Mood:  energetic

I had such a pleasant time in the Little River area, and enjoyed visiting with my cousins so much, that I hated to leave, but early Monday, at 7 AM it was time to get moving.  I was to end up on Tuesday in Mahatten, Kansas, and the trip would be divided into two parts:  78 miles on Monday, culminating in Herington, KS, and the balance of 44 miles on Tuesday.  78 miles is a bit much, but I had had two days of rest, and the last 20 miles would have a direct tailwind.

I stopped by Kendall Hodgson's farm on the way out to the main highway, and from there, he and his two sons, Tanner and Logan joined me.  They were going to ride for four miles then peel off and head back.  One of their dogs wanted to join us and didn't seem to understand that her company wasn't wanted.  This is the same dog that Logan put through the paces at the 4-H Fair dog obedience session.  It appparently wasn't too obedient then either.  The end result is that 4-5 miles into my morning it was only 8 o'clock, but it was fun riding with Kendall and the kids.

As part of my plan to increase my caloric intake, I had breakfast with Ed before leaving, then stopped and ate breakfast again in McPherson, KS, about 20-22 miles down the road.  Still heading east, I had lunch at Marian, about 35 miles further.  Then I headed north to Herington, with a mild tailwind helping push me along.

Around 4 PM, I arrived at Herington.  The first motel was closed due to remodelling (it looked like it needed it).  There was a bunch of street improvement projects downtown, and lots of detours, but I finally got to another inn, and it was full.  So was the third motel.  Nuts.  There was a camground back five miles, or I could continue north to Junction City, 24  miles away.  It would make this a monster day of 102 miles, but it would be a short jaunt tomorrow.  After loading up with carbs at Pizza Hut, I headed north. 

The terrain was changing again.  I was entering the Flint Hill section of Kansas.  As the name implies, it was hilly.  However, the tailwind, although not particularly strong, was direct enough to help me the entire way.  I did the entire 24 miles in 1 3/4 hours, pretty fast for me, considering the terrain.  After eating four times that day, I was not particularly hungry when I checked in to the motel, but I was very thirsty, and the fact that an A&W Root Beer Stand was next to my motel was the icing on the cake.

Tomorrow's trip to Manhatten was going to be short, but somewhat  experimental.  There was no direct way between Junction City (whoever came up with that name was definitely lacking in creativity) and Manhatten unless one got on I-70.  Bicycles were not allowed on I-70.  So I would have to figure out a way around.

At least I could sleep in.  A more accurate statement is that I would have the ability on Tuesday to sleep late if my body would allow it.  I somehow doubted that it would cooperate.

Will McMahan