a typical workweek of 37 hours and 30 minutes. Therefore, the first five days are equivalent to cycling every working minute in a standard workweek.

For tomorrow, we have decided that the maximum distance we will travel in a single day will be 64.6 miles in Columbus, Nebraska. However, the weather forecast predicts a 30% chance of rain, but only a 15 mph headwind. This situation raises the same question that I posed at the beginning: if Nebraska is considered God’s country, then it appears that we are not welcome there.

Summary of Day 5:

The total distance covered was 78.9 miles, with an average speed of 11.2 miles per hour (excluding breaks). The total riding time was 7 hours and 3 minutes. The day’s total time was slightly over 10 hours, with a temperature range of 59°F at the beginning to nearly 88°F at the peak.

According to Garmin Connect, the total ascent was 287 feet, while the descent was 794 feet. The elevation change was a net decrease of 1,033 feet, from 2,879 feet to 1,846 feet.

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

0-10 in 1:01:14 - 10.3 mph

10-20 in 1:07:21 - 12.4 mph

20-30 in 1:08:25 - 11.5 mph

30-40 in 2:04:18 - 10.7 mph

40-50 in 1:50:31 - 10.4 mph

50-60 in 0:57:13 - 11.8 mph

60-70 in 1:12:40 - 11.1 mph

Last 8.9 in 0:57:28 - 11.8 mph

All you quiet dreamers, carry on!

Comments from my original blog - I merged the blogs.

cnelaneMay 22, 2014 at 7:24 AM. I think you need a snickers bar, you're just not yourself when you're hungry!