Today was not super eventful for our team, but we got to explore more of Nebraska! Throughout our ride today, we got to gradually climb up in elevation while enjoying the views. There were many smells that tickled our noses today, and we got plenty of cold treats to keep us going throughout the day.
Quote of the Day
“You have very flexible calves”
ride overview
Mileage: 82.8 Miles
Elevation: 1,112 ft.
Points of Interest: Cabelas, Java Junction, Baristas Coffee House
Ride Dedication: Nicole Banitt
tales of the trail
The team rolled out today, ready to tackle the gradual climb throughout the day. We started with our ordinary oatmeal and hit the road! Nebraska continued to surprise us throughout the day with the variety of smells our noses encountered; most were not pleasant, but at least we knew our senses were working! As usual, it would not be an I4K ride day without a coffee shop rest stop. We had our rest stop at a coffee house where everyone refueled to have energy for the rest of the day. We were climbing a gradual hill throughout the day, with the steepest part being a grade of 1.6% at one point! So (not) steep! It felt like we were riding on a flat surface throughout the whole day, but slowly and surely, we were gaining elevation. Towards the end of the day, some groups stopped at a Cabela’s to check out what they had to offer, and we all ended the ride by visiting Java Junction! At Java Junction, many people got smoothies and ice cream, a nice way to end an 80-miler on a hot summer day in Nebraska.
Thank you so much to the First Lutheran Church ELCA for providing us with sandwiches to make for dinner, and a place for our team to get some well-needed rest!
cyclist’s corner
Today’s Rider: Dev Dassani
How are you feeling today?
I'm feeling pretty good today. It was a somewhat long day, but we got through the ride pretty fast, because we were going fast, but overall it was a little tough.
Do you have any go-to gas station/rest stop snacks?
No, I don't necessarily have any go to snacks. I normally just try and get carbohydrates, protein, and salt to energize me for the day
What is your rest stop routine?
Chill for a bit, drink some water, and try to get something to eat. If it's a gas station or a cafe, I'll usually get a coffee if it's early enough in the morning, and I usually try to fill up my water bottles. I just do what I can to prepare to get riding again.
How do you stay motivated on long/tough days on the bike?
The way I motivate myself usually varies. A lot of the time, I just try and take it mile by mile or rest stop by rest stop. On some days, I try and lean into the pain. When it gets hard, it's usually not so painful, but just the long days can be a bit tough. Other times, I try and distract myself by either singing a song in my head or just thinking about something to distract me from riding for the day. I also enjoy just talking to my teammates, and on the bike, that helps the day go by quicker
For the remaining portion of the ride, where are you looking forward to visiting the most?
I’m most looking forward to visiting the Grand Tetons. It seems like such a beautiful place and is somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit.