Big Dippers in Oklahoma

Day 14

Saturday, September 24, 2011
Weatherford, Oklahoma to Purcell, Oklahoma
112 miles
5,000 ft. of climbing

Today was a day of ups and downs . . . in terms of terrain.  Our route to Purcell consisted of many big, deep rollers.  They were actually fun - you get going fast down the downhill part of one and then pedal like heck to see how far the momentum would carry you up the corresponding uphill part.  Most had grades of 5 to 6%, only a few had some steeper sections.  The morning temp was a mild 59 degrees - and then warmed up to the high 80's, with lots of sunshine.  Perfect biking weather.  Although there was a lot of climbing to get up and over those rollers, it was an awesome ride.  Oklahoma has some very beautiful sights, with its rural landscapes and farms.  We saw many windmills and oil wells.  Got chased by a few dogs again today, but all of the dogs that chased us today were really small.  One particular dog that chased me bore a striking resemblance to a dust mop.  In another incident, three chihuahuas came tearing toward us, bloodthirsty and ready to attack.  I acted scared just so they wouldn't feel bad.  Saw a deceased armadillo on the side of the road.  Art & I had a frank discussion about all the reasons why we do not want to ride a tandem.  In all, it was a great day.  Got to ride in small groups for much of the ride, which is always fun.

Nice, quiet roads to ride on in Oklahoma

One of many windmills we saw

Art & I with Allan and Charley - two PAC Tour friends who drove from Kansas to meet our group and visit & ride with us  for a couple of days. 

Hello Oklahoma!

Day 13

Friday, September 23, 2011
Shamrock, Texas to Weatherford, Oklahoma
104 miles
2,500 feet of climbing

Today is a notable day - we entered our fifth state -Oklahoma - and we also crossed the Southern Transcontinental half-way point at mile 68!  It was another crisp, cool and sunny morning.  The forecast called for clear weather all day - no need to carry rain gear.  The temperature reached a comfortable 85 degrees in the afternoon.  Because it was such a cool morning, I started out wearing my jacket, but I was warmed up by the time I reached our first rest stop at mile 27.  The route consisted mostly of big rollers, with some flats.  We again rode most of the day on Old Route 66, much of which was on the concrete slab highway from the late 1920's and 1930's.  Old Route 66 is a great road for biking because it's quiet, there's little to no traffic, and the sights are interesting, historical and  . . . well, peculiar.  For example, when we entered Oklahoma at mile 14 at the border town of Texola, there was a big sign there that said:

There's no place 

like this place 

anywhere near this place 

so this must be the place

Got chased by a few farm dogs along the way today.  They weren't all that ferocious, just barked and ran at us.  I think they were just excited and/or surprised to see someone on a bicycle.  We had time to stop and visit two Route 66 museums today - one was a national Route 66 museum, and the other was dedicated to Oklahoma Route 66 history.  Although the theme of both museums was Route 66, the displays reflected the history of the U.S. throughout the decades:  music, cars, businesses, development of industry, old gas pumps. I found it fascinating.  At our lunch stop, we had a little "half-way point" celebration.  Also, later in the evening, after dinner, we had an ice cream social to further celebrate the milestone of our journey.  It was a banner day of cycling - wonderful roads to travel on, great sights, and a really fun ride.  

Me, Art & Tracey on Old Route 66

"Hey!  Stop!  I just wanna talk to ya!"

More than half way!

 

A Swell Ride to Shamrock

Day 12

Thursday, September 22, 2011
Amarillo, Texas to Shamrock, Texas
92 miles
850 ft. climbing

Started the day with a treat - the crew made us French toast for breakfast.  It was a chilly morning - about 50 degrees and overcast.  We’re now in the central time zone, so the mornings are still darkish when we wake up and have breakfast, but light enough for us to start riding at 7:30.  It was a good recovery ride - mostly flat; just a little climbing.  It rained for part of the morning, but we had all our rain gear on, so it wasn’t an issue.  Our entire route was on historic Old Route 66.  Notable sights:  the largest cross in the western hemisphere (in Groom, TX); the leaning water tower (also in Groom); and the Devil‘s Rope and Route 66 museums (in McLean, TX).  The weather became bright and sunny in the late morning and stayed sunny and pleasantly cool for the rest of the day.  It was an exceptional day - even with the rain, we had a great ride.  Because it was such a short day, we arrived at our destination - the Western Hotel in Shamrock - before 2:30.  We had plenty of time to relax after cleaning and maintaining our bikes and settling into our rooms.  For dinner, about 15 of us walked over to a small pizza place (the only pizza place in town) about a block away from our hotel.  We took over the entire tiny eating area - rearranging the furniture so that we could all sit together.  The people running the place couldn’t have been nicer.  We probably cleaned them out of all their food!

The largest cross in the western hemisphere

The leaning water tower

Not caring that my rain hat does not match my rain jacket

Well, there goes our restrooms!