I knew today was going to be a long, hard day. Fifty-eight miles from campground to campground. I was encouraged by the gravel in Kansas. I was making good time, almost as fast as on pavement. I slept last night in the hammock, so packing up was quick. I was ready to leave by 7 a.m. I made plans with Kenny last night to meet him for breakfast and coffee.
The breakfast stop is on my route. I could also get road food. There are zero, ZERO, places to get food or water until the campground.
I left with full water bottles, a corn beef sandwich, and snack food. The first half I was still riding on Kansas gravel.
I stopped at the Oklahoma border and ate half the sandwich and a Kenny-supplied pie.
Soon after entering Oklahoma, with thirty miles to go, the gravel began to worsen, and there were now hills. Not steep, still big ring climbs.
With fourteen miles to go, I turned onto another road. Five miles south, then five miles west. On this particular road, a car approached and slowed. The man yelled, “Mud ahead.” I didn’t quite understand the meaning of this warning. I rode a bit farther and went down a hill. At the bottom, I saw red mud and deep ruts. I knew that I would need to push the bike. I sunk in two inches; the loaded bike sunk in four. This lasted a good half mile. Mud stuck everywhere, making it almost impossible to push the bike. Mud built up between the tires and fenders, cakes of red mud gumming up the cassette. The chain was wrapped in mud.
I finally got through the worst of it. I could barely push the bike. I heard a lawn mower up ahead. I got to a driveway with a closed gate. I saw a man watching me by the lawn mower. I waved and yelled, “I need help”! He yelled back that he doesn’t let anyone past the gate. I pleaded that I needed a garden hose to get the mud removed so I could continue riding. He opened the gate. I pushed the bike to him. I took fifteen minutes to hose all the mud off the bike. He hosed me off also. I was covered up to my shorts. My mind was elsewhere, no photos. Once cleaned, he filled my water bottles. He told me it was even worse up ahead and directed me to Route 10, a paved road. This added extra miles. I’m riding now in scorching heat. I get back to my route in Copan. I Google the campground. I get to the entrance where there is a bait shop across the road. I stop. I stagger in and buy two Dr. Peppers and two Gatorades. I drink the Gatorade and bring the Peppers to my campsite.
I shower and wash my clothes in the shower. I set up the hammock and cook dinner.
I’m ready for sleep.