Wheelsucker Blog - Week Ten

A big thank you to everyone who has visited my Just Giving site and donated money. Please continue to spread the word to raise as much money as possible for such a worthy cause. http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-Young-cycles-USA Sunday 20th July Idabel, Oklahoma, 100 miles. Average speed 13.2mph. Left Durant about 6.45am into a chilly and misty start. Long sleeve top and shorts. After about 10 miles it started warming up, so just down to cycling top. Lots of rolling hills and narrow hard shoulders. Had some lunch at Hugo and an ice cream at Valliant. Also I had trouble finding hotel which didn't have very good wifi connection. Can't believe it's 70 days since I wobbled away from Dave and Jeanne in Danvers, couldn't even wave goodbye because the balance of the bike was all over the place. Picture show Rob and Charlie, two runners, who befriended me in Pauls Valley and wanted to know all about my journey. Saturday 19th July Durant, Oklahoma. 103 miles. Average speed 13.3mph. Left Pauls Valley at 6.45am. Bit chilly so long sleeve top and shorts, but changed to just cycling top after about ten miles. Went into a small mountain area called Turners Falls, where they have turned the falls into a fun park! Had breakfast in McDs at a place called Ardmore. Countryside nice and green, reminded me of the South Downs, able to ride reasonably quickly over the rolling countryside. Had a snack at a place called Madill and then suddenly came to this spectacular view of the lake and bridge. Apparently the lake is in Oklahoma and Texas, so that's why it is called Tishomingo. Got to first hotel no vacancies, said town was full up. Nightmare! Tried another across the road and got a room thank. Friday 18th July Pauls Vally, Oklahoma. 73 miles. Average speed 12.7mph. Left Anadarko about 7.30am feeling a bit chilly. Long sleeve top and shorts. Saw temperature sign 61F. Slight breeze against me but most important no rain. Countryside started to get greener and the hills not so severe. Made good time and had a snack at Lindsay. Arrived at Pauls Valley about 1pm, so too early to book in and went to a Subway for some lunch. Got talking to Rob and Charlie (who were both runners), and they were really interested in my journey. It's nice to meet genuine, friendly people and I wish them well on their drive to Minnesota. Picture is for my son Paul. Thursday 17th July Anadarko, Oklahoma. A big storm system has come in causing flooding and heavy rain. Decided to sit this one out for the day and start again tomorrow regardless. Trouble is the rain ruins the bike and it's impossible to keep your shoes and feet dry. There's nothing to do here. The hotel is on the edge of town and a bit run down, but at least I can get food. Will try to get Paul's Valley tomorrow and a Comfort Inn hotel. Wednesday 16th July Anadarko, Oklahoma. 93 miles. Average speed 11.9mph. Left about 6.45am, again needing lights. Chillier than last few days, so long sleeve top and shorts. After about 10 miles it started to rain, then got heavier and heavier. Then the big roller coaster hills started to come at me and the wind. Stopped raining about mid day. Then found a place to have lunch called Cobb Creek, it only had a garage and cafe. Then the wind really started blowing from the South. All in all a very hard day in the saddle. Couldn't be bothered with any pictures what with all the bad weather so here is a picture of me collecting my bike after it's overhaul in Kingman, with Ran who runs the shop.

Tuesday 15th July

Elk City, Oklahoma. 99 miles. Average speed 12.4 mph. Left Pampas about 6.45am in gillet, top and shorts. Still quite dark so lights on. The wind had come to meet me, even at that time in the morning. The the hills got longer and bigger, big roller coasters one after the other. You got to the top of one and you could see them in the distance waiting for me! Had trouble finding food but suddenly there was a diner at a small crossroads in the middle of nowhere near Sweetcorn. The last 20 odd miles I have even riding on Route 66 with all it's memorabilia and tourist things. As the picture shows I have now past into Oklahoma.

Monday 14th July

Pampa, Texas. 76 miles. Average speed 13.4mph. Left Dimas at 8am, warm but a bit muggy. Started to rain then thunder and lightening, didn't last for long though. Had breakfast at Borger. Making good time when I had first puncture of the whole trip. Brand new tyres and a big sharp flint made a small hole. Now I will have to change the front and back tyres over, cut up a plastic bottle and tape it underneath the hole in the tyre. Hopefully this will last until I get to Derek in Atlanta! Because I am ahead of schedule I am doing less miles and slightly changing route for anyone interested. Picture tries to show landscape in Texas I'm riding in, unsuccessfully.