Ben called home last night. I guess it's about time I spoke with him, given that it's been four weeks since he and Art started riding. Sounds like he's doing just fine and confident that they will make it all the way across the country. Being the numbers guy, Ben tracks the daily mileage. He figures that they've got about 2000 miles to go and thinks that they have ridden 1800 miles so far. Provided that the weather holds and the head winds don't impede their progress, they should be able to pick up the pace now. If they average 80 miles per day, they will reach the east coast in four weeks.
The remaining route is relatively flat and runs due east in contrast to the mountainous terrain with roads that had some north-south stretches in the western states. It looks like their route will take them through KS, MO, a bit of IL, KY, and VA. A big thank you to those who have offered to host our boys as they pass through your part of the country. I'm sure you understand that unless you are right on their route, they won't be able to swing by for a visit.
Ben was calling from Eads. This is their final overnight in CO. Goodbye massive Rockies. The landscape of eastern CO has turned into open prairie. Yes, Toto, they will soon be on the great plains of your state!
So far, they've managed to avoid much rain. After their extra day in Salida, they took a short ride 49-mile ride to Westcliffe where they stayed in the second cheapest motel along their journey so far -- $42 including tax for a subterranean room at the Antler Inn. They ate dinner at the bowling alley because it was the only place in town with veggie burgers. That night it poured rain but the weather cleared by the next day. Lucky for them. Another night's lodging would have been difficult to find since that day was the start of the Westcliffe Bluegrass Festival!
From Westcliffe, they rode 110 miles to Ordway. It had been mostly downhill since Salida and temperatures were still mild, so while it was a long distance, it was a fairly easy ride. At midday, they stopped in Pueblo. There they met another cyclist, Doug Stetson, who was making his way west and had lots of advice. Doug gave Art the name of several private residences along their route that were known to take in cyclists. Art jotted down directions and they took advantage of their first bicycle-friendly home in Ordway.
Jillian is a native of New Zealand who offers free overnight lodging to cyclists. When Art and Ben arrived at her house, there was a note: "Bikers -- Please remove your shoes before entering. I will be home from work later this evening." Apparently, Jillian works at one of the two prisons in town. Mike, another cyclist, was already at the house. Art and Ben took the master bedroom. Jillian's house offered many amenities including hot showers, a kitchen, laundry facilities, a phone, and Internet access.
The next morning, they took time to check out the animals on the farm around the house. Ben rode one of the horses bareback. Because they were having a good time on the farm, they got a late start on Friday the Thirteenth and left at 10 a.m., arriving in Eads by 3:15 p.m. Ordway to Eads is only 61 miles but Ben experienced some cramping in his calves, so it was good to take a short ride.
Ben thinks that neither he nor Art has lost any weight. Some had said that transcontinental riders can expect to lose 20 lbs over the course of the trip. For Art, that might be okay. But if Ben dropped to 110 lbs on his 5'10" frame, he would look downright emaciated!
I'm not sure when the next photo upload will be. While Ben's been a great sport by posing for shots, I've asked him to take a few photos with Art in them. He said that he'll try to remember. We received a package from them in the mail yesterday. They were thoughtful enough to send me all of the VISA card receipts, their cold weather clothing, and Ben's book of Shakespeare plays that he bought in Cedar City. In previous phone conversations, Art was convinced that the key to riding fast was traveling light!
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