Gained about 800 feet today over the 75 miles as I slowly climb through the high plains towards Denver, which I was shocked to find is at 6000 feet. Woodward (here) is about 1900 feet. Although the climb is obviously very gentle you can feel it, every rolling hill is a little higher up than the last one, and as the whole landscape is tilted a little it's almost impossible to tell by eye if you are climbing, flat or descending. Times when I thought I was on the flat with a descent coming up by eye were actually climbing slightly with a flat bit coming up. Bit weird.
It's so beautiful out here though, you really get a feel for the immensity of the country and the plains, looking to my right I know that the plains go all the way to canada, forwards they go to the rockies, and behind me and to my left they slope gently down in a series of gentle steps to the gulf of mexico.
It was good to have a tailwind today, in the morning I had to ride under a threatening looking region of cloud, like a dark lid, and I got all my rain gear ready, but i got through it without anything more than a strong cross wind, then the sun came out, the birds started singing, and i had a beautiful ride across the plains.
Oh yeah, for Junior, Meddler and anyone else who has seen 'Into the Wild', you can imagine how i felt when i saw this:
Bert and James are getting ready to come out, it feels great to see the planning emails flying around between us, I'm really excited about it. I think I'll head to colorado springs and hire a car to pick bertie up, drive to boulder and ditch it there ready for the final leg. James will be our support vehicle for the first week, I'm really looking forwards to riding light for a little while.
After that I'll be trying to talk my pa into flying out and driving a support RV for us to vancouver.
Right then, chillage and chow coming up.
6 comments:
Interestingly I've now moved from severe storm and tornado warnings to wildfire warnings!
Shit Kelv - you are in Woodward and a day ahead of me - I obviously can't keep up with your onwards and upwards progress. 13 miles up the road in the morning is Fort Supply - so here's the (redundant) stuff wot i wote erlier.
Excellent post Kelv - here's some random observations...
1. I've never had so much trouble cycling as I've had in Rural Wales. I Youth Hosteled around the entire principality for 2 weeks at about 15 years old. My weapon of choice was my pump - the kind which was the full length of the downtube, with a meaty metal Campagnolo adapter at the end. Very useful when used with skill - especially as it it was so accessible and telescopic! I expect you have a teensy dual-action mini-pump, or even canisters, which don't quite fit the bill as an anti-canine weapon.
2. Where were you when ... For me it was Lennon's shooting. I think I can vaguely remember Kennedy's assassination, but come to think of it I was only 5, so have maybe fabricated this memory from subsequent affairs. But Lennon death shocked me, and I so wish he (and Marley, for that matter) was still around.
3. Oklahoma - you must be aware that every state has a sort of nickname, often referring to local Flora and Fauna. Oklahoma's is the "Sooner State". When these Indian Territories were opened up to settlers in 1889, there was a rush to occupy the land, and those who jumped the gun were known as "Sooners" Apparently the name is worn with pride these days, but it still seems an odd thing to celebrate to me.
4. Pointless trivia - and I'm sure you will know the answer! The Oklahoma State Seal has 5 emblems within each point of a 5-pointed star. Each represents one of the 'five civilised tribes" Which tribe does not begin with a "C", where were they from and how did they get here?
Apologies for the triv, Kelv - I'll get serious now - oh no, not another...
HISTORY LESSON!
Looking at your route, you may choose to head towards the Boiling Springs State Park, just NNE of Woodward. Seems idyllic. Then again, the Fort Supply area NW of Woodward seems intriguing - not least because, in a town of just over 300, there are 2 shooting ranges, one public and one maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The Army also maintain the primitive camping facilities at Fort Supply Lake - there are showers and toilets, and apparently food is available in Fort Supply.
Formerly Camp Supply, General Sheridan set up camp here to campaign against the Southern Plains Indians. Later Custer and his Seventh U.S. Cavalry used it as a base to strike south and defeat Black Kettle in the Battle of Wishita. Not a pretty affair by all accounts.
Some of Black Kettle's contemporaries at this time were Big Man, Wolf Looking Back, Clown, Cranky Man, Scabby Man, Half Leg, Bear Tongue, and Roll Down. I'll be restless all night now attributing those names to my present friends!
Once Fort Supply had served it's purpose, the old buildings became Oklahoma's first insane asylum, and a 'correctional facility' was also opened on the site.
This sounds like my sort of town...
A lazy post tonight, must try harder - ride on Kelv - you are but 250 miles from the next Time Zone.
Good stuff Mr. Cooch.
The kindness people show me continues to astonish me. Having an excellent burger in K-Bob's Steakhouse next door, Tina the waitress, who is into biking, tells me I woulda been welcome to stay with her and her husband if I didn't already have a motel. Instead I'll be calling in to their place to top up my water bottles as I head out towards Beaver to stay with Kathy the Motel Manageress' folks.
Thanks guys!
I’m in danger of repeating myself here (something you’re not likely to do with each day bringing a new horizon and challenge) – but what the hell………..2 more eloquent and graphic entries in “Only Forward....” so descriptive we’re living it with you ( lot of ooh’s & ah’s from Alf and the observation “.. he’s good isn’t he?” )
Yep, I reckon :-)
Cheers from Tyn y Sarn
Hi Kelv,
No History Lesson tonight - I can almost hear the collective sigh of relief - but route thoughts. The thought being - how the hell do get to Denver from here?
For several hundred miles the road pattern is now the rectilinear pattern, N-S & E-W, carved out of the landscape a hundred years ago, at regular intervals, in an attempt to conquer, colonise and tame it. Very little breaks this pattern, and the only ones that do are no use to you, as they head SW-NE through Kansas, rather than your ideal SE-NW.
I reckon Oklahoma City to Denver is about 420 miles as the crow flies. Mapquest gives a driving distance of 660-680 miles, using Highways. I guess you will be lucky to clock it less than 700 miles.
I reckon you may have been heading vaguely towards Liberal, Kansas. If you are North of the Beaver, you may be in Rosston, Gate or Knowles. If you are South of the Beaver, you could be in Clear Lake or Slap Out (seriously!)
All of SE Colorado south of Interstate 70 and east of Interstate 25 is sparsely populated. On my road atlas there are some State roads with up to 63 miles between settlements.
Take a long look at your maps, 'coz I've been looking at it for ages and can't find a solution.
Three ideas then.
1. From Liberal head west almost to the Colorado border. Then take State highway 27 for miles and miles North. There are towns every 30-35 miles, only 1-2,000 people but better than nothing (Richfield, Johnson, Syracuse, Tribune) At Sharon Springs head West on the US Highway 40 towards Limon. Possible stops at Cheyenne Wells (population 1,100, a 34 mile ride from Sharon Springs) and Hugo (Population 900, a 72 mile ride from Cheyenne Wells) then use the State highway 86 to Castle Rock 20 miles South of Denver. Estimate to Denver 380 miles from Liberal. Good points - Looks like a direct and easy run in to Denver, if there is such a thing. Plenty of Mountains to come later! Not too many isolated sections, at most 37 miles between Limon and Kiowa .
2. If you prefer some semblance of civilisation, US highway 50 in SE Colorado has larger towns - Lamar (9,000), La Junta (8,000) and Rocky Ford (4,500). Route as above, but on State Highway 27 in Kansas turn west at Syracuse onto US Highway 50. The only snag is that this will eventually take you into Pueblo, and the route North to Denver, avoiding Interstate 25, could be tough going. Cross Interstate 25 at Pueblo, and at Penrose take the State Highway 115 to Colorado Springs. Find State Highway 83 North of here to Denver. Estimate to Denver 430 miles from Liberal. Good points - follows the Arkansas River from Syracuse to Pueblo. Should be prettier and not so isolated, at most 30 miles from Penrose to Colorado Springs. But may be a tough run-in North to Denver.
3. As above, but this time from State Highway 27 in Kansas take the State Highway 96 West from Tribune. Possible stops from there at Eads (population 800, ride of 56 miles from Tribune), Ordway (population 1,300, 61 mile ride from Eads), then its about 50 miles to Pueblo. Estimate to Denver 460 miles from Liberal. Good points - so you're the loner from Powys? This is for you. Plenty of open space and one horse towns. Charge your batteries and fill your water bottles.
Have a look and tell me what you think. It warrants a bit of thought as the distances are not bike-friendly, IMHO.
But hey-ho, mountains on the horizon!
Cooch
Book your flight and get in on the action Coochie Baby! :) We need your route/history digests on tap in person ;)
Post a Comment