We left an hour later today because of a shorter ride - 63 miles. Yes, 63 miles is now considered a shorter ride although it doesn't always feel like it. We were threatened with scattered rain forecasts but were able to escape them and the day turned out quite nice for riding.Not many pictures today. We had a low but steady headwind of 10-15 mph so several of us formed a draft line where each rider takes a turn riding at the front and breaking the wind for those behind. We traded off every mile. This type of riding takes concentration so as not to run into the rider in front of you and so we didn't have time to look around or to stop and take pictures at will.
In the background, above, is a large LP gas manufacturing plant that went on for miles with, what looked like, small wells scattered out in farm fields. From L-R are myself, Scott from Virginia, Ron from MA, Paula from CA, and Noreen from Canada.
Looking back over our shoulders, this photo shows the main complex of the LP plant.We had beautiful shoulders to ride on today with low traffic and no truck traffic - being it is Sunday. With the exception of the Oak Creek Canyon area of Arizona, we generally have had shoulders to ride on which are to the right of the white line. Some shoulders are very nice and some not so nice.
The terrain is starting to look more like some parts of Iowa, the state I am from, with wheat, corn, and alfalfa being the primary crops. There are signs of some irrigation being used.
Tomorrow, we ride to Abilene, KS, where we will have a rest day. This has been our longest stretch of riding without a rest day - 9 days of riding without a break. We are ready for a break.
Tomorrow will, also, be a shorter day at 62 miles and so we will once again leave an hour later at 8:15am. The reason we leave later on shorter days is because our motel rooms are not ready if we get in too early in the afternoon. It is not very comfortable sitting around in sweaty clothes on a hot afternoon.
The morning temperatures having been rising so we no longer are wearing arm and leg warmers to start the days. Now, we only have to decide whether to carry rain clothes.
Bye for now and thanks for the comments.
Bob
