“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”- John F. Kennedy

“History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

Hello everyone,

Today’s Memorial Day ride is to the home town of Dwight D. Eisenhower so I thought it was appropriate to start with a couple of quotes. I think President Kennedy’s quote hits home because, our fallen heroes paid the supreme price in “doing for your country”. It is a debt that can never be repaid. Eisenhower led the battle against the supreme threat to mankind and was as popular as President as he was as Supreme Commander.

The morning ride was the first one in a week or so that i didn’t feel the need for extra clothing as the morning was warmer and there was no threat of rain. We started off kind of slow and I was feeling much better so I just decided to ride at a good clip and hoped that some riders would join me. No one did. I also had a hair cut scheduled for 2:30 and wanted to make sure that was there on time. This is beginning to sound like a broken record but the wind was again on our side. It is amazing how much favorable winds and temperatures can do for your speed and mindset.

I pretty much maintained a 20 mph average speed all day but never thought that I pushed very hard. At the first SAG, I was a little surprised with most of the gang rolled in on my heels. Seems that Howard had pulled a group and almost rolled me in. The terrain had changed from fairly flat to more rolling hills and we passed endless farms and livestock. You could also tell that the humidity was returning and could eventually become an issue if the temps rose. Everywhere we go, there is evidence of a lot of rain in the creeks and low areas with standing water. It so all misses us like we are cycling in a bubble.

After the first SAG, I was briefly chased by a beautiful border collie. I could tell she was more friendly than threatening and the owner who was mowing his yard shouted out that she wouldn’t hurt anyone. I was tempted to stop and play a bit and take a picture of the border collie but just kept going.

The ride into Abilene was uneventful but pretty fast. I got to the hotel just a few minutes after the truck so the rooms were not ready and they were just unloading the luggage. I got into the room, did some laundry, got a bit to eat at Subway and came back for my haircut. Wendy is Carol’s sister and a retired barber who gives cyclist a cut every year. The haircuts were next to the washer / dryer and it seems that Jan, Mary Clare and Carol decided to sit in the adjacent coach and take before after photos. I told them that there was a good episode of “the Young and Restless” but I guess my haircut was better entertainment. Seems that haircut appointments and laundry was a popular pastime at that time of day and riders kept dropping by. I think that at least 8 or 9 riders took advantage the offer. I have a few photos that I can post later….

Towards dinner time, I walked to the nearby grocery store and purchased a few needed items. As I walked back I encountered Lois who was just walking down towards the town. Neither of us knew what the group had planned for dinner and I told her that after I dropped off my bag of stuff, I’d come back that way. Turnout that I met a big group of riders heading to La Fiesta which was 3/10ths of a mile from the hotel. I dropped off my stuff and headed back. I happened see Lois in the far distance(well past La Fiesta so I surmised that she must have been in the Dollar Store when the other group passed and didn’t know about LaFiesta. I ran down the street and caught her after about a half mile or so. We then headed to laFiesta to join the other riders and I was able to meet Mary Clare’s sister and her friend who drove down from Columbia Missouri. It was a great dinner and I had a marguerita to top it off.

Later that evening as i wandered around,  found a group of riders had bought some beer and were watching the NBA game between Oklahoma and Golden State and I joined them for that.

I am writing this the day after the ride so I think that i have cai=ught up. I intend to send some stuff home, take it easy and maybe post a few photos. I am taking this rest day as a rest day.

I’d like to remind everyone that i am riding for the Wounded Warrior Project and there is a link on my blog that leads to my donation page.

Thanks fro reading and hope that you all had a safe and joyful Memorial Day

~Chuck