Today started like any other 100 mile day. We woke up at 5:30 and started packing up our things while Sean cooked us a delicious breakfast of oatmeal and turkey bacon. Spokes oatmeal is typically made with soy milk, but today we used coconut milk. It’s flavored with cinnamon, brown sugar and protein powder - not bad.
Google maps was sending us on a southeastern route with a significant section due south at the end of the day… Directly into the wind. So, we opted to add an additional 10 mils and begin our ride by riding 40 miles due south (we thought the headwind would be more manageable in the morning) and end with 60 miles of riding east. We left the church at 7:15 am. The first 17 miles didn’t feel too bad, but when we arrived, Travis and Anna told us that we were only biking 10 miles per hour, which is significantly slower than usual. Thankfully, the headwind wasn’t as demoralizing as it was in Nevada. I was under the impression that we would pass a gas station at mile 28, only 11 more miles, so I biked ahead in search of a toilet. To my utter dismay, there was no gas station. I biked the next 13 miles in steadfast concentration. Biking when you have to use the bathroom is not pleasant, but undeniably motivating. My angsty playlist of Green Day, Blink 182, The Offspring, and Fall Out Boy helped keep me going too!
Sean, Just as Excited as Me, Resting inside a Cornfield
When I arrived in Ness City, I frolicked with glee. Anna and Travis surprised us with cherries and gogurts and, most importantly, there was a bathroom. Hopping back on the bike, I felt much lighter. We had 60 miles to bike but no more headwind. I set off at a brisk pace, trying to catch up with Sean who left about 5 minutes before me. I was really cranking it. Only after I biked 19 miles to the next stop did I realize that Sean was not ahead of me… He took a wrong turn and was behind me, initially trying to catch up to me, but I was speeding to try to catch up with him! The final 40 miles was pretty tough. At one point, I was dancing too hard and slipped on some dirt. I fell off my bike and bent my derailleur. Sad face. We made it to Great Bend just in time to have our bikes serviced at Golden Belt Bike Shop. Today was Asia’s first 100 mile day! Woohoo!
At the bike shop, I saw a coupon for a free 15 minute percussion massage and called the number on the back. Jeremiah answered the phone and happily said he would give us all free massages! I was reluctant to invite him to the house we were staying at, so he suggested we meet at the fitness club in town. When we got to our Warm Showers, however, our host, John, offered up his massage table! So, Jeremiah came to John’s house! I heard the doorbell ring and saw him holding his two children and wearing a cast on his broken wrist. I’ll admit that I felt a little bit skeptical about getting massaged by someone in a cast, but sure enough, when I laid down on the massage table, Jeremiah worked some magic on my neck and back. He gave five of us massages and we cooked him dinner! It was so lovely to meet someone so generous and excited to share his talent with others. After dinner, John made a bonfire and brought out some of his drums for a drum circle! Such a joy to play music together!
Group Photo in Front of John’s House in Great Bend
Thank you so much John and Jerimiah!
Warmly,
Maceo