Oct. 16 – Brits and Box Turtles

I woke up to a chilly morning – but the birds were chirping, the sun was shining and there was a light wind blowing from the northwest. I could tell it was going to be a good day! Most of the morning I rode on empty county roads past farms and tiny little towns, really nice. I put in 40 miles before noon and found myself in Chanute. I picked up some picnicky-type food at a grocery and had a nice little lunch at a nearby park. Then I was off again – can’t let a tailwind just blow by….you have to ride it! The Warmshowers host I had stayed with in Buhler, Garth, had texted me that a young cyclist from England, Greg, who was riding west was going to be staying with him on Wednesday – so I should keep an eye out for him. Sure enough, about 20 miles east of Chanute I saw a cyclist coming down a hill. It was Greg. How’s this for a weird coincidence – we ride the exact same bikes that are the same color (except his is set up for gravel riding) and we have the exact same panniers that are also the same color! He is 21, the same age I was on my first bicycle tour – so I felt that I was looking at a British version of my younger self.

He just graduated from college with a degree in economics and is on a very ambitious world cycling tour before starting his first job out of college. He rode across England, flew to Washington DC and is riding across the US to Southern California, then up the Pacific Coast to Washington state. From there he is flying (if I remember right) to Singapore and will tour in Asia until it is time to make his way back home. Nice and adventurous young man! Soon after Greg and I went our separate ways, I had my second wildlife rescue of the trip. This little dude was getting ready to head across the highway to a most certain death until I scooped him up and carried him across – making sure to deposit him far from the road. Stay off the road little buddy!

With that I finished my days riding in Girard, KS – I am close to the Missouri border, so will say goodbye to Kansas tomorrow. I was able to camp in a nice city park in Girard – I am getting a little ripe though and am ready for a shower!!