Stage 23 - Scott City KS, 118mi (190km)

I had an early breakfast this morning as I was going to ride a double stage of 118mi to Scott City. Surprised by meeting a Swiss couple, Annegret and Martin, it was a delight to stay a bit longer for breakfast, chat and share experiences. They both are west bounders aiming to NYC and I hope to meet up with them again in D.C.

Norma was going to have a rest day, which meant for me riding alone again after a great week getting along with her. I knew, it was going to be a hard ride today as the wind was blowing from South with 25-30mph. However, I made good time to Rush Center, the first 30mi as the route was going North before turning West onto Route 96, which I will be following for at least the next two days. Traffic was lighter than I had expected but included a good number of trucks and oversize loads, mostly agricultural machinery of some sort. 

As I reached Alexander, where my fifth map section ended and my sixth began, I was so grateful to find a vending machine to quench my thirst with a Coke.

Here the route begins its long gradual ascent to the Rockies. The wind was so ferocious that it took all my energy to keep pedaling my higher gears to keep up a reasonable speed.

I reached Ness City partially exhausted and stopped for a cool soda, coffee and a cake. On my bike again, I found the same strong wind as in the in the morning, it was even beginning to strengthen. My intention had been to stay the night at the next town, Dighton, a little over halfway between Ness City and Scott City. However, for some reason Scott City was in my mind and I kept aiming for itl. Then, what a surprise, 12mi after Ness City, suddenly a car was pulling over. It was Norma, having been given a ride by Chris, the guy I met yesterday briefly when I arrived at Larned.

He is an east bounder supporting his brother by car and generously offered Norma a rider to Scott City. This in a sudden broke my focus and concentration, and I could not deny Chris’ offer to mount my bike and join him and Norma for the remaining 40mi to Scott City. Frankly speaking, I wasn’t unhappy even though I would have made it, but this South winds are just a killer! Not far beyond Ness City, I crossed the 100th meridian. This is the notional boundary line to the west of which rainfall is insufficient to grow wheat or corn (maize). It marks the start of the semi-arid high plains. As today wore on, the number of trees in the landscape reduced. I saw my first tumbleweed. I am very pleased to be in Scott City and I am eager to cross the state line of Colorado by tomorrow.