Horrible Hump Day

Today is the end of the first half of our tour days. We will hit the mileage 1/2 way on Friday. I had been feeling pretty good about my ride so far but that ended today. I got an early start and had a good crossing of the border into Nebraska.

Note the many gun shot holes in the sign.
We are back into the long, hot desert and the most noticeable thing along the road now are the hoards of grasshoppers. It is really amazing to see them flying out from the tires of the rider in front of you. This one decided to hitch a ride on my bike. Like I don't have enough weight as it is.

However, the mixed of direct sunlight, no shade, rough roads and a strong head wind was too much for my head at the 60kms mark. I quickly took my meds and called for a SAG which helped avoid a debilitating migraine and kept it to a manageable head ache. It is very disappointing for me to have missed so many kms and have them to make up. I just was able to get my missed kms finished this weekend and now I am 80 in the whole again. It is very frustrating for me, knowing that this obstacle is affecting my tour due to one driver's carelessness. That this shouldn't be a problem, that my body should be wearing out before my head is. But there is nothing that can be done that I'm not already doing.
However, while I was in the SAG, I discovered that there has been some discussions among our younger cyclists about my legs. Now I must admit that several people have mentioned how great my legs are. I usually respond that we are all cyclist so we all have pretty good legs.....and mine do a lot more weight lifting than others! Actually yesterday as the guys were sweeping us in, Brian was awed at "How cut my calves were!" Stephanie in the SAG was saying how toned my legs had gotten. I said that I had lost some weight but I didn't think that it was in my legs. "Oh no" She said, "we've talked about it." WE? Nick confirmed at dinner that my legs had been the topic of several conversations. That is a little intimidating. I remember talking to Florine about it a few weeks ago, about the compliments which seemed odd from a group of people who all had pretty good legs. "Well", Florine mused,"It's probably more that people look at your body and don't expect that your legs are great. It's unexpected."
Should good things be unexpected?
After dinner, there was an opportunity to swim at the local Y. Paul was headed over as he had a membership so it would be free. Would I like to come as his guest? It was the break I needed. I just grabbed an innertube and floated for a while and decompressed my head while my body cooled.
This gift was not expected but also not a surprise. I need to focus on the amazing opportunities I have been given, the kind and generous people who surround me and that even on my worst day, I am stilled very blessed.
As I type, fireflies are dancing around.