Distance: 72 miles Eureka, KS to Chanute, KS
Ride Time: 5:34
Average Speed: 13 mph
Altitude Gain: 1509 feet
Average Temperature: 102
We got a late start this morning. We had planned to meet in Benedict for lunch. Most of Benedict was off my cycling course. Kathie got there and waited. About the time that I was suppose to arrive, she prepared my lunch. From my perspective I did not see the town at all. I was staying on course so I turned and headed straight east when I saw another rider named Amelia. She was 21 years old and cycling the TransAmerica Bike Path going west. She was riding alone, fully self-supported and trying to hold a 100 miles per day pace. She had stayed with another couple the night before but she started riding at about 6 am each morning. After she continued on, two police trucks passed me with sirens and lights flashing. Kathie had also heard the sirens from her spot in Benedict and began to worry about where I was as she had expected me much earlier. I had not seen Kathie or Benedict and did not have any cell phone service. I decided to go back out to the highway and see if I could find Kathie or get cell service and communicate with her. After hearing the sirens, Kathie had walked out of Benedict, crossed the train tracks and was on the road looking for me. She decided to walk across the bridge and if she didn’t see me by then, she would head back into the little town. As she turned to walk back, she ran into Amelia, who told her she had seen me and what route I had turned onto. Kathie walked back into town, packed up lunch and followed the route I was on. She arrived at the intersection where there had been a wreck with two cars. She asked the police if they had seen a cyclist pass going east. They had only seen Amelia. So she continued on the route. By the time I got hold of Kathie I was about 10 miles off course. She told me where she was and I told her she had to turn back because I was behind her now. Then she returned to the intersection. It took me a couple of hours to get back to meet her. It was good to see her. Another miracle.
We were able to find a campground in the city of Chanute that was free for 48 hours. Pastor Wade, who was camped next to us, helped Kathie back the trailer into position and loaned us a longer water hose. He was a good neighbor.
After dinner, we watched a fast-pitch softball game played by two high school girl teams at the nearby diamond. The home team won 14-0.
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