Hopkins 4K for Cancer

June 22, 2002

Day 21 (79 miles) Sweet Springs, MO to K
We rolled off of the pew cushions at Wesley United Methodist Church at 7 am and headed downstairs to an awaiting breakfast prepared by the church. We ate, packed the vans, said final goodbyes to Pastor Lynn Harvey and double-checked the directions for the day and off we went on our 21st day of the trip. The morning was challenging: lots of rolling hills. Each time I tried to build up momentum on the downhills, but it was never quite enough to take me all the way to the top of the next one. The day was once again full of beautiful scenery. Each day I am constantly surprised by the acreage of fields we pass and the lack of traffic on the roads. If nothing else this trip has helped me appreciate the diversity and vastness of this country; and we’re only to Missouri!

We stopped for lunch outside a Casey’s General Store, our convenience store of choice in this part of the country. After a long and relaxing lunch under a shaded tree the afternoon ride began. It was even more difficult than the morning. Each hill was larger than the next. Jenn and I had one of our most difficult days of the trip. Normally we talk and laugh during the day’s ride, but today it was silence. We had nothing to say to each other, all of our energy was focused on conquering the next hill. I got two flats during the day, something that is never fun to deal with. Although frustrating, I always feel accomplished when I finish changing a tire. Before this trip I was bike illiterate, now I’ve changed about six flats, learned to grease and degrease my bike, and also learned a thing or two about truing a wheel.

Thankfully the day did end at one point. We found out that Ashley and Ashley managed to get us free rooms at the Weston Inn, probably the nicest hotel I’ve ever stayed in. That made the last five miles of the ride bearable. The last 30 miles of the day we had to shuttle in the vans because it was necessary to travel on major highways and go through bad parts of Kansas City. Although it’s always a little disappointing to have to ride in the van, I really didn’t mind doing it. I don’t know if I would have been able to go those last miles on my bike anyway. Twelve of us packed into a van and headed off to the Weston Inn in Kansas City, MO.

I arrived at the hotel and my jaw dropped. It was seriously the nicest hotel that I have ever stayed in. There is a jungle in the hotel and a mall attached. By the time everyone arrived it was about 9 at night. Needless to say we were all very hungry. Sarah Mandato’s father had graciously offered to “treat” the group to dinner. Since it was so late it was nice to be able to go out, instead of worrying about cooking a meal. After a great dinner a bunch of us decided we wanted to experience a little of the local feel. So we headed down to a local club, which featured a mechanical bull. Gary, Wylie, Thayer, Adam and Steph all took a shot at conquering the bull; in my opinion Steph outdid all the boys. We also learned how to two-step and fumbled our way through a couple of line dances. We must have been quite a sight to see! After a long day of riding, a delicious meal, and some local nightlife we finally headed back to the hotel and dreamed the night away on plush beds. It was a hard day, but I always feel a heightened sense of accomplishment when the day is challenging. Yeah, we did ride in the van, but all in all it was another great day on the Hopkins 4K for Cancer bike trip.

-Kelly Hewitt