Mesa Spring Spin
The high Plains Drafters held the Mesa Spring Spin on the weekend of April 24. Twenty
three riders participated in the ride and a grand time was had by all. The country was
beautiful with many hills. Rain Sunday concluded the ride early but it was such a success
that planers will make it an annual event.
Wicked Wind 100
The Wicked Wind lived up to it's name once again this year. Mom, Sue, Dwayne (Sue's
son), and I, left Lake Afton along with 800 other cyclists right on the gun at 8:00 a.m.
(The gun was a canon provided by the Kansas Army National Guard). We rode a rectangular
course that was mercifully laid out mostly east-west. At the start of the ride, the
wind was from the south at about 13 mph, and the temperature was a pleasant 70 deg., but
the humidity was 77 percent. By 9:00 a.m. though, the wind was blowing 15-20 and
gusting. At 10:00, the wind was blowing at 20 to 25 with 30 to 35 mph gusts, and the
temperature was 80deg. The tailwind section of the 50 mile course was great, but both
crosswind sections proved to be grueling. The headwind section was a killer as I was
running about 7 mph while laid out flat on my Aro Bars, and running at max heart rate.
Bill caught up with us at the half way point and rode on with us the rest of the way. Mom
finally called it quits at the 38 mile mark, but the rest of us managed to crawl in to the
finish at about 12:30.
Many remarks were made by riders new to the WW 100 about how they could understand why it
was part of the Kansas Survival series. "It was an accomplishment just to
survive!"
Tour Of The Wichitas
This was a great ride. The support was excellent and the scenery was wonderful.
The folks in Lawton were terrific.
The day for me started at 5:30 am as I sleepily crawled from my bed at the Holiday Inn.
The ride started only a mile from there, so I packed, and rode over to the start. It
looked like there were several hundred rides participating and everyone (except me. I am
NOT a morning person) seemed ready for a good time. The weather was forecast to be sunny
and windy, with a high around......... 108!!!!! Well, anyway, surely we would be
done way before it got that hot.
We took off at 7:30 and rode through town with the aid of the local police. Once out on
the road, each corner we needed to turn on, or where we could possible turn wrong, had a
Marine, Soldier, or Collage student, with a flag to show us the way. We rode through
Fort Sill and out into the Mountains. The road was good, and I had the since that I was in
the mountains in Colorado from the trees and small cabins along the way.
We made it to a lake North West of town and circled it, then on to a Wildlife Refuge where
I saw, and rode next to, Buffalo. (Open Range) The route so far had been almost due North
so we didn't notice the wind building. As we turned into the Refuge we started south and
were greeted with a 35 mph head wind, plus, we were faced with rolling hills and a 11:00
temp of 100 deg.
I was starting to become a hurting unit. My hydration system was keeping my water nice and
cool so I drank a lot, and I was pouring water from my frame bottles over my head and down
my back to try and stay in the saddle. All I could do was put my head down, drop to my aro
bars, and peddle.
I reached the next to the last Sag stop and was greeted by a group of Angels. These young
ladies would meet you at the side of the road with a big pitcher of Ice water and some
fruit. They would let you fill your hydration system with ice, and would even let you pour
a little cold water on your head. They did everything possible to aid us in our quest.
This was perhaps the best Sag stop I have ever been to. I would like to thank them for
doing such an Outstanding job.
From there, the next 20 miles are just a blur of stop and go riding , and searing heat.
The heat coming off the asphalt was over heating my feet and making them burn, and each
peddle stroke seemed to take forever to complete. I finished the 54 miles in 4 hours, and
I was very happy to see the finish line. I had drank 130 oz of water and Gatorade by the
end, and still felt dehydrated. The after ride cold shower sure felt good. I had a
Grand time despite it all and highly recommend this ride.
Walnut Valley Century
Once again the organizers of this ride did an excellent job and the scenery was very
nice. About 25 riders gathered at the Winfield High School at 8:00 am for the ride. We had
a light wind, and warm temperatures. Sue, and her son Dwayne, Bill, and I, set out for a
nice ride. The lovely and ever gracious Mary SAGed for us and we offer her many thanks.
The course was over gently rolling, to, in some spots, steep hills. When we came to the 35 mile ride turn we bid goodbye to Sue and Dwayne, and Bill and I proceeded on the 65 mile leg. The wind continued to build, but leveled off at about 10-15 mph, but the temp, kept climbing until we were laboring along under a bright Sun, and 92 deg. temps.Lunch at the old school was once again a very welcome treat, and was delicious as usual. The whole day Bill and I swapped stories from the other Walnut rides, and this one was just as good we felt.
This is an excellent ride for those who want beautiful scenery, good company, and a challenging coarse. Put it on your calendar for next year.