Birthday and Reunion Day

Happy birthday, Mike!!

Day Four: Holdrege/Hildreth to Lawrence, Nebraska
67 miles...5 hours 45 minutes in the saddle

Today we biked through some tar. We had the misfortune to arrive just as they were putting down oil and gravel in between Wilcox and Hildreth. This meant plowing ahead though bits of oily gravel were flying up, getting caught in between the tire and the fender, and then spitting out. I was very gravely by the end...sandals filled and body speckled with sticky dark bits mired in suntan lotion and sweat. Lovely, eh?(Pre-tar)

After that it got better, though it was still hot as all get out. At nearly 7 p.m., it was still 90 degrees. But we've had nice roads today...we got off highway 6, which was getting kind of busy with trucks and such, and struck out on highway 4, still a high speed limit but MUCH less busy. Hardly any cars. Here are some sights from the road: Lots o' soybeans.

What we did have were some hills.

You may recall Bob and Noelle had spent the night in Hildreth last night...or actually, I wasn't sure if they'd gone on or not, but it turned out they'd stayed in Hildreth...so I was eager for the group to reunite, especially since today was Ohio Mike's birthday! So I was glad we all headed down to route 4 to try and catch up...but catching up when you're on a bike, riding throug headwinds and hills, is easier said than done. It basically took all day...and each time we arrived in a town, it turned out Bob and Noelle had been there a few hours before.

A little polka action.

New hairdo for Jim.

But we finally met up in Lawrence, where we are all overnighting. Finally! Our presence here bumps the population of Lawrence from 312 to 322. We're headed for the park momentarily to camp, and the gal here at Dick's Place has been kind enough to call the guy in charge of the park and ask him to open up the bathroom. No shower, but at least a bathroom and a sink...that's pretty good!

We hear it's pretty hilly from here on out, and Ragbrai also promises to be hilly (this year's route is in the top 10 for feet of climbing out of the nearly 40 years of Ragbrai). Today was a little preview of this, especially the last miles to Lawrence, and I am plumb tuckered out. I'm glad we're staying here.

To finish up, here are a few photos of today's featured rig, Tricky Al's: Notice his fine shock absorbing handlebar stem, cell phone mount, and stereo speakers. Al also has a front wheel alternator that charges the batteries that run the stereo and the lights, and can also charge his cell phone.
Also of interest are Al's hydraulic brakes. Instead of cables, the brakes operate using mineral oil that runs through little plastic pipes down to the calipers. These brakes are so reliable Al has not had to adjust them in 3,000 miles.

On the back, Al has the usual touring equipment...a cooler, chair, and clothing and goodies for the trip. Al's thermarest cover is handmade, which was no easy feat considering he had to sew a round bottom onto a tube.

Last year, Al hauled a solar panel back there, which powered his stereo and lights, but this, combined with the front hub, turned out to be more energy than he needed. The front hub alternator is doing the trick this year.

Well, I'm out of batteries and way behind now, so I'd better get going. More whenever I can get the chance.