Tent location, tent location, tent location

   Sterling, Kansas, worth a visit, someone has it together there.  The park was adjacent to the pool and shower as were the railroad tracks.  I checked the tracks; OK they are in use but Sterling  is too nice to have much train traffic.  NOT!  My tent was in a sheltered spot twenty feet from the tracks, another cyclist was ten feet.  Around 3:00 am the train whistles began to wail, the ground started shaking. Bolt upright, three engines and a mile long of freight cars came rumbling by at a low speed, thank Jesus!  The other guy set his tent at night and damn need "soiled" himself when the monster decended upon him.  Good story for the grand children someday.

     Ninety-two miles to Sterling wasted my legs so the next sixty to Newton, into the wind, was a test of will.  I stopped at a cemetery for lunch and had

morbid thoughts.  I pushed on, mile by mile, cranking away, enjoying the rolling expanses of Kansas.  Thankfully

my zen mindset pushed me to my final destination of Newton.  Thorough my trip I have heard of the Newton bike shop/hostel/free beer on tap/ work on your own bike and more.  Some local bicyclists led me to the Mecca of bike shops.  The owner came out of the shop, took my bike from me and told me "you are bike drunk.  There's you bed, have draft of beer, chill out.  Oh, here's the key to the place. If anyone bikers show up, give us a call".  I drifted around the bike shop totally mind numb, watched a Netflix movie, went next door for Pizza and passed out for eight. This place is amazing.  James, the owner, and his sidekick, Mike have a totally equipped hostel and bike shop.  I am getting a full tune up and the addition of aero bars for more comfort. 

     I nuked my Brooks saddle with leather conditioner from the underside.  My butt was screaming for mercy.  The seat is finally mellowing out.  After 155 miles in two days, me, myself and I unanimously vote in a day off.  Two-thirds of Kansa is behind me, GO TEAM HUMPHREVILLE.