FCBA Day 28- Liberal to Lakin KS

Landon and I left a half hour after the pack and left Liberal heading northward with a following wind and maintained 30 mph for the first 12 miles. Unfortunately we were only supposed to go 9 miles and turn to head west. That meant that we had to turn around and beat back, upwind 3 miles. The next 16 miles were against a SSW wind. Landon kept the pace around 18 mph; in a wind like that drafting is done on the lee side of the faster rider, slightly back.

The rest of the ride headed northward again, and most of the group rode together for a while after the 40 mile mark before spreading at various across the prairie. This is part of the country that when you fly over you see large circular fields of crops. In the corner of the field is a pump feeding a mechanized irrigation rig that pivots from the center. We passed miles of these and a couple feed lots along the way. When we arrived in Lakin around 1pm the temperature was 97 and climbing. It got over 100 but the humidity is low; a “dry heat” as they say. I would suspect dying of a dry heat is a bit more subtle than what I’m used to in Florida. I’ve found if I’m not running with sweat I’m more comfortable so I’m less likely to drink enough water. Our first week of riding we were accompanied by Scott Harrison who drilled it into us to hydrate properly, so much so that the expression “Scott up!” is sounded by a rider in a pace line to remind the others to drink.

We showered in public showers at a park a few miles east of town. My phone read 110 degrees in the shade at 3pm. I hand wash my clothes when I shower, and they were soaking wet immediately afterward but were well on their way to being dry by the time two more finished their showers. The town seems deserted, though is freshly painted and seems to thrive at other times. They are having a rodeo and fair here in a week. We’ll be gone tomorrow morning at 6:30 with 70+ miles that I’m afraid will be tough if anything like our westward travels today, for it is all westward into Colorado. I got a good night’s sleep last night but am getting pretty tired for we haven’t had a day off since last Sunday, riding since Tuesday, and all above average mileage. I need more sleep, and a massage. Sleep for now.