FCBA Day 25- Weatherford to Elk City, OK

 

A typical day starts with getting out of bed too early even though I’m chronically late doing so. A quick pack of the bedroll and bag and sprint to the trailer to pack is followed by hasty breakfast of whatever, preferably a Vi-shake, is at hand. We assemble for devotional reading, a prayer, sweep assignment and a rousing “Oyee!”, and then we’re off. Today was a short ride, but the 47 miles were taxing.

It was very cool to start and comfortable all day. Early on was a stretch of roadway with hills that was gravel. I keep at least 120 lbs. pressure in my 23mm tires so they are not suited for those conditions. It was hard going so I decided to take it as fast as possible with hopes that regardless of surface conditions the gyroscopic effect of the wheels would keep me upright. That works for me, apparently.

We followed US Route 66 again, parallel to the I-40 that replaced it back in the late 60’s. This road is intact most places, but the interstate was built over it in part so we had to cross over and under to remain on a westward course. It is a scenic highway and one can’t help but imagine the lives that have followed this route and changed along the way. One common element seems to thread through these adventurers; we are in our own way at some crossroad in our lives. Some in retirement, between jobs, deciding their young lives or whatever, but all searching for something within or without, and I’m not quite sure what I’m looking for. I did find something today that I’ve always had; an answer to a mystery about my Father. All along I’ve had the clues but Alex asked as we were riding, “Mark, tell us a story.” Never to refuse an audience I told a favorite along with another, and suddenly came to a realization. It wouldn’t be relevant to post here, but it’s an answer to a question I wished I had asked him when he was living. If nothing else comes of this trip, that alone seems worthwhile enough for me.

We arrived in Elk City before noon and a group of us wandered about until asking a local where we should eat. Chuck’s is where you have a burger and homemade potato chips hot from the fryer, so there; Elk City’s best kept secret is out.

Team Alex has van cleaning duty so we raised the bar this week. Usually it just entails getting the garbage out but we took the rig down to the car wash and knocked the crud off of it. It looks better, but of course it rained as soon as we finished the windows. This is a dusty place for all the wind so it should be clean for about a day. I proposed we buy those little pine trees to hang around each rider’s neck as they board so as to help with the smell.

Dinner was provided by Scott here at the First Presbyterian Church. An excellent Mexican meal expertly prepared and now I’m ready for a nap, but soon we will be visited by locals for a meet-and-greet during which we will share the story of our mission. Tomorrow will be a 4am wake up for it is rumored to be a 95 mile day to Canadian Texas for the 4^th of July. Locals tell us we are in for a treat, and that Charley Daniels will be performing. I have a video in the works for today, but I’m going to bed and hope to get it tomorrow.

Weatherford to Elk City ride stats.

                                                                 Kert getting his kicks.