Friday, 2Jul10, Abilene, KS
Guess what?
Before I forget it … what did Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower say about his presidency? Don’t know?
No problem, let me help you out!
“The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene.” Dwight D. Eisenhower, Homecoming Speech, June 22, 1945.
Abilene became a town (or a spot on the map) way back in 1857 when the Hershey’s settled into a dugout in the banks of Mud Creek.
Abilene also became the 1st cowtown when the Kansas Pacific Railroad and Chisholm Trail crossed.
Here is Abilene’s claim to fame … “Everything you have seen or heard about cowboys happened here first!”
The town is the home to some famous lawmen: Tom Smith and Wild Bill Hickok …
Well, that’s my walk down history and memory lane with you … about Abilene, Kansas.
What can I say about cycling into Abilene?
What an incredible day! It was awesome! The “wind Gods” smiled on us and gave us the “wind beneath our wheels” and a great big tailwind! (How about a 20.6 mph average for 64 miles into Abilene?)
Thank you for a really neat lesson in “cycling strength and power’ … taught to me by Phil (one of our most consistent, safe, and strongest riders … who put the “hammer” down and dropped me on one of the rolling hills and then he was gone … although I was able to keep him in sight until we all stopped for a picture at the ABB 1/2 way point which was marked on the highway!
Also thank you to Kiwi Rick (from New Zealand) who agreed to work with me trying to keep Phil and Gerard in sight ,,, Rick is an awesome paceline partner … way to go, Rick! (We were doing 28 mph together only to find out later that Phil and Gerard were crusing along at 30+ mph. Darn!”
Adella started early today with Pam and their goal was to not get caught by the ABB peloton … at least until the 1/2 point of the ABB ride. (see the Facebook photos)
After that …. and another 9 miles came an awesome SAG stop … where I was able to enjoy fresh blueberries, sweet cheeries, small cupcakes … plus all of our normal stuff to eat.
As we left the SAG … I was able to get my picture taken with a local deputy sheriff … Jab Jacquart … very friendly and willing to take a picture with us. (another tiny little guy … not!)
Once again I hooked up with Kiwi Rick … and … we had a blast .. pedaling our wee little behinds off! (It was really cool because we would turn LEFT and the wind would be in our faces for about a mile … then we would turn RIGHT and we would have a tailwind for 5 miles … no way to describle it other than, AWESOME!
I then hooked up to the cycling train of: Big John H, Larry J., Kiwi Rick, Gerard, Pam, and Joy.
Once in Abilene we stopped at the cafe … “The Dish” … great food, friendly hostess, great decor, and lots of cyclist camaraderie!
While there … I notice a framed saying titled …
FAMILY
“Let’s be grateful for those who give us happiness, they are the charming gardners who make our soul bloom. Marcel Proust” (I took a picture of it because it really touched my heart!)
Then back to the hotel and now to finish the blog, go to DQ, and get ready for a new day of 108 miles tomorrow … cycling into Topeka, KS. (Channel 27 out of Topeaka may give us an interview tomorrow.)
Here’s a note from the SLC reporter Hikari about the upcoming article in Mormon Times/Deseret News:
- Hi Larry and Adella!
Just wanted to let you know that the article on you guys will go live online tomorrow (JULY 3) at mormontimes.com
Also, the print edition runs on THURSDAY (JULY 8). I will make sure to grab some and send them home for you to the address that Adella gave to me!I have been telling people all about you guys! I’m glad to hear that things are going well!
-Hikari
Well, that’s about it for today … talk to you tomorrow.