We woke this morning to the sound of wind, thunder, and rain. It was early, around 5:30. I began checking my weather app to look at the storm map. This would all be over within an hour so we settled in, me with coffee and Nancy with her Chai. Looking out the window I noticed our new touring friends from Germany were huddled under a small shelter so Nancy put on her raincoat and went over to invite them to join us. The four of us sipped our brews and enjoyed peach fritters.
The rain stops and the sun clears the sky so we all prepare to begin our travels. Nancy is leaving for her next campground, we three cyclists are heading to Cassoday, KS.
Today the unrelenting wind was a brutal force. I forced my way though the wind with all the effort of climbing an 18% grade. To get to Cassoday the road was a major truck route so these semi’s also added their force to the wind. There is a wide shoulder so I was not squeezed between a truck and the road’s edge, this was a blessing. But, the traffic was fast and when a truck would pass from behind the wind force would roll my shirt up up to my neckline while tugging me towards the travel lane. Truck passing in the other direction would add to the headwind when pushing the air into me with a quivering shake before the millisecond of stillness before the tail stream began pounding. I could minimize this by tucking in. This was a tiring day!
The headwind shielded the temperature so on the rare occasion I wasn’t riding into the wind I cooked in the once again 100° high of the afternoon. I made it to the campsite behind the Cassoday Country Store before it closed and ordered dinner and drinks. My tent is set and now I will go relax with Matthias and Tilo.
