Sunrise between trucks leaving Guymon, OK.
Sunrise between trucks leaving Guymon, OK.
The Hardesty, OK school has this pithy "He Who" saying on display as one enters town.
I found this display in the service station in Hardesty, OK and took a photo to let the folks at Los Alamos know that I haven't forgotten about work.
Andrew Johnson in Hardesty, OK.
Andrew Johnson's service station in Hardesty, OK.
An Oklahoma "state line" bar serving folks in the neighboring dry Texas county.
Entering Texas 7 miles from Perryton.
Last Modified on 9/18/2000 at 20:54:37
Day's Narrative: I got up early this morning to get on the road as soon as possible because the Weather Channel predicted wind from the South at 10-20 mph. Since I presumed that meant in the afternoon, as usual, then an early start could mean that I could possibly avoid some of the strongest wind by arriving early. Wrong. When I peeped out of the room into the darkness at 6:30 a.m. the wind was already up to speed with the trees bending over ominously. Oh well, I might as well go ahead and get up. It would be a long day on the road anyway. I had my usual breakfast at The Pancake House down the street and started out towards Hardesty, OK, 20 miles due East. The wind was a true cross wind which blew me around so I had to pay attention to avoid swerving. I remembered the saying "The only good wind is a tailwind." That is definitely true. At Hardesty I met the owner of the Phillips service station, Andrew Johnson. Andrew has owned the station since January and says that business has been good. He enjoys being his own boss. Last July he said the Race Across America riders came through and used his fax machine a lot during the two days they were there. After Hardesty there were 23 more miles of heavy cross winds until I reached the intersection where I turned right to head directly South toward Perryton, and into the wind. I took a break at the store there, Bryan's Corner, (no photo) and bought a sandwich for lunch. All the while I kept looking out the window at the wind blowing the trees over. The 16 miles to Perryton would surely be one of the longest 16 mile stretches of road I had ever ridden. The prevailing wind here is from the South and when it blows, it definitely prevails. The trees here on the plains are permanently deformed leaning to the North. The 16 mile ride took 2-1/2 hours. My speed was about 6-8 mph. I was using my next to lowest gear (which was 30/25 to you bicyclers). This is a gear which I normally use only on steep hills. In this wind you can't stop pedaling. If you do, you stop within a few feet. Consequently, one tends to stop a lot to rest. It was the strongest headwind I have ever bicycled in. After 9 miles I arrived at the Texas state line and a collection of bars. This was a good excuse to stop and get a Coke. The temperature was 95 F (35C). I went into a bar (see photo) and tried unsuccessfully to start up a conversation with the bartender. I was the only one there. I guess he hears a lot of conversation everyday. I did find out that the county on the Texas side of the state line is dry, which explains why the bars were there on the Oklahoma side. Connie was at the motel when I arrived at 2:00 p.m. At the time of this writing (5:10 p.m.) we are still the only guests in the motel. Tomorrow the Weather Channel predicts 10-20 mph winds from the Southwest -- a tailwind. © Ray & Connie Poore, 2000
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