If you didn't set a personal record for a long distance ride today, you really weren't trying. With a decent tail wind, a 1,000' drop in elevation and a strong group of riders in a paceline, we blew through the Texas Panhandle on a 180 mile roll today in a little over 9 hours, including lunch and a few more breaks. Our average speed was 22 mph. We finished the first 100 miles in 4:45, including 2 rest stops. We even had a 20 mile section of head wind at the end of the ride to bring us back to a little bit of reality as we crossed into Oklahoma, finishing in Sayre, near the western border.
Our paceline group
We started with six riders, then four of us rode the last 100 miles together. A couple of days ago I was grumbling on this blog about how pacelines didn't work if there were too many riders or if the group couldn't settle in and work together. Today it was perfect - everyone kept up a good pace, did their turn at the front and looked out for each other. It was a very good day.
Tomorrow we travel 206 miles to Ada, Oklahoma. If you have been watching the news you have heard about the terrible tornado touchdowns in the state over the past two days. Right now the forecast is 50/50 for severe thunderstorms so we will be watching the weather closely. We will be prepared with rain coats and will keep an eye on where we could go if things get nasty. I'm sure the tour operators (PACTour) will have some plans too.
Steve Reed, Will Oberton, Rob, Clay Griffin at the finish.
Note the McDonald's in the background where we headed to for a post-ride smoothie
We are glad you had a great day. All of you will go home with wonderful tans! Yes, we are aware of the weather and where you are headed tomorrow. We keep you all in our prayers for safe passage. Thanks, Rob, for wearing for the same jerseys--that makes our job of finding you much easier! Keep up the spinning-wish we were pedaling up here but it is storming again... Bob and Lisa
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