TA 2 - October 2

Last day of biking today!  After a day off the bike it was nice to be out there again. Despite some dire radar reports the weather was actually great. A bit of drizzle/rain for the first hour or so but then it cleared up more and more. By the time we got to Wichita the sun was out and it was a lovely day.

Not much to take pictures of today. Oh - before we started out this morning we finally took a group shot. We’ve been meaning to do this since day one, but something always got in the way.

We were out shortly after 8. No hills and few photo ops to separate us, so everyone was riding fairly close together today. More agriculture and oil wells. As we got closer to Wichita there were a few more acreages and farmhouses, as well as a few small towns. Really, though, not a lot different than previous days.

The roads had good surfaces, no shoulder and little traffic. A bit of a headwind on one longish southbound stretch, but overall it was pretty effortless riding. A lot of small critters haven’t had good days or nights recently - lots of roadkill out there.

We’re staying in a nice new Hampton Inn on the western edge of town. They always put us in a nice place on the last night; probably so that we go home with a good last impression. The last day is a flurry of activities as everyone readies themselves and their bikes for travel. Cy has made several trips to the local bike shops with those folks who are having their bikes shipped home. Others, such as my roommate tonight, are disassembling their trusty steeds in the room and putting them in boxes so they can fly with them. Two of us have rented, so it is a relief to just turn them over at the end. They will travel back to storage with the van and trailer. And - a few people will be driving home, so no fuss or muss getting those bikes ready.

One last dinner together tonight before we all go our separate ways. Many will return next year for Trans Am 3. I’m undecided at this point, but will probably take a pass. There are other things I want to do and the terrain of TA 3 does not speak to me. It’s been a great trip once again, but I could have done with a lot less wind and a bit more interesting scenery in the last week to 10 days.

Stats for the day:
Hutchinson KS to Wichita KS
75 km. 47 miles.
358 feet up. 508 feet down.
Temp:  14C to 31C. Light rain and fog for the first hour or so. Gradually clearing and became a beautiful day for riding with very little wind.

Total stats for the trip:
West Yellowstone MT to Wichita KS
1879 km.  1167 miles.
40416 feet up.  41694 feet down.
25,095 calories burned.  Still 0 pounds lost; sigh..........

TA 2 - October 1

Well, I decided to try a new experience today.  I chose not to ride my bike at all and rode in the van for the 75 miles from Larned to Hutchinson.  I’m just tired of the wind, which was once again blowing strongly from the south. The forecasted rain did not materialize but hot & humid with those darned crosswinds all day. And while we were on very quiet roads with virtually no truck traffic most of the day, the surface was pretty rough and the shoulder non existent.

We passed through the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge today, saw some cotton plants and some camels in a field (the van didn't stop for a photo). Also saw cattle egrets for the first time. I was mistaken yesterday when I said there weren’t as many oil wells. Seems I just had my head down. We continued to see them today along with some of the agricultural scenery.

We’re in a tired old Super 8 motel tonight. Most of our rooms are downstairs in the dungeon. I came up to the lobby to type this, but the stink of some type of cleaner is so strong that it’s tough to breathe. Guess I’ll go out for a walk for a bit. Hutchinson is a sizeable city of about 40,000 but it looks like we’re in a rather industrial part of town.

Last day is tomorrow. Not sure at this point whether I’ll ride or not.