June 12, 2011

Today's report from my Ride

Started at 6:00 am and finished at 4:30 pm.     

Covered 96 miles (note), ave speed of 14.6 mph.  Max speed - 35.6 mph

Riding time - 6 hours and 36 minutes.  

Feet of elevation climbed - 3681'. 

Wind - out of the SSE.  On the "Hurt/Help" Wind scale, today was a +1.0. 

The "Hurt/Help" Wind Scale is my way of saying "this is how much the wind hurt/helped me over the course of the day".  It can Hurt me up to a -5, or help me up to a +5. 

NOTE: My mileage was less than planned as I had to stop once I reached Hwy 83 rather then take it south into North Platte.  It was 4:30 (we "lost" two hours stopping for church in Broken Bow) and my host family had to be somewhere at 5:30.  So, we had to drive into town to their house before they left.  I will still cover this part of Hwy 83 when I leave North Platte and go north tomorrow morning. 

MY SECOND WISH CHILD:

Cole, from the Fremont area

     The second Wish Child I am sponsoring is a fighter!  When Cole was just 10 days old he suffered blood clots in his heart.  Now, as a 3 year old, he has an aggressive kidney cancer. In July of 2010, he was diagnosed with stage 5 Wilm’s Tumor. He started chemotherapy the next day. He is a strong boy who continues to struggle against his illness. When the Wish-Granters met with him to discuss his wish, they learned that he loves rides and wanted to go to a special theme park in Orlando.  Having Cole's wish granted will mean so very much to him and his family.

The biggest tree planter in world!  It's growing up in the silo. 

About today: Beautiful weather today, and LOTS of beautiful countryside!  When we arrived in Broken Bow, we stopped for worship at Our Savior Lutheran Church.  

Our Savior LC in Broken Bow

Ready to tip over Democrat Hill!

Looking back to Democrat Hill.  Pictures never do it justice!

     One of the things I really looked forward to today was descending Democrat Hill, between Callaway and Broken Bow.  It drops 210 feet (according to my altimeter), but is not much fun as it is SO rough.  Didn't even hit 36 mph as I had a headwind as well. 

looking east

North of Arnold is Junkins Table.  It is a huge climb north out of town up onto this table and from there the views are beautiful!  You MUST see it for yourself sometime.  (-:)

looking west

looking down into Devil's Gulch

Thank-yous for today: A huge thank you goes to Barry and Colleen Schochenmaier for sagging me today!  They were so very helpful.  Thank you my friends.  See yesterday's update for a picture of them.  

Many thanks to Todd and Tammy Hlavaty, my host family tonight in North Platte.  

Bible verses dealing with Jesus and “wishes”.  A WISH…

     For a loved one to live again (widow of Nain) – Luke 7:11-17

Quote of the Day: 

"If the pack splits, and it will, it's a hell of lot better to be the weakest guy in the first group than the strongest guy in the second group." - Anonymous

New Spin Home Wisdom story: "When Critters Meet Bikes"

Forecast for the next day:

Wind out of the NNE up to 9 mph.  So, not too bad, but not in my favor until I turn east at Thedford.  30% chance of isolated thundershowers.  Highs in the 80's.  We'll see how the day goes...


Route/Towns for the next day: 

June 13 - North Platte to Stapleton to Thedford to Mullen