Day 22 (6/13/09)

Thanks to the fact that Eureka, Ks. sucks like its vacuum cleaner namesake, we got up and out of there early, fueled by our Pop Tarts. Fortunately, 22 miles into the ride we found a great little Cafe in Toronto, Ks., managed by a Daytona Beach, Fl. expatriate (She also managed the local Deli and liquor store, those three establishments generally consisting of the entire town), where we had a great breakfast. We would need it. Jere, simply won't rely on clicking his heals together to get home, he's driving Tim and I harder each day. Despite fighting a headwind virtually the entire day, we arrived on the outskirts of Pittsburg (I was reminded that although Pittsburg was named after Pittsburgh, Pa., the people of Kansas either couldn't spell or wanted their own little identity so they dropped the "h") with an average speed of 19.7 mph over the 120 miles. I asked Jere between gasps of air, whether he ever heard of the concept of going to the well too often; at some point there won't be anything left, and we still have a ways to go. (We've ridden in excess of 100 miles, 12 out of the last 14 days.). Jere said something to the effect that if you had public water you wouldn't need the damn well and he dropped to another gear and picked up the pace. The only tried and true method I've discovered to catch a real breather (besides taking pictures of cows lying in beds of flowers) is to call for a pee break. Even though I don't have to go, the old goats with the shrinking prostrates hit the air breaks and stop almost immediately.

Tom of our support team, is a huge Penn State fan, plus he's never been outside Pa. before, so he thinks the whole world knows who Joe Paterno is. To test his theory, at breakfast in Toronto, Jere asked one of the two patrons in the Cafe, who was the coach of Penn State. We didn't ask "coach of PSU", because he would have quickly rattled off the name of the coach of the Pittsburg State University fighting gorillas, which would have stupefied us. He hemmed and hawed, said he knew it, but couldn't quite come up with the name. I said; "Okay, who is the coach of FSU?" (He of course knew I was talking about my Alma Matter and not Frostburg State or Fresno State.) Without hesitation he said; "Bobby Bowden". I said; "the PSU coach is neck and neck with Bowden for wins". That triggered it and he came up with Paterno's name. Point of fact, Bowden is more universally known than Paterno outside of Pennsylvania. Sorry Tom.


Eastern Kansas is getting us ready for eastern Kentucky as we have had to out sprint some unleashed dogs a couple of times today. So far, we are winning the sprints of the unleashed dogs, but .... As we were riding along, not paying particular attention, we heard the sounds of dogs barking to our right. Immediately, heads snapped right to determine our fate, when we noticed the dogs were; a) greyhounds and b) inside separate dog runs, parallel to the road for at least 200 yards. Jere, being the ex-racer, but still looking for a good race whenever he can, took off. The greyhound, probably an ex-racer too, saw Jere and took off too. Jere gave it all he could, hitting 38 mph. Tim and I watched as the greyhound simply kept pace with Jere, but it was clear the dog had some reserve before he hit the end of the run. Jere on the other hand, was toast for awhile. Hopefully, the Kentuckians can't afford greyhounds or if they can, they too keep them in a pen because if Jere can't beat them, Tim and I will be chew toys.
Tomorrow we cross into Missouri about 5 miles outside of Pittsburg, Ks. The Ozark Mountains await us. I actually look forward to the change of terrain,. Hopefully, the hills will break the wind and give us a chance to get out of the saddle to peddle, offering some much needed relief to the glut muscles.