July 2 Crossing America
Ness City, KS – Sheridan Lake, CO Distance 136 miles, I rode 104 miles.
Total distance traveled through today 2,236 miles, miles by bike 1,898.
Wind generators of Western Kansas
Jerry B. I confirmed what you and I knew, I can make my own way as I’ll share with you
here. Yesterday I elected to go to the library to catch up my journal instead of taking a shower. By the time I got back to our campsite the pool where the showers were located had closed for the day at 6:00 PM. I was grungy from riding and needed a shower
desperately. Thus, I went to the first home I spotted, knocked on the door introduced myself and expressed my need of a shower and if he would be so kind to extend the hospitality to this Old Guy. I barely got the words out and he said come on in and took me directly to the bathroom and even provided a towel. Even more special when I came out
of the bathroom he handed me a check as a donation for fighting MS. I was so grateful for the kindness and generosity of the Pat Gerstner family in Ness City. You have proven once again my belief in the mantra folks all across America are good hearted and willing to lend a helping hand to their fellow man. Thus the Gerstner family are my latest “Road Angels”.
Thank you and I’ll always remember your kindness.
Today would be the longest distance our crew would travel to date in one day a 136 miles or more. The original plan was to stop in Tribune, KS a distance of 104 miles and I felt with the help of a tailwind that was doable. The first 18 miles there was little to no wind but then the forecasted SSE wind kicked in and I was able to jump my miles per hour from 12.8 to 16.2 by the time I reached Tribune. However the last 4 miles the wind changed to
be coming straight out of the South and my speed dropped substantially.
- Abandoned Prairie Home
Add to this my butt was sore, by now you would think I’d have such a callous built up on my behind there wouldn’t be a continuing issue but it is. I’ve used so much Chamois Buttr’ I think I need to buy shares of stock of that company. The group was split almost evenly on where we should stop for the day to take advantage of the trailing crosswind. Half wanted to stop at Sheridan Lake while the other half didn’t want to stay there as we would be camping in back of a convenience store with no services. I didn’t like that idea myself. The other half wanted to continue onto Eads, CO where there are full accommodations including a motel to stay in. I liked that idea but given my butt condition and the wind change knew I wouldn’t be able to tolerate the distance. I told Pepper I’d call it a day in Tribune and ride in the van to Sheridan. This was a good plan as we stopped in Tribune to eat, take advantage of the city pool and I took a shower, too. About a half hour after the leading riders in the group left Arron, who was in the group, text back the wind was now a
headwind and the going rough. Sometimes I can make the right decision at the right time.
As we departed Tribune the sky opened up with a good downpour, again glad I decided
not to continue riding. The 32 mile drive to Sheridan Lake by van was short compared to the 3+ hours it would have taken me to ride my bike there. Arriving at the convenience store we intended to camp behind we learned from the store owner the Sheridan Bible Church was allowing cyclists to stay in their church when weather conditions were bad and
it was still sprinkling rain with a forecast of rain through the night.
Sheridan Bible Church
The church was only two blocks from the store and very modern, clean and comfortable. To my surprise they even allowed us to bring our bikes inside for the night and we have a kitchen to fix breakfast. Yah! I don’t have to eat Pop-Tarts again in the morning.
About an hour after we were in the church this local church member named Burl, a burly
barrel chested of a man walks in and in a stern booming voice announces we are to take good care of the church and when we leave in the morning it better be cleaner than when we arrived. Sounded very familiar of what I used to tell the Boy Scouts when we stayed places on our many adventures. I took an immediate liking to Burl. He walked into the
sanctuary and next I heard this beautiful Organ music so went in to see Burl playing it. He apologized for interrupting our quietude. Told him quite the contrary I found his music to be a joy. To which he played me several numbers. After he finished, he said he’d been in
earlier to fix a sticking pedal on the Organ and wanted to be sure it was ready for tomorrow morning’s service. I had forgot tomorrow is Sunday, all our days run together. Quite a talented individual as I learned he bought the Organ for the church about 8 years ago, off eBay from a church in Missouri. Long story short or in my case never short, over the next half hour I learned Burl is a farmer and had spent the entire day harvesting hail damaged wheat but still made time to serve his church. We talked about politics, Indians how they were abused in the 1800s but shouldn’t be coddled yet today, same for the slavery issue and even the internment of Japanese Americans during WW-II. Burl also apologized for his gruff tone when he arrived but they have had cyclists who have abused the kindness of this church. I also learned the Church is an Intra-denominational which means it accepts the teachings of the bible literally as it is written. By the time Burl and I finished talking I felt like he and I were longtime friends. Today God has provided us with an entire congregation of “Road Angels”. Thank you God for taking care of us on this
journey across America may we in turn be good shepherds of yours with all those we come in contact.
Our Crew Leaders L-R: George, Pepper and Amanda
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2 Comments
larry covington
July 3, 2011Just read the last weeks of your writings. Great stories Frank. Keep it up.
admin
July 3, 2011As always you have made my day. Hope the stories are becoming a little more entertaining. Be sure to check out July 3rd and my dedication of a section of Hwy 96 and let me know what you think of it.