Day 20 (5/12/22): The Kid at Jersey Mike’s Was Not Impressed

Start:                                Clinton, OK

End:                                  Yukon, OK

 Mileage:                          76 miles

Elevation Gain:                4,109 feet

 More on Jersey Mike’s later.

 This was a tough one.  I knew I had high mileage today but assumed the elevation gain would be on a similar scale to what I saw in Texas, since all the riding today was on frontage roads (to I-40).  One problem.  Texas’ frontage roads are right next to the freeway, so they’re graded.  Oklahoma’s are at least a mile from the free way (not really “frontage” roads I guess), so they roll (and roll and roll and roll) with the rest of the natural landscape.  The accompanying picture does not do the undulation justice. It was a relentless, non-stop up-and-down (seemed like more up than down although it was pretty much even) for all 76 miles.  I thought I’d see a 1,500-2,000 foot gain and got 4,100.

 It was lovely like yesterday, although so much more of a grind.  A bit more difficult to enjoy though.

Managed to have 2 lunches today which was good given the calories burned. First was along a bridge which was quite nice (see Gallery). The second was at a rest stop with a few guys riding their Harleys through the West. We had a very nice conversation about the wind, (their) ex-girlfriends, retirement (all in favor), and more.

Back to Jersey Mike’s.  I was about a half mile from where I’m staying tonight and spotted a Jersey Mike’s.  I’ve wanted to go in, order a sandwich, point to the map on the wall, and announce my destination to the staff since the trip began.  (I know it says Point Pleasant, but close enough.)  I wasn’t in a particularly great mood when I walked in having pedaled the last mile of the day uphill in a 25 MPH headwind, and when I told the young man of my intentions, he said, “Oh.  What do you want on your sandwich?”  My mood didn’t improve, although the sandwich was quite good.

 As hard as the day was, the feeling of getting to the end and collapsing on whatever you’re going to sleep on that night is really indescribable.  A tremendous high.  One downside, it also likely means I’ll have adrenaline-induced insomnia tonight.  That’s perfectly fine because tomorrow is a rest day. 

 What am I Grateful for Today?

• A bit self-serving, but I’m so appreciative of how courteous the drivers have been almost without exception.  I’ve only had 3 instances of bonehead moves by drivers, and they didn’t put me in any significant danger.  One other safety note.  By far, the biggest surprise of the trip has been the limited number of cars I’ve seen on the road.  It was a lot of back roads in the West and frontage roads in the Midwest so far, so I guess it’s not a surprise, but it’s taken a lot of stress out of the riding so far.  If anything, I keep having to remind myself the frontage roads are NOT bike paths even though that’s exactly what they feel like.  Can’t let your guard down.

•  And of course, I connect with my girlfriend again tomorrow after 3 days.

Again, it’s a rest day tomorrow, so no blog.  Saturday is a VERY long day with 90-100 miles to Tulsa.  Not sure I’ll get to the blog until Sunday.