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The first three days of BRAN

ARNOLD, Neb. -- We have established at least four things so far on the Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska:

1. Nebraska has lots of wind. Supposedly, the prevailing wind is from west to east, but we have yet to experience much of that yet.

2. Nebraska is not flat. Sure, the areas most people are familiar with fit that descriptions, but there is a reason why they call the region north of the North Platte River the Sandhills.

3. Nebraska is a beautiful state. Seeing the classic scenes of Chimney Rock and Scotts Bluff were exciting, especially when you put yourself in the mindframe of the pioneers who saw those landmarks as they traveled the Oregon and Mormon trails. But the Sandhills were equally impressive with its green valleys and unusually shaped hills.

4. My cycling pretty much as gone as expected. The first day to Bridgeport went well. The second day, a 107-mile route from Bridgeport to Arthur, was tough. We had about 80 miles of headwinds. I didn't get done until nearly 8 p.m. MDT. My worst century ever. That pretty much killed me today because we were treated to headwind all day. I ran out of gas at 41 miles. I don't like sagging, but sometimes it's necessary. It was either sagging or having four miserable remaining days.

Roger 0 comments 7:16 PM