July 12 - Ness City, KS to Larned, KS

Guest Blogger Carol Pandak

Nothing, and I mean nothing, was going to keep me from completing today’s 65 mile ride from Ness City, Kansas to Larned, Kansas, EXCEPT for a crazy wind from the south and an unpaved stretch of road on an alternate route from the original one. After making great time in the morning, riding east, the wind at our backs, we reached County Rd 320 and shortly thereafter I joined the SAG wagon while Eric and Michael forged ahead—a slow going stretch of about 25 miles in heat over 102 degrees. 

Gloria, Steve and I met them at various intervals to provide encouragement and material support. I joined the guys again for the final leg of the ride into Larned victorious! 

Steve, my husband and official photographer of our two days on the Bob Keegan Memorial Bike ride, had a blast joining Gloria, Michael, and Eric in practically the same places I joined Bob and Gloria 10 years ago.  We ate at many of the same restaurants (lunch at the Cactus Club in Ness City, late afternoon “medium” size margaritas at El Dos De Oros in Larned), stayed at the same hotels, and saw many of the same landmarks.  We enjoyed the hospitality of rural, small town America and wondered about life in these towns.  

We hit the road both mornings around 5:30ish, in the near dark, birds chirping, a light wind blowing which was my favorite part of each days’ ride.  Steve and I leave tomorrow morning, with a new set of memories anchored in the memories of Bob and Gloria’s original ride across America.  I can’t think of a better way to spend a couple of days in the summer of 2017. Godspeed Gloria, Michael and Eric!