Kiki Bikes Across America

Thursday, June 25th – Cassoday, KS to Hutchinson, KS

So we did it again – another night ride. This time we left just before midnight. The first 40 miles were relatively fast, but still felt long. It took about 2 hrs and 45 min of riding time to reach Newton where stopped at the one and only open place to eat (since it was like our “lunchtime”) – we stopped at the truck stop restaurant. I got a breakfast burrito which later made me really sick with horrible stomach pains… never again! I think burritos are off the list of food to eat along with any soda (I had a coke the night before and felt really sick afterwards). I’m not sure what’s causing all the sick feelings in my stomach, but I want it to stop. It really makes riding difficult and miserable, especially in the early morning between 4-8am when I’m already partially sleepy and then really sleepy around 5-7am. Urgh. So another morning of stomach pains and nausea.

The ride last night was pretty decent – especially since we stayed on one road the entire 38 miles from Cassoday to Newton. We went 23 miles before seeing a car and then the second car showed up at 29 miles into the ride. We passed a total of 3 cars in over 3 hours time and 38 miles. Pretty incredible how little traffic there is (even in the daytime, it’s not much more than that).

In Newton, we had breakfast (or lunch) and then went to Walmart to restock on a few things (poptarts, gatorade, that sorta stuff) and I had to get pepto bismol to try to relief my stomach’s weird pains… it sort of helped, but I still felt badly for the next few hours. We arrived to Hutchinson after a long 45 miles out of Newton. It dragged and was slow – I was so sleepy and the music playing thru the ipod speakers wasn’t doing me any good. Finally, around 10am we rolled into Hutchinson and went to the Zion Lutheran Church on Washington Street where we knew we’d have a nice place to stay. It’s open to cyclists as a hostel with a shower, beds (two doubles), and kitchen area and a safe place to keep our bikes inside. I showered and then took a 2 hour nap and woke up at 1pm to come out and be awake for a little bit before going back to bed maybe around 6pm tonight. We’ll wake again at 2am to head out for 70-75 miles during the night.

Now I’m sitting in the Metropolitan Coffee place using internet and just finished a blueberry pomegranate smoothie which was good. I’ll probably head out shortly and try to go back and eat and then go back to bed for the night.

GPS Stats:
84.1 miles
06:39 moving time
12.6 avg speed
24.9 max speed

Computer Stats:
85.14 miles
06:37:35 moving time
12.8 avg speed
25.0 max speed

Snake count: 1
Dog chases: 0