The Windy Trail to Great Bend

Temps in the low 40's when we started this morning with wind from the north clocking at 20 mph with gusts up to 25. First 18 miles were a constant into the wind struggle; the rest of the day was hard and long. Most riders agreed these  85 miles were hard fought. Along the way to Great Bend, there was a huge windmill farm obviously capitalizing on the prevailing gales. 

Kansas is F-L-A-T and the roads straight. At times I felt like I was on a trainer, pedaling hard making no change in distance. We'd see huge grain elevators that looked like the robot in "The Day The Earth Stood a Still".  
Pedal...Pedal...Pedal....
Hmmm, is it getting closer or receding?
...Pedal...Pedal...Pedal....
Think it's closer yet?
Pedal...Pedal...Pedal....
Maybe.
Pedal...Pedal...Pedal....
Still not closer, yet?
Pedal...Pedal...Pedal....
Maybe my odometer is off, we've pedaled two miles and it's still way out there.
Yep. That's. How the day went.

Couple good things today (always is).
Good time chatting away the miles with other riders while we learned more about each other. 
Saw cool sign. See below.
Just before the hotel - Jackpot! Braum's Ice Cream Shop. Stopped for bacon double cheese, Dr Pepper and a double scoop of chocolate ice cream. Required nourishment after such a long ride.

Sign indicates this spot is midway between San Francisco & NY.

The Silo That Just Stood Still