June 27-28th - Pittsburg, KS to Chanute, KS to Cassoday, KS

Mileage: 60 miles, 100 miles
Terrain: Flat
Temperature: 95 degrees
So woke up and found out that the winds were coming from the east until about noon so got on the road and sailed to our first rest stop. Didn’t stay there long as we wanted to take advantage of the tailwinds and we were making really good time! The day went really fast as far as ridding and we made it to Chanute by 12:30. There were some people there who had made us lunch. Tacos mmmmmmmm. So we rode about a mile down from the park we were staying at and had lunch. We then were in dire need of doing laundry so we road about another mile or so to the Laundromat where we washed our clothes. By this time we were thinking a milkshake was sounding quite tasty so we stopped by the sonic on our way to Wal-Mart which was on our way to the park. I got some bread and apples for at rest stops and then we headed to the park. I got a shower, made some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches which I sometimes eat for breakfast and lunch and then got a shower. Then rode my bike back down to where we had lunch as they had also made hot dogs for us for dinner. By this time is was getting late so I headed back to camp and was in bed at 8:00 pm as I needed to catch up on my sleep. I slept very well!!
Woke up this morning and knew that we had one hundred miles to ride. Wasn’t too concerned because it was going to be flat!! So Kansas being flat. I am still convinced that riding around Columbus, Ohio it is flatter not that Kansas isn’t flat. Kansas is flat however, there are some slight gradual inclines and declines. We will see what it turns out like as we get further into the state. So this morning was informed that there were 10 to 15 mph headwinds from the east!! I was soo grateful as fighting headwinds all day would have gotten very old. We were told that it was fine to take our time as there was nothing to do in the town that we are staying in, Cassoday, and that the only thing here is a pit AKA whole in the ground for a restroom. That means no showers also. So that we did, we took our time. We went to McDonalds for breakfast where I had a delicious orange juice and then began riding for the day. About 15 miles out one of the girls I was riding with was like um I think I am getting a flat, so we pulled over and yep, her tire was flat. We got the tools out and started changing it as the mini van one of our support vehicles stopped asked if we were okay we said yep and she kept going. Were still changing the flat when the van and trailer drove by and we waved them on. Well finally we got a new tube and the same tire on the rim and pumped up and it looked funny, the tires bead was not catching on the rim and it was raised up off of the rim. The tired wasn’t even completely inflated. So as we were contemplating what to do two of the guys in our group rode up and we decided that we should stop them and ask them what to do. So one of them had the great idea to take the tire off again and move the spot where it was raising up to a different part of the wheel as it was right by the presta valve so we did. And it still didn’t solve the problem, the tire was still rising off of the rim. So we decided that maybe if she just rode really slow that we could get to the first rest stop so rode not even a half a mile and it was thumping and the spot where the tire was raised off of the rim was starting to bulge. So we had to call the van and they had to bring us a new tire. Waited along the road for awhile until the van came and then changed the tire and rode on. We were rather behind and were very thankful for the tailwinds as otherwise it would have been a very long day. Missed the first rest stop however, stopped at a small carry out/ restaurant had some lunch and then moved on and made the second rest stop about 45 miles out. Stopped there, socialized with everyone, had some ice cream and kept on riding. Rode about 30 more easy miles and stopped in a small town where there was a very small restaurant had a small bite to eat, charged our phones and decided to make the part of our ride. Saw many cattle along the ride. Finally, came into Cassoday at about 7 pm sat around and then decided to make the journey over to the gas station next door where they were kind enough to let us use their hose as a shower. Rinsed off and now I am lying in my tent getting very sleepy. I hear a train blowing its horn and think to myself OMG, please don’t go through the night!! Three of the riders in our group did decided to take advantage of the tailwinds today and head on to the next town which is about 38 miles away and got a hotel room. Needless to say, I might be a little jealous of them!! I am sure they would have gone further however, I saw on the map that after the next town it says 58 miles no services so there would have been no where for them to stay and no water stops for them as well as these will be very important for us to make tomorrow as today there were some places along route for us to stop and fill up on water. Well that concludes my day! Nite!