Cloud Country

Kansas was windy.

The tail wind lasted for maybe 20 miles of Kansas. The entire rest of the 250 miles was full of muffled speech and tilted bikers as we leaned into the wind to stay upright. Wasn't a completely enjoyable time but made everyone a much stronger rider. Colorado couldn't come soon enough.

Tonight we're staying in the fresh air Colorodo town of Rocky Ford. Tomorrow we will be camping out on a ranch in Pueblo and catching views of starlit skies uninterrupted by artificial lights. Colorado springs will end our 9 consecutive days on the bike. I think we're all looking forward to some time off the saddle and some time pumping nails through 2x4's.

"There are no ordinary moments."

Pat

Quentin Williams has family in Oklahoma. They make delicious cookies. I had them once.

Welcome to the dust bowl. I'm writing today from the small town of Grove, Oklahoma. The day started in Arkansas en route to Missouri, and ended in Oklahoma. Since we left Memphis several days ago, we spent 4 great days traveling through Little Rock and portions of the Ozarks. Yesterday should be the last climb until Colorado. It's amazing to see how much everyone has improved physically and mentally as everyone attacked the 1100 foot climb and peaked the top with no more than a drip of sweat off our helmets. We had a build day in Little Rock this past week. Rather than building we were doing some deconstruction. There was a very old post office full of nic nacs and treasures. We were basically combing through to find any items of value that could be resold at the local Habitat ReStore. We were invited to a community day for lunch there. There is an initiative to revive communities through block parties and renovations of houses. It was a great time as myself, Chris, and Grace stumbled upon a moon bounce.

Tomorrow we will be heading into Bartilsville, Oklahoma. I believe we will be having 2 build days there. Excitement has risen as we get ready for our Sadie Hawkins dance tomorrow night. Girls ask the guys, it's always a surprise. Ashley asked me in the greatest way possible. I awoke from a nap to find a tire by my head with stickers spelling out her ask and directions to check in the fridge. In the fridge I found a half gallon of chocolate milk. The chocolate milk was reminiscent of the chocolate milk date we were supposed to have for the past week, but that I kept forgetting to do. The theme of the dance is Pirates. Thrift stores are loving our business right now.

We completed our first 100 mile ride the other day as well. It was one our easiest rides surprisingly. I'm excited to see how the next one pans out.



Take care ya'll










This was our crew for the 103 mile day.

"I'm a straight shooter." -Dave of Memphis

We rolled into Memphis, Tennessee yesterday. We started the state of Tennessee in Gatlinberg about a week ago and find ourselves entering Arkansas tomorrow for a total of 2 states under our belt. A couple of us left Swanee the other day and took an accidental turn off the route and ended up at the bottom of a mountain 2 miles from crossing the Alabama state border. Thanks to the very generous Melinda, we hitched a ride back up the mountain in exchange for helping her unload her truck bed full of 2x4's. I been lacking on posts and pictures. The internet in Tennessee is on strike. To remedy this I'll just post as many pictures in this post as I can. -Roofing in Maryville. Colin's jean cutoffs

-After roofing in Maryville

-Somewhere in Tennessee

-Tennessee plagued me with a week full of flats and chain trouble

-Dunlap, TN. Stayed at the TN National Guard Armory

-Go to the Lemon Fair in Swanee, TN

-Poluski was a town of amazing hosts. Their Bike community washed each and every one of our bikes. Thanks yall

-Early morning ride out of Dunlap. Foggy and had an empty construction road to ride on

- Typical Ride

-Juan Valdez of the Coffee Club at Joe's Restaurant in Bolivar, TN.

Sorry for the terrible formatting. I had some trouble trying to figure it out but this is the best I could get.

Take Care Yall,

Pat