72.4 mi, 389ft gain, 48-78F/headwind
At mile 50 we reached our 5th state, Oklahoma! Today’s route was literally a straight shot through Texas to Okalohma. It was even downhill!! BUT here’s the catch, with 15-20mph headwinds for 67 miles of it. Around mile 67 the winds got a little lighter, then we dealt with construction roads for the last 3. Sooo.. over all impression, these areas are flat, fairly dry, sunny, and dusty! Lots of cows and grain fields.
The side shoulder was the same as yesterday. It’s great until the passing lane comes and it inches out the biking area to the right of the rumble strip. You have to make a choice to ride the line with the semi’s or be ever so catious with your little slice of pavement. Those rumble strips mean business! The majority of these sections don’t have the 40 foot break section to cross over as a cyclist. You’re left to hang tight yet flex as you rumble yourself through it. I take them as if they’re railroad tracks, directionally through them with purpose.
Todays 74 miles felt almost short even with a headwind, after 110 & 95 mile days. We had one SAG stop and I took the opportunity to eat 2 sweet treats. While downhill? We were burning calories like mad against the wind. A large portion of the group stopped and grabbed food at a gas station store about 20 out from the end.
Other than those small happenings, there’s not much to report on or see here. There lies the beauty in it honestly. Tomorrow is a short day of 45 miles into Kansas. Beacause of this we get to start an hour later! Everyone had a great dinner of pizza, burgers, and large salads.. so we are more than fueled for the ride!
Total mileage to-date:
1,272.7 miles
Total elevation gain to-date:
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