Day 36 – Wind Really Blows

Ness City, KS to Leoti, KS – 78 miles

This morning started off at the city park in Ness City.  Dries and I were up around 730 and then went to the Cactus Club a couple of blocks away for breakfast.  The service was slow, but I’m not sure we minded it all that much as the winds were blowing and we knew today was going to be tough.

It was almost 10 by the time we were on the bikes and as we were getting ready to pedal out of town we saw Max and Julia.  The entire day was spent battling winds coming out of the south west.  We basically got on Hwy 96 and stayed on that the whole day.  The route follows 96 for at least the next 200 miles to Pueblo, CO.

We stopped in Dighton for a break and Max and Julia said they were going to stop in Scott City.  I had touched base with a Warmshowers host in Leoti, about another 25 miles, so Dries and I decided to push on.

Tonight we’re at Terry and Carol’s house in Leoti.  We were able to get a shower and even a warm meal!  Terry seems to be into a little bit of everything.  He is a volunteer firefighter, EMT, owns a truck repair shop, and does maintenance at the hospital.  Carol is the County Treasurer.  We also met Carol’s mom, Maybel, who is staying with them for a few days as she heals up from a hip replacement.  Great people and it feels awesome to have a bed after a really tough day and prepare for what is sure to be an even tougher day tomorrow.  My plan is to try to make it to Kansas’ highpoint, Mount Sun Flower then head into Colorado and stay at Cheyenne Wells, CO.  There is nothing in the area and it will require 24 miles of dirt/gravel road that may or may not be bikeable.  Here’s to winging it!