Wednesday, June 14, 2006 – Left Clearwater around 6:00 and arrived in Burden a little after noon. The total was 58.47 miles, 5:03:56 ride time, and an 11.5 average.

The day started cool, with a very mild wind, and the early-going was very easy and fast over flat farm country. Lunch was at Udall, after which the route turned south into a stiff wind. The southerly with was active the rest of the way, though thankfully the route turned east and then north, though the terrain became hillier.

I arrived in Burden just in time to help unload the last of the bags from the trucks. This time I got a prime tent site on the east side of the school building. It was in sun as I set up, but was in shade by the time I settled in for an afternoon nap.

Burden, like Clearwater, offered BAK a fine welcome, with a blocked off main street, a free swimming pool, and live music. It’s a smaller town, so it didn’t offer quite as many choices for food and entertainment. But, they did offer a beer garden at the city park!

The knee was still barking at me today, but was kept in check with pills, and didn’t affect me too much. My leg fatigue was still present. Even though this was a short day, I was pretty beat by the end. Tomorrow’s longer, and the wind is supposed to pick up again.

Crossing the Arkansas River
Crossing the Arkansas River