Day 40: Pittsburg, KS to Girard, KS (15 miles, 1664 total)

Back in the saddle again! As Jeff has had the journal for the last week, it is my turn to do some updating! My trip to Charleston was exactly what I needed. I got to do some much needed off-bike resting and had a great time with Alecia and the rest of the crew. We ate way too much Low-Country food and slept in every morning. Luxurious! The only drawback is that I managed to catch a case of bronchitis from the plane trip. Where was my Airborne when I needed it? I got diagnosed yesterday in St. Louis so I'm on antibiotics and have tried to rest as much as possible. Darn the luck!

Our day started with the standard hotel breakfast, then it was back to the rental car and the 5 hour or so drive back to Kansas. Both of us were fighting to stay awake. Jeff is dealing with jet lag and I don't sleep well being this sick. We briefly discussed laying over in Pittsburgh but tossed that idea out the window. It is time to start bagging some miles again. August is looming ahead.

We turned the rental car in and then headed back to the bike shop where we left our bikes. After a week off I was really looking forward to getting back on the road. I think I am being infected with the touring bug. It is just so cool to be out here, to see everything that we are seeing, and to have all of the stories to share.

Everything felt great when I started out. My legs were ready to go, my new primo-shorts felt like heaven (and they should for the price), and the load felt lighter even though I am carrying more. I can't wait to drop by a post office tomorrow to mail back some extra items I picked up last week.

The 15 mile ride into Girard was a breeze. I am digging the flatter terrain. I was feeling so good, in fact, that I pushed it a little too hard in the first few miles. When we stopped to make our first turn and map check, all of a sudden my lungs felt like they closed up and I got very dizzy. Jeff grabbed my bike from me and I dropped my head below my knees. Given the state of my lungs I'm going to have to take it a little easier until I'm back to 100%. After that incident, the rest of the ride was uneventful. I only felt the wind in my face a few times. Come on tailwind tomorrow!

There were a few kids with a lemonade stand to our left as we rode into town so we stopped to have a cup. It feels like summer now! Tonight we are sleeping in the City Park. I do hope we can get a good night's sleep. Right now there is hip-hop blaring from the poolside and cars are driving by with conflicting "boom" coming from their windows. Yikes!

AKB

Note from Jeff: For future cyclists, the shop we left our bikes in is solid. Stop here if you need any work done:

Tailwind Cyclists
1511 N. Broadway
Pittsburg, KS 66762
620-231-2212
www.tailwindcyclists.com
Owners: Roger & Rebecca Lomshek