Our longest official ride to date! Virtually two roads with some beautiful views of the Great Plains, it was utterly exhausting but a triumph for all.
Ride Overview
Mileage: 103.8
Elevation: +2707’/-2307’
General Direction: Navigate to south Route 44 and ride for the first 16 miles, turn right onto U.S. 6-34 and stay on for the remainder of the route (87 miles), turn right onto E 6th St to reach the stayover.
Points of Interest: Great Plains scenery
Tales of the Trail
A certain numbing of the mind is required to complete the longest routes. Some choose to focus on the mileage between rest stops, others think of intervals such as every five or ten miles, the point is to do one’s best not to envision the ride as a whole. Groups also have plenty of ways to pass the time, including some music with possible karaoke, a game of My Cows, and just talking. Today began with open fields full of irrigation sprinklers and a few small towns, but at around mile 45, the landscape suddenly changed. Gradual hills slowly rocked the riders up and down their slopes, and the Great Plains themselves seemed to open up in front of us. A mixture of these two landscapes composed the distance between Arapahoe and McCook as massive thunderclouds rolled in behind us. We pedaled and pedaled and pedaled all the way into McCook, and successfully avoided the rain (save for one group who got poured on for about two minutes in the last five miles).
Tonight, we are staying at Peace Lutheran Church. We were provided a generous dinner from Subway (some riders had up to four sandwiches) and showered at the local YMCA. Around eight or so hours of riding this distance takes a toll on both our bodies and minds, and we value our rest just as equally. With this, I will sign off and will report tomorrow on another near-century as we breach Colorado’s eastern border.
Cyclist’s Corner
Today’s Rider: Hanna Fei
How are you today? I’m pretty good. I van drove today so it was pretty chill for me, but I really enjoyed cheering on the team and playing music for them at the rest stops, as well as giving the customary little honks as I passed each group.
You’ve fundraised thousands of dollars for our cause. What has been the most impactful fundraising experience you’ve had? The generosity we receive from strangers that we meet on the road has been really touching. For example, a lot of people talk to us at gas stations we stop at and have donated much to our cause. It makes the trip itself feel more impactful.
What keeps you going when it gets difficult to put in all of those miles or even to get on the bike? The positive energy from my teammates really helps me to get going. We really try and encourage each other, and having music also keeps spirits up and me from falling asleep. My favorite is when whole groups are singing.
Do you have a favorite accessory to wear with your ride uniform? I’ve been really enjoying wearing fun socks. I got a new pair in Lincoln which have sloths on them and they are my favorite! It cheers me up when I look at them. I also love the Bob Ross temporary tattoo that Olivia gave me.
What’s your rest stop routine? I usually try to use the bathroom first. I don’t really have a regular routine, I just get everything done that I need to. If it’s a gas station I like to go inside and see if there’s any food I want; I have been getting into Casey’s breakfast sandwiches recently.
In the remaining portion of the ride, where are you looking forward to visiting the most? I’m looking forward to seeing my friend Ed who lives in Denver. He helped me get my first college bike and is going to ride with us for the first twenty miles on the way out of Boulder. I am also looking forward to the Grand Tetons in Wyoming!
Please visit the rider profiles page on the website to learn more about this year’s riders! :)
