Nebraska added a new ingredient to the mix of beautiful weather on this ride: towering thunderclouds over wide open country. The adrenaline began to course as the risk of torrential rain and lightning loomed just to the north. As one of Nebraska’s main artery routes, our bikes, cars, and trains shared the path of the Lincoln Highway from Grand Island to Kearney. Tomorrow will take us deep into the Great Plains toward the small town of McCook.
Ride Overview
Mileage: 82.7
Elevation: +1111’/-567’
General Direction: Proceed north from the stayover and turn left onto U.S. 34, continue until mile 45.6, turn left onto U.S. 30 (Lincoln Highway), pass through Alda, Wood River, Shelton, Gibbon, and into Kearney, turn right at mile 81.5, zig zag through the neighborhood to reach the stayover.
Points of Interest: Platte River, Wood River, Lincoln Highway, Union Pacific Nebraska Main Line
Tales of the Trail
More morning storms made for a soggy departure onto U.S. 34., and fields, plants, and occasional towns continued to pass us by. It was a pretty easy day navigation-wise as the route was mainly comprised of two U.S. highways. Nearing the halfway point was the turn onto the Lincoln Highway which runs, get this, from New York to San Francisco! It was special to be able to ride on this road on the route, and combined with the massive cloud cover and near-constant Union Pacific freight train traffic in both directions, made for a uniquely thrilling ride experience. We saw at least fifteen trains over the course of our time on the highway, only gradually outpacing our ride groups and usually multiple miles long. In addition, we have passed one of a few “halfway” points for the ride: as the crow flies, we are now closer to San Francisco than New York City!
We arrived into Kearney in the early afternoon, and after a quick stop at the utterly cute and multifaceted Java Junction, we biked into our stayover of First Lutheran Church. Following another delicious pasta dinner, the team opted to get a fair bit of sleep before another century the following day.
Love Island watch party at the church!
Cyclist’s Corner
Today’s Rider: Kathryn Choate
How are you today? I’m doing well! We had a little bit of rain today, but I had fun with my group out-biking a thunderstorm. Despite me also getting a flat, it was a fun ride!
You’ve fundraised thousands of dollars for our cause. What has been the most impactful fundraising experience you’ve had? I really enjoyed the fundraisers we did as a team because it was really cool to see how much strangers would want to donate to our cause, and it was also really wonderful to bond as a team through things like canning and concessions. I also did a Facebook fundraiser and was surprised lovely way by the response I got, both for people I know and don’t know as well.
What keeps you going when it gets difficult to put in all of those miles or even to get on the bike? I would say the cause. The people in my life that I’m riding for, I definitely think about them when the going gets tough. Also, the people along the way; I have been lucky enough to be a part of several of the Portraits we have done and have been really inspired by their stories and the positive attitudes they’ve had, so I also keep them in my thoughts while I bike.
Do you have a favorite accessory to wear with your ride uniform? I always wear arm sleeves every single day as well as a headband, and I always carry knee compression sleeves. I’ve only used them a couple of times but I keep them there just in case! Also, the amount of sunscreen I put on should definitely count as an accessory, along with the bugs and dirt that stick to me throughout the day!
What’s your rest stop routine? It’s very dependent on how badly I have to pee. Bathroom is usually pretty high on the priority list but sometimes at the rest stop I need an energy bar, and no matter what I always finish up by putting on fifteen gallons of sunscreen.
In the remaining portion of the ride, where are you looking forward to visiting the most? I would say Wyoming. I had a beautiful vacation with my family there a couple years ago, and we visited Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, so I am excited to go again with the team. Last time, I celebrated my birthday at Yellowstone and for the ride I will be celebrating it in the Grand Tetons!
Please visit the rider profiles page on the website to learn more about this year’s riders! :)
A warm welcome(?) into Kearney as glass shards gave both Jonathans one flat each.