Thursday, July 19, 2012

Thoughts on the end of Nebraska. And....Iowa??!!!


Sometime in the past few days we passed a sign at what could well be the mid-point of the Ride.  I say "could," because though the aforementioned sign (and dilapidated cows and covered wagon) seemed quite certain that they were located 1,733 miles from both Frisco and Boston, it's just such a darn big country that it seems too early to celebrate any sort of victory.  Though I have the means of calculating the exact distance, I'm content to continue to roll along with only local maps and mileages, and to occasionally be very surprised when I look at a map of the whole country.



Thoughts on Nebraska (and on riding in general):
The people are so darn nice, kind, friendly, and helpful.  And, Lincoln, NE holds a tiny oasis.
Thanks to some amazing cycling shops (including CycleSport in North Platte, and Wayne Cyclery in Grand Island), bicycle culture is alive and well in NE.
Trolli gummy apple rings are refreshing, even when it's over 100 degrees (and especially when they are donated/gifted by the kindest Sinclair station attendant in the history of gas stations).


Convenience store beer caves are a great place to cool down on a water stop.


Trampolines are always fun.  And can get really hot on a hot day.  Good cycling technique translates well to good jumping technique (as demonstrated by Sam below).


Ice cream (or, on occasion, a root beer float) is the perfect way to finish a long riding day.


Omaha is a lovely town.  Really.  It is on my "places I'd be happy to do residency" list.  Of course, I'd need to fly to Alta on occasion to get some pow.



Now, on to Iowa.  Hard to believe, right?  We crossed the border last night, and are currently in Atlantic, IA.  The states keep rolling away beneath my wheels, the hosts keep showering us with generosity, the towns keep on being charming, the ice in my water bottles gets more and more necessary, and summer feels like it is flying by.

1 comment:

  1. That sounds (and looks) like an amazing trip. I've done some cross-country cycling before, but always with some train/bus rides as well.

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