Okay, so we were on our way for another typical day. Grass, grass, grass, and more grass. Yeah, there was a headwind today, and the heat, but we were prepared to slowly slug our way through it. Our goal was about 55 miles. Then the curve ball.....road construction. Then a second curve ball, bike problems. Then back to the road construction. The heat and headwind were not enough.

Lucky for us, when we came to a 5 mile section of total destruction, Phil and Scott were able to haul us through it. It would have taken an hour or more, and wiped us out. The mud, gravel, dust, heat, and bugs would have been pretty miserable. Unlike other cyclists who turn down the help, we have nothing to prove except some common sense. Thanks guys!

I have heard some concern that the youth are starving. I do not want any rumors. It is true, they have not eaten since Minnesota. TJ is down 40 pounds. I don't expect them to survive the week. This is him holding a burger that we let him smell but not eat at Chars family Dining. It was one of the best places we have eaten.

As we left, we headed for the bike shop to buy brake pads and tubes. On the way, TJs tire started to wobble. It turns out, he broke 2 spokes. Well, good timing I guess. Roger at Havre Bicycle fixed it right up.

THe bike shop only had 1 tube, so we purchased it. After that delay, we hit the road. Within 2 miles, another flat tire for TJ. He was getting a bit frustrated, for good reason.

We got that one patched up in record time. So much for trying to get a few more spare tubes.....

Back rolling again and comes one of the worst street signs ever. Road construction next 25 miles......

The road wasn't terrible, but it was rough enough to combine with the headwinds and heat to bring our speed down to 7mph. We tried to fight it, but soon caved in at the city of Kremlin. There we camped at the city park.

The city has no open businesses, so we made our own dinner and went to bed.

With no ammenties, the soda TJ had been hauling climbed in value quickly.

We did find a working pop machine in town though, which was visited many times before bed. Also, we found a working water hookup in the park, so we had water. It takes so little to make us happy when in such desperate situations. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

37 miles (1097 total)