Blown Away on the 600K

I went up to Kansas City, KS, with Dan Pfaff to ride the 600K on May 22. We got blown out by the wind. The heat did not help either, although it only seemed hot because it has been so cool. The first 100K went well except that Dan got a slow flat before Wellsville. He pumped it up several times and fixed it in Wellsville. The tire was slit, so we put a boot in it. The 2nd 100K out of Ottawa was into and across a 25 mph wind with 35 mph gusts. We had to ride near the middle of the road to not get blown off the road by the crosswind. I got to the Emporia control 30 minutes before the close and realized I would have to ride the remaining 400K without stopping to sleep. I was exhausted. There was a tailwind out of Emporia, but it would be headwind on the way back. The wind was predicted to blow pretty strong all night. I decided to get a motel room in Emporia. Dan went on but turned back in Council Grove when he realized he also could not make the time limits if he stopped to sleep. He got back to Emporia about 1:00. We rode the 200K back on Sunday, so I got in two good training rides.


Bob Burns conducting the rider meeting














Heading out on KS 32














Dan Pfaff














Stout's Corner Control














Crossing the Kansas River outbound














Ottawa Control














Guy & Mae's Tavern in Williamsburg:
A/C and cold water














The turn west out of the headwind














Dan & Doug leaving De Soto