90 miles (145 km) – Total so far: 2,062 miles (3,318 km)
Today’s weather was great after last night’s thunderstorm. Clean, fresh, and cool. Sorta like me. Actually, not like me at all. There were not showers at the church. Looking ahead, it was clear there were no great options for camping/lodging until 90 miles down the road. We all got going pretty early and started tacking on the miles. Traffic was light and conversation was good. A great start to our morning ride.About 10 miles in, we saw a group of cyclists we going the other direction. We took them for a road cycling club, but turns out they were a group of guys doing a cross country trip with vehicle support. So, they did the whole lightweight, drafting, lycra thing on their way across the country. Unfortunately, just as we were approaching, two of them touched wheels and down went Frasier! Unaccountably gleeful for my chance to use the too large medical kit I’ve got with me, I did my best Doc Mike impression and bandaged up a few scraped hands. Profusely thankful, they continued on their trek and we on ours.
A supported cycling group raising money to combat Alzheimer’s
About 30 miles in we pulled over for some breakfast. Steak and eggs served amidst a characteristic Eastern Colorado decor. As we lingered with full bellies outside the diner, Paul showed us his mascot.
Steak and Eggs at K&M Ranchouse Restaurant — Eads, CO Decor at K&M Ranchouse Restaurant — Eads, CO
Paul’s Mascot — Eads, CO
Eads is also the offical half-way mark for the ride across the US. My spreadsheet shows it to be 2 miles ahead of the town, so pretty dang close. By the way, in case you weren’t paying attention. I have cycled halfway across the US on the TransAm Trail
Halfway! –at Eads, Colorado
2,004 miles so far. Halfway!
The plains of Kansas and Eastern Colorado are done now. And they give way in a hurry to a parched landscape that is turning into serious desert. This dry area in turn gives way to semi-arid terrain as we approach the mountains. The cacti are flowering and I was lucky enough to see a hummingbird happily proboscising about.
A few dry years is turning Eastern Colorado into deep desert. –West of Eads, Colorado The latter half of the day gave way to semi-arid brushland
Hummingbird on a flowering Cactus — Arlington, COHummingbird on a flowering Cactus — Arlington, CO Hummingbird on a flowering Cactus — Arlington, CO
Wow … Congratulations Mikey! Enjoy reading your stories 🙂 Keep sending news and good luck in the coming miles! Btw, what is the latest stat on canine chase?
This is amazing! Congrats on the halfway point! Good luck w/ the mountains and desert ahead!
Congratulations! I’m sure the second half will seem shorter.
Not to get too pedantic, but it’s a thistle, not a cactus, and a moth, not a hummingbird.
Wow … Congratulations Mikey! Enjoy reading your stories 🙂 Keep sending news and good luck in the coming miles! Btw, what is the latest stat on canine chase?
Love reading your updates every day. Congrats on making it half way, this sounds like an amazing adventure! Safe Travels!
Congrats on making it halfway. You’re also at 4200ft — you probably didn’t notice it much, but you gained 3000ft crossing Kansas.