to Wymore: tailwind, crosswind, tailwind, crosswind - Racpat RTW 2015-2017 - CycleBlaze

August 26, 2017

to Wymore: tailwind, crosswind, tailwind, crosswind

"I had to pedal to go downhill" Rachel says. When the road goes west there is a crosswind. When the road goes north, we have a tailwind. There was plenty of zigzagging today following the suggestions by our warmshowers hosts, Carol and Mike, and avoid route 77. That's the great benefit of networking through warmshowers, getting local advice for routes. At least the wind isn't as strong as it was last night and we make our way to Wymore.

As we are packing up, a couple from Kansas in a small old time camper comes over to talk with us. The road continues to be rolling and less steep in sections. Lots of corn and soybeans, and old windmills by old barns. Our hopes for a second breakfast in Axtell were dashed and also in Summerfield, there are no cafes. Summerfield though has a great city park with shelter, toilet building and water that would make a good place to camp. We make our standard ham and cheese sandwich. There is not much going on in the town for a Saturday morning, not even the sound of a lawn mower. Right out of town is the sign that we are leaving Kansas and a little beyond, Welcome to Nebraska. We are on the prairies.

At Barneston, we see that there is a bike lane. Since this was not part of the suggested route by Carol, we stayed on the asphalt. This stretch had shorter sections heading west into the wind. Making our way past downtown Wymore, we find Mike and Carol. Mike greeted us outside when we were looking for the house number. What a great reception! "What do you want first, a shower or a beer" Carol asks, then directions to the room and bathroom. Carol has done long distance touring and a crazyguyonabike journal "Tortoises Crossing the Continent" http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/Braun2013

After a glass of ice water then a beer, and fruit salad, we clean up. It's always so nice to have a full sized towel to dry off after a shower. Later in the evening, they treated us to a nice dinner at the American Legion. A very nice evening. Tomorrow we take a rest day for work on the bikes and laundry.

A friendly couple from Kansas, travelling in a tiny camper they restored, come to talk with us while we break up camp.
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Kansas farm and windmill.
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Headed north towards Axtell. Tailwind!
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Windmills near Summerfield.
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Abandoned farm house and barn near Summerfield.
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Check-out that front porch. Somebody put a lot of effort into that structure, too bad nobody is taking care of it now.
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Abandoned house in Summerfield.
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Leaving Kansas at Summerfield.
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Into Nebraska.
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Our warmshowers host recommended this route to get to Wymore. It is nice riding with little traffic.
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Rolls of hay in the fields near Wymore.
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Riding in Nebraska farm country.
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The small town of Barneston Nebraska.
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Grain bins in Barneston Nebraska.
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Old stone building in Barneston Nebraska.
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Today's ride: 83 km (52 miles)
Total: 38,168 km (23,702 miles)

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