We only biked 48 miles today and it felt like a day off! Once again we hit the highway at 5 am. Late last night there was a powerful thunderstorm which cooled things off considerably, and the cool held through the morning. A cloud cover shielded us from the sun as well, so we had our best weather day so far.
Although we ate breakfast before we left the motel (oatmeal, yogurt, bananas, chocolate milk) Bill was in the mood for bacon and eggs when we rolled into the town halfway to our destination. Two young Norwegian women were biking in from the east so we chatted with them about finding a cafe together. About 2 blocks up Main St. Bill spotted another biker and while he checked in with her, the girls and I exchanged the usual: starting point, final destination, hometown, etc. They said since Virginia they had been hearing about another Norwegian, Nina, who was biking ahead of them. Wouldn’t you know it, Bill was talking with Nina! So far we’ve also met 2 cyclers from Serbia, 3 from New Hampshire, 1 from Boston, 2 from LA, 2 from Britain, and 2 from Cincinnati.
Not sure if the photo is large enough to show my shirt coated with gnats, the downside of the rain.
Sixteen years ago today we lost my dad, so in his honor we sing the golden oldie Duke of Earl.
Cumulative miles 360, Scott City Inn in Scott City, KS.
willmeriwether 
I love it! Sherry
By: Sherry Kenney on July 21, 2011
at 4:23 pm
Ha, what is it with Bill’s Chat Sense? Remember when Bill was chatting up this one… http://i53.tinypic.com/28m05lk.jpg in the restaurant in Cheyenne (Sanford’s Grub and Pub), and it turned out that her new roommate was the one he had just been chatting up in the bar we were at before there? – Ned
By: Ned on July 21, 2011
at 4:43 pm
I’m surprised at what an international road it is! Glad you’re having fun and keeping cool. The media is going on about how hot it is everywhere. Hope you’re able to avoid the worst of the heat!
By: Brian Kurtz on July 21, 2011
at 5:06 pm
We will take 4 short instead of 2 long days coming up to avoid pedaling after 10am. Wish Kansas wasn’t so wide though.
By: willmeriwether on July 21, 2011
at 7:52 pm
Is this like some kind of international cycling road? What fun to meet all these new friends!
Whatever you eat, I imagine you burn it off pretty fast.
Your blog is great reading along with everybody’s comments.
Pedal on!
By: Marge Romberger on July 21, 2011
at 7:04 pm
Great gnats
By: Bruce on July 21, 2011
at 7:45 pm
Glad you guys had rain and a little cooler weather. I’m afraid it won’t last. Where do you enter Missouri or do you drop down and go anywhere near Tulsa? I have relatives in KC, St Louis and Tulsa.
As in the Appalachian Trail, it sounds like one of the great parts is meeting the others who are doing the same thing.
Blessings,
Radford
By: Radford Rader on July 22, 2011
at 10:56 am
We will head almost right across the center of Kansas, south of KC about 50 miles, towards Clinton MO to get onto the Katy Trail. That takes us to St. Charles so will be north of St. Louis.
By: willmeriwether on July 22, 2011
at 4:33 pm
Eric is just leaving to go ride the Courage Classic and I am so jealous that I am seeing green. Maybe by this time tomorrow when he is headed up Vail Pass AFTER riding 40 miles and two other passes, I won’t be so envious.
Would love to do your ride one day.
Pam Bartczak
By: Pamela Bartczak on July 22, 2011
at 3:35 pm
We just had a conversation with another cross-country couple about why there aren’t more women riding. So I am taking a poll: why did Eric do the Classic but you didn’t?
By: willmeriwether on July 23, 2011
at 4:32 pm
Pam, glad you got to the mountains with Eric. My favorite time to ride is around sunrise.
By: willmeriwether on July 28, 2011
at 4:14 pm
Lord, I’m (we’re) five hundred miles away from home!
By: Marge Romberger on July 25, 2011
at 1:45 pm
Marge, we officially are 500 miles from home. Love the sunflower photo and the melted ice cream truck you emailed!
By: willmeriwether on July 26, 2011
at 2:43 pm