June 16, 2011

Today's report from my Ride

Started at 6:30 am and finished at 1:00 pm.

Covered 82 miles, ave speed of 14.9 mph (estimate). Max speed - 29.0

Riding time - don't know for sure, I didn't stop very much though, so I'd say probably 5 hours and 15 minutes.

Feet of elevation climbed - 1700' (estimate).

Wind - out of the S, then the W. On the "Hurt/Help" Wind scale, today was a 0.0.
NOTE: the batteries on my odometer started failing today, so I don't have exact figures (arggg!).  I stopped at the Radio Shack here in Chadron and they put a new one in both my sender and my receiver.  Pics of two very helpful folks further down!  (-:)

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.

About today:

Today started out with a very moving, deeply spiritual experience, a stop at Carhenge, a place that evokes reverent behavior and hushed whispers.  It is NOT to be confused with the cheap mockup somewhere in England!  While walking among this hallowed area, one can almost hear Druid priests chanting...well..., whatever Druid priests chant.  It is truly hallowed ground. 

     Ok, seriously, you can NOT stop at this place without busting out laughing!  It is American humor at its absolute best.  To think that some group would take the time to create a site like this is hilarious.  Thank you to whomever collaborated to make this place happen!  It was a great way to start my day.  (-:)

      You can see this historical site for yourself about 3 miles north of Alliance on Hwy 87.

north of Alliance on Hwy 87

I headed north on Hwy 87 up to Hay Springs.  It's all fairly flat farm ground with a LOT of wheat.  It doesn't make for a real exciting picture, but hey, I snapped it so you just as well see it.



Bordeaux Trading Post



Museum of the Fur Trade

     Tim stopped in at the Museum of the Fur Trade about 3 miles east of Chadron.  He said it was a really neat place.  You can enlarge the marker and read more about the fur trade and James Bordeaux.



The Blaine Hotel, a cool building in Chadron.

Check out the link below about the horse race from Chadron to Chicago in June of 1893.

http://www.thefencepost.com/article/20100306/NEWS/100309931

 

And finally, here are two folks who were real life-savers to me!  As I mentioned earlier, the batteries in my odometer and the part on the front fork that sends information to the odometer were slowly dying today.  So, I stopped in the Petersen Drug Store/Radio Shack in hopes that they would have these specialized little batteries.  Well, they did and their customer service was outstanding!  Thank you again for your help!!  

Amee Diers and Travis Hencey









 

 

 

 

 

Thank-yous for today:

Thank yous also go to my sag driver and friend from GI, Tim Wegenast! 



Tim Wegenast, from Grand Island



Thank you Father Tim Stoner (of St. Patrick Catholic Church here in Chadron).  He was very gracious to put me up at his house this evening.  AND he is from Grand Island originally!  Another small world thing. (-:) 



Father Tim Stoner



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

     For the ability to love even our enemies – Luke 6:27-36

Quote of the Day: 

“Newspapers are unable, seemingly to discriminate between a bicycle accident and the collapse of civilization.” - George Bernard Shaw

 

Forecast for the next day:

Winds start out from the NNW and NW (10 mph at 5 am, 25 mph by 9 am) starting early and getting VERY strong as the day goes on.  I'm going to leave very early.  Once I reach Harrison and turn south I'll have a decent tailwind from the WNW (low 30's with gusts over 50 mph), which will help as it's gonna be a long day...

Route/Towns for the next day:

June 17 - Chadron to Crawford to Fort Robinson to Harrison to Mitchell to Scottsbluff

                   to Gering