The fair winds and kindness of Nebraska
Today we rode 81 miles from Lusk, Wyoming to Chadron, Nebraska. We climbed 1,757 feet. We entered our fifth state, Nebraska.
What a day! We expected an "easy" 80-miler today when we reviewed the route profile, only 1,700 feet of climbing spread over the route, with a net vertical drop of 1,500 feet. What we didn't know was that we would spend the entire day on Route 20, a two-lane road with a silky-smooth surface and the most courteous drivers we have yet to encounter. We had another fire department escort out of town at 0800 and soon found ourselves rolling down Route 20 at a brisk pace. Twenty miles down the road we had a heart-warming welcome in Van Tassell (population 23) at American Legion Post 01, where we were treated to homemade cinnamon rolls and coffee and more words of thanks and encouragement; we truly enjoy meeting and spending time with the people that make time to see us. We stopped for a tasty brown bag lunch, also courtesy of American Legion Post 01, atop a bluff overlooking a spectacular view of Fort Robinson State Park and the surrounding plains. Nebraska has definitely flexed some early beauty. And then came the big downhill in the profile, where we took full advantage of gravity, finishing the day with our fastest average speed of the trip. After the routine of hotel check in and luggage offload, we cleaned up and had a cookout behind the hotel overlooking the Sandhills. As one of our teammates says, "Best Day Ever!"
We have really begun to find a groove. We have a number of "half-ways" coming up (elevation gain, mileage, days on the road) and they translate into experience. The rides have gone from struggles to fun, and we find ourselves looking forward to the days. We had a classic moment this morning when a train running parallel to Route 20 in the opposite direction blew its horn for us when we waved at the conductor. Laughs and smiles all around.
Tomorrow we will ride from Chadron to Gordon, Nebraska. We will cycle 48 miles and climb 1,228 feet.
Totals to Date
Miles: 1,492
Elevation Gain: 55,012
Flat Tires: 27
States crossed: 4
Centuries: 4
Times Crossing the Continental Divide: 5
