Sometimes I get lost...

Day 30: Hutchingson, KS

Hello from Hutchingson, Kansas! Today’s ride was a quiet one as Alex and I got lost about 50 miles into it. We actually just ended up taking a different route after missing a turn but what’s a day without a little adventure?!

We were awoken early this morning by the sound of rain. It was nice out when we headed to bed last night so many left their belongings outside scattered about the area of the park where we had set up camp. Sometime amid the early morning darkness the rain began to fall. Alex, Nick and a few others were sleeping in the small gazebo in the center of the park and worked their way into tents while Anish, Andrew, a few others and I tried to gather our teammate’s belongings and throw them into the van to protect them from the rain. As it was still dark out it was impossible to see if we had gotten everything however we did the best we could. Andrew then climbed into the van to sleep while the rest of us headed back to our tents.

When we awoke again it was still early, but daylight had broken and we were greeted by cold damp air to start the day. We rolled up our wet tents, packed our stuff, consumed a few sandwiches for breakfast and hit the road to begin the day.

About five miles out of Cassoday we passed some rather stranger looking clouds where a warm front was passing over a cold front. Being in a rather remote area at this point I was just glad they were not twister clouds – as we all know what they are and the destruction they can do.

After passing through the town of Newton, Kansas where we had our second water stop of the day, Alex and I got separated from the group we were riding with when two passing cyclist flagged us down to ask about our ride. After talking with them for about 15 minutes we continued on and ended up missing our turn as it was mislabeled. After having ridden awhile and not seeing the road we thought we were looking for we stopped to ask a man who was outside mowing his lawn. He told us to continue on for about two miles and we would find the road we were looking for. Two miles later we realized we had gotten incorrect information and flagged down an older couple who told us that we had actually gone around Heston (the town where we were suppose to meet the team for lunch). They advised us to go to Buhler which was the next town as we would be backtracking if we went on to Heston. At that time Anish called to see where we were and if we were alright as everyone else had reached Heston. We confirmed that we were a bit lost and hungry but that we would survive on the Pop-Tarts I had in my back pocket until we reached Buhler and eat there.

Twenty miles later we arrived in Buhler where we met Anish and the support van for water. After filling our bottles Alex and I went and ate at a small café/coffee shop/deli called The Mustard Seed. I had a half of a chicken sandwich with cheese, pickle and a bowl of pasta salad. The food was good however it was rather pricey, we also split a berry tea smoothe which was also very good.

After finishing our food we headed toward Hutchingson to meet up with the rest of the team at the Library. Along the way we kept ourselves entertained by adding to my list of “You know you’re a member of the Illini 4000 when…” - at some point I hope to type it all up and post it. When we reached the Library the rest of the team was already there and had set up tables out front to try and find people to talk with about the portrait project. As we wrapped up at the Library I checked my email and purchased the book Seabiscuit for .50 cents before heading to the church to unload our stuff and get ready for dinner.

I must say tonight’s dinner was one of the best we’ve had in awhile as we ate at Cici’s Pizza where it was all you could eat Salad/Pizza/Dessert bar and we all ate very well for just $5.00 apiece. I decided to ride to dinner in the van (it cost us .50 cents to ride in the van) and was glad I did as we left the place stuffed! On our way back to the church we stopped at the store and bought groceries for the next few days as we will be in rather remote locations. I also bought a Reeses Fastbreak bar for the morning as the extra sugar seems to help give me a boost to start the day. Mark had rented The Big Lebowski and some of the team watched it while others including myself headed to bed.