It’s not that I like the state. Don’t get me wrong; Nebraska is a beautiful state with friendly and helpful people. I just don’t seem to be able to get into any kind of rhythm or make any distance. First, there was the unscheduled day off in Hastings caused by the frequent flat tires.
So much for a good ride. I started out on the north side of Hastings and didn’t even make it to downtown before the rear tire went flat again. I was at the end of my rope and couldn’t figure out what was causing so many flats in such a short time. It is possible that my rear tire failed and the downward pressure while riding may be popping the tube.
After a very nice and restful week visiting family, I was ready to get on the road again. It was a bit gloomy, with a thick cloud cover, but cool. When I started out, the bicycle felt light. I left a few things behind, but not so much that I should have noticed the weight. I guess the week of rest did me some good. I had hoped to get some good miles in.
I really wasn’t sure how far I would get today. The miles since my last break were really wearing on me. On the other hand, it was just about a perfect day for riding. The temperature stayed low and was almost chilly in the morning. There was a slight wind coming from the east that would give me a little boost. I divided the day into three parts, 22 miles from Lincoln to Seward, 26 miles from Seward to York and 22 miles from York to Aurora. I figured, even though I was tired, I could at least get to York. If I could get to Aurora, which would be 70 miles, that would leave me with a very short day on Sunday.
Leaving Nebraska City this morning, I rode on old Highway 2 for a while. The old highway had a kind of pinkish hue to it. I have come across this on past road trips, particularly in the red dirt country in Oklahoma. There, the red dirt was mixed into the concrete of highways built in the early 20th century. It gave the highways a distinctive pink color. Here, the highway was asphalt, not concrete. The pink hue comes from gravel mixed into the asphalt. I am not sure where the pink gravel comes from.
The next few days are going to be all about putting in the miles to get to my parent’s place in Central City, NE. I am trying to get there by the end of the month on Sunday. I headed west on Highway 2 hoping to make it into Nebraska today. It is beginning to look a little more like I expected from Iowa. The hills are spreading out and the farmland is switching from pastures and hay fields to more corn.
Pedaling America 