Fortunately I did not put on my riding attire this morning or I would have been tempted to get back on the bike as the temperature rose and the winds remained light. It definitely would have been a mistake. My legs have been feeling better as the day has progressed and I fully expect to be back in the saddle tomorrow morning for the 106 mile ride to Neosho MO. As I reflect on yesterday's physical breakdown, I should not have been surprised and I'm not sure I could have done anything short of stopping to prevent it. Riding 535 miles in 5 days since leaving Taos into strong winds with only about 12 hours to recover between rides was simply beyond my physical limits. My mind pushed by body to go beyond its limits - and yesterday I paid the price.
It was interesting to watch the landscape change from open wind-swept prairie to wooded rolling hills as we approached Bartlesville. This is clearly a welcome forerunner to the beautiful fall scenery that we should experience during the remainder of the trip to Charleston. Bartlesville is an energy town of about 50,000 population where both ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66 are headquartered. Although most refining is done elsewhere, there is still an industrial look and feel to the town - with one exception. Price Tower, the only high rise building designed by Frank Loyd Wright is located in downtown Bartlesville and as you might expect is quite distinctive in its appearance. (see picture)
I look forward to tomorrow. Although we will have a cold start (32 degrees), the winds are forecast to be at our back and it will be a really great feeling to give Oklahoma a fitting salute as I pedal across the state line into Missouri.
Steve
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