Wichita KS to Pratt KS
Today’s winds were not as strong and switched over from the west to the northeast. This made for much better cycling conditions for us. No howling winds blasting us in the face and dragging us down.
Our route took us onto some remote paved farming roads. Once we left the city limits all traffic completely disappeared. We rode for over 60 miles without coming across anything but wheat fields. No stores, cars or people…nothing. This gave us sixty miles of peaceful riding in the center of the road without the threat of traffic.
Lucky for us we had plenty of fluids and snacks already onboard the bikes. We will have more of these remote conditions as we ride into Colorado. We already know of one 120-mile stretch coming up with no services at all.
The wind moved the wheat in waves and with the shadows the fields appeared as huge green oceans. It was an amazing constantly changing site that kept us occupied.
When we approached Pratt Kansas we had a decision to make. Continue onto Greenfield another 32 miles or end the day a little early. Greenfield was the next town with a place to sleep. We had time to complete the added miles but decided to grab the needed rest the short day would give us. This ended up to be the correct decision as we later found out.
We secured a room then hopped back onto the bikes and headed into town for dinner. As we were coming out of the restaurant a few locals asked us about our journey. We found out they were from Greenfield the town we had decided not to continue on to.
Like I said, that ended up to be the right decision. Less than a year ago 95% of that town was destroyed by a tornado. The remaining 5% of the buildings still standing were damaged. The motels were GONE. We would have had to travel well into the night or turn around to find a place to sleep.
The man said when the storm hit he ran into a closet and lucky for him that was the only thing left standing of his house. Many people have left the town and the rest are still rebuilding. Tomorrow we will ride trough this town and see what Mother Nature can do.
It is not uncommon for large pieces of farm equipment to drive through the center of town. We look at the green John Deere monsters passing through in amazement; the locals don’t give them a second glance.
Our main event for tomorrow will be to rendezvous with the post office in Ford KS to pick up the package of parts mailed to us. Hopefully this goes as planned.
Today’s winds were not as strong and switched over from the west to the northeast. This made for much better cycling conditions for us. No howling winds blasting us in the face and dragging us down.
Our route took us onto some remote paved farming roads. Once we left the city limits all traffic completely disappeared. We rode for over 60 miles without coming across anything but wheat fields. No stores, cars or people…nothing. This gave us sixty miles of peaceful riding in the center of the road without the threat of traffic.
Lucky for us we had plenty of fluids and snacks already onboard the bikes. We will have more of these remote conditions as we ride into Colorado. We already know of one 120-mile stretch coming up with no services at all.
The wind moved the wheat in waves and with the shadows the fields appeared as huge green oceans. It was an amazing constantly changing site that kept us occupied.
When we approached Pratt Kansas we had a decision to make. Continue onto Greenfield another 32 miles or end the day a little early. Greenfield was the next town with a place to sleep. We had time to complete the added miles but decided to grab the needed rest the short day would give us. This ended up to be the correct decision as we later found out.
We secured a room then hopped back onto the bikes and headed into town for dinner. As we were coming out of the restaurant a few locals asked us about our journey. We found out they were from Greenfield the town we had decided not to continue on to.
Like I said, that ended up to be the right decision. Less than a year ago 95% of that town was destroyed by a tornado. The remaining 5% of the buildings still standing were damaged. The motels were GONE. We would have had to travel well into the night or turn around to find a place to sleep.
The man said when the storm hit he ran into a closet and lucky for him that was the only thing left standing of his house. Many people have left the town and the rest are still rebuilding. Tomorrow we will ride trough this town and see what Mother Nature can do.
It is not uncommon for large pieces of farm equipment to drive through the center of town. We look at the green John Deere monsters passing through in amazement; the locals don’t give them a second glance.
Our main event for tomorrow will be to rendezvous with the post office in Ford KS to pick up the package of parts mailed to us. Hopefully this goes as planned.
No comments:
Post a Comment