Really, Kansas?

Frogs, lizards, turtles, snakes, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, armadillos, cats, dogs, foxes, deer, coyotes, birds, hawks, and buzzards. These animals comprise a list of dead bodies I have seen along the road. Each has been seen innumerably often. To this list, I must now add the Owl. Really, Kansas? You found a way to hit an owl with a pickup truck? I thought they were supposed to be so wise and stoic... Maybe the wisdom was too much for this particular owl and he took his own life by placing himself before a speeding vehicle. Either way, that is a first.



So I've learned many things on this trip and continue to learn more each day. One thing I learned today is that in spite of all my hopes and fancies, the trip never really gets easier.

I thought Kansas would bring smooth plains and smoother sailing my way. I was wrong. The entire state is set up topographically as though it were laid out length-wise across the glass of a pinball machine. It's mostly flat, but the entire length of the state is at a slight incline. It is not steep enough to really be considered a climb, but it's just right to put you on the wrong side of gravity. That, combined with the continuous winds from the West, the unrelenting sun and lack of shade-providing features, and the utter straightness of every road makes each mile through Kansas feel like ten. Mentally and physically.

Either way, I knocked out another 104 miles today and made it to a bike hostel in the basement of a church. I have my own queen-size bed, a huge kitchen, shower, air conditioning, and best of all, I don't need to unpack anything! They provide towels, soap, sheets, pillows, and lights. All I had to take out was my lounging clothes.

I was extremely lucky to make it here, too. Usually, bikers are supposed to pick up the key from the bike shop, but it is closed on Sundays. I knew this all day, but hoped that I would get here and find a phone number or something and work it out. I had heard from a few bikers headed the other way that this place was great, so my hopes were high. Anyway, just as I pulled up to the church, the pastor and secretary were leaving. I was able to catch them and they graciously let me inside. The whole basement is a bike hostel and it is just as good as everyone said.


I did some math and calculated that an average of 80 miles from here on out would put me in San Francisco by August 5. I figured with a couple rest days and maybe some slower days, I'll be in by the 8th or 9th. I'm glad I can actually start thinking about a date because when I left, I truly had no idea when I would finish. I was even looking at plane tickets for the 16th! I wouldn't mind spending a couple days in San Francisco to check things out, but I think I would be in real trouble if I wound up with 9 days to kill. I don't think they have too many campgrounds in downtown San Francisco.

I'm trying not to think too much about the end because I still have another couple days in Kansas. I know now that each state will present it's own set of obstacles and it'll only get harder. I have the Rockies, the desert, the Sierra Nevadas, the Utah plateaus, and who knows what else.

Pretty much every activity I've ever been committed to involves huge sacrifice, physical pain and struggle, overall misery and suffering all for that final moment of glory. It is only through such sacrifices that we can truly experience the highest levels of emotion. I try to remember that when I'm frustrated and worn down by a full day of headwinds and record heat.

It had been and will continue to be a tough journey, but that is because I choose for it to be that way. I could do 40 mile days and drink in the local cultures and stop at all the tourist spots, but that's not what this is about. This is about doing what I can to discover my real limits and explore the farthest extreme of my character. I'll get enough scenery either way, and to be honest, most of America is not all that interesting. It is more important to me that I push the boundries and feel the pain. Once you can embrace the pain with the knowledge of what it will yield, it becomes a motivator.

Made a nice bowl of chicken soup, drank over 4 gallons of Gatorade today, two Naked mango drinks, an incalculable amount of water, a chocolate milk and ate some chicken. I still felt dry by the time I arrived in Hutchinson. Well played, Kansas.

Location:Hutchinson, KS