RecumBum

Thursday, June 12, 2008 – 73.27 miles, 05:09:52, 14.19 MPH average

Last night was a bit rough, but we got through it.

At the nightly meeting, we learned that there was a tornado warning for the area, and BAK officials were recommending that tenters pack up their gear and come inside. By this time it was already raining, so we decided to ride out the storm outside. We figured that since we were near the main entrance to the school, if things got really bad and the sirens went off, we could high-tail it inside then. I packed up all my gear (except for the tent, pad, and sleeping bag) for a quick get-away, but it never came to that.

Foolish decision? Perhaps, but it turned out well.

We did get some wind and rain during the night, and awoke at 5:30am to wet tents and bikes, but the tents did their job, and kept us and our gear dry.

After packing up the went tents, we breakfasted at the Casey’s store on the highway, then headed out into a cool, cloudy, and nearly calm morning.

Heading East into the Morning

The route took us due east on 36 all the way to Sabetha, and with the light breeze and cool temperatures, it was, despite the 73 miles, an easy day, at least compared to the previous ride.

The first SAG was located at the intersection with KS-48, the turn-off to Hanover. My mom was born in Hanover, and I’d been contemplating a short detail to visit her old hometown. But with many miles yet to be ridden, I kept to the straight and narrow, but not before viewing the historical marker and sign for the Hollenberg Pony Express Station.

Hollenberg Pony Express Station Historical Marker

The next stop was in Marysville, where there was another Pony Express monument, as well as a museum we didn’t take the time to visit.

Pony Express Rider

During the first segment of the day’s ride, my chain started making a lot of noise, and examining it closer, I fund a lot of rust had already formed along the entire length of the chain.

In Marysville, we found an Orscheln’s farm store. Now, normally this wouldn’t be the place to look for bicycle chain lube, but it so happens that the lube I was using, Gunk Liquid Wrench Industrial Chain Lube, was available at farm-supply stores. And indeed, Orscheln’s had it in stock, so I bought a can and some rags, and we proceeded to re-lube the chain.

After we got back on the road, the chain was still squeaking a bit, but the noise disappeared after awhile, as the lube worked its way into the chain innards. Crisis averted.

The next stop was on western edge of Seneca, where we enjoyed a slice of pie and homemade ice cream before hitting Seneca proper and taking lunch at an Italian restaurant, where there was a fine buffet offered to BAK riders at a special discount price.

The traffic on US-36 definitely picked up today, with a lot of bug trucks, a few passing rather aggressively. The shoulder kinds of went to pot, too. In places it was wide, but covered with loose gravel, plus deep rumble strips. In other places the shoulder was thin, but of inconsistent quality, sometimes smooth and clean, other times broken and rough.

By the time we reached Sabetha, I was happy to be off US-36, as it was becoming a tense and uncomfortable place to ride.

Entertainment in Sabetha

Sabetha really welcomed BAK, closing off a couple blocks of their downtown and offering food and entertainment. After putting up the tents and showering, I re-lubed my chain, then Reed and I continued our beer tour. As he continued drinking, I explored the downtown before heading back to camp. I wanted to make some phone calls, but the signal was so weak that each call I made was cut off mid-conversation. Very frustrating.

But still, after the tough conditions on Wednesday, today was pretty easy, even with the 73 miles and increased traffic. The lack of wind made all the difference in the world.