Newton, KS to Larned, KS – 110 miles
Yesterday I woke up in the Newton Bike Shop feeling like I could sleep longer and not sure if I would follow everyone on Hwy 50 or stick to the Trans Am. Made an egg and bacon breakfast burrito, packed up, and left the bike shop around 830. I decided to follow them on Hwy 50 and just catch back up with the Trans Am by the end of the day.
Shortly into the ride I remembered that I forgot to top off my tires, so I pumped them up at our first rest stop. Sure enough I ended the no flats hot streak I was on by putting a hole in the valve stem as I was pumping up the rear tire. Unloaded my bike and swapped out the tube. After only another couple miles down the route sure enough got another flat. I told the rest of the crew to ride on. Changing the tire while semis rolled by was pretty terrible. And it was hot. I found the hole, but nothing that could have cause it. Decided to patch it since I only had one tube left. As I inflated it I put another hole in the valve stem.
Swapped out the tube again and was now on my last tube, praying this one didn’t go flat. Got a text from Dries saying they were going to head back up to the Trans Am. I continued to head down hwy 50 to hit a bike shop in Hutchinson and restock on tubes. Luckily I made it there without anymore flats. Bought five tubes and ate lunch at the Subway next door.
The road back to the Trans Am was north west and I had a solid tail wind. Had to average around 20 mph for that 10 mile stretch of road. It was great.
The town where I rejoined the Trail at was the last service stop for 58 miles. Longest stretch without services yet. Filled up my camelbak and three water bottles and headed out. Saw Dries, Max, and Julia on the way out of town. They were looking hot and tired. I told them I was going to go for it to Larned. Sounded like they were going to stop in Hudson about 5 miles off route, but 25-30 miles short of Larned.
The last 58 miles to Larned was flat, long, and hot. I was definitely on the verge of overheating for the last 20-30 miles. Took frequent breaks where I could find some shade to keep the splitting dehydration headache at bay.
I rolled into Larned exhausted and relieved to be there. Found the city park where they let cyclist camp and then went to grab some food. There was another cyclist camping at the city park named Rick. Didn’t talk to him much because he was already in his tent when I showed up. Maybe I’ll run into some more down the road.
