Holly Colorado

Sunday....

Another day without internet connection.  My strategy of buying 10 gb of cell/data using T-mobile has proven a total bust.   Basically T-mobile does not exist in either rural Colorado or Kansas - and no Starbucks to stop in (in fact no stores to stop in).

In any case today was a glorious day.  It started out cold and foggy with temp about 49 degrees.  We had an 79 mile ride from Lamar CO to Lakin KS.  The forecast called for temps to reach 90 degrees and thankfully by noon the cold front dissipated, sun came out and temps got into the high 70"s.

The ride director asked that we only eat a light breakfast and the Methodist Church in Holly Co was going to put on a brunch for us.  The problem was that Holly was only 30 miles into the ride - so that meant breakfast at 7 am and brunch at 10 am.  The Church has been hosting the ride for 29 years.  Have to say I was starving at breakfast and decided that I would eat a big breakfast and stop at the brunch for a cookie or two (just to be polite).  

Got to the Church at just about ten and they had a huge spread as was predicted.   Lots of sandwiches, fruit, coffee, cookies etc.  My "cookie just to be polite" turned into about 3 sandwiches, bowl of fruit, fresh native tomatoes and about 10 cookies and brownies.  Can't believe I pigged out.  My excuse was that we had another 50 miles to ride and there was not going to be another opportunity to eat (which actually turned out to be true).

The ride ended up being the best of the trip so far.  We had a tailwind and Kyle, Russ and I just cruised for 79 miles.  As it was Sunday there was no traffic (actually this place is so remote there may never be traffic).  At about 3 pm the temp reached 90 as was predicted.  But we were done by that time so it helped us dry out out tents and wet clothing from several days ago.

We are staying at the Lakin High School on the front lawn.  Should be interesting tomorrow when the kids arrive for school and they see 40 really grungy, old people in tents on their campus.  They might think it is some kind of AARP protest. 

Tomorrow we ride 80 miles to Dodge City, KS and then we have another break day.  It is supposed to be a glorious day!  Light wind and decent riding temperatures.