4-Bagger

Lots to sift through today. Today is the only day on this entire trip when I will ride through 4 states in one day (unless I go to the 4-corners). Oklahoma and Arkansas can now be crossed off the list, bringing me to 4 states down and 44 to go. Kansas will be done within 3 minutes of me leaving the hotel in the morning and will hold the status - at least for awhile - of the state I spent the least time in. It will only be 6.7 miles, but not without its share of “excitement”.

It turns out there is 1 motel in Galena, KS. The Galena Motel will cost you $50 cash, but don’t worry, there’s an ATM across the street if you’re a little short. The room comes complete with not only the stench of stale cigarettes, but the visual evidence of the burns in the bedspread as well. If you love an ice cold shower with no soap or shampoo, this is definitely your spot. If you are interested in the night life, I’m sure some of the long-term residents of the establishment can hook you up with some fine methamphetamines. I believe my sunglasses are worth more than some of the vehicles in the parking lot, particularly the one with the flat tire and no license plates.

On a more pleasant note, the ride today was brutal, despite having a 15-20mph tailwind much of the time. There were many ups and downs of the short, steep variety that just sap your strength. Then there was the wrong turn that led to a solid 2 miles on a very uneven dirt and gravel road. I have a gravel bike and it seems to have come out of it fine, but that was not what I had in mind.

To date, I have covered 422.6 miles at an average speed of 12.1 mph. Just over half those miles have been in Oklahoma, but the next 4 days are all in Missouri so that will soon take over the top spot.

I’ve had 16,077‘ of elevation gain.