Day 54: 7/13/19: Alliance to Mullen, NE

After the storm passed last night, and I had completed my blog for the day, I went to the bike bag smorgasbord for supper.  While I was at the bike, I decided to give both tires the pinch test to make sure they were still ok.  The front tire was spongy due to a slow leak.  So much for my night of leisure.

I wasn't really wanting to mess with a flat tire last night, but I sure didn't want to mess with it this morning.  So as the sun was setting, I pulled the bags off the front rack and took the wheel off.  I decided to go ahead and replace the tire since it had about 5600 miles on it (1800 from a prior tour).  I located a small pin hole in the tube and put a patch on it.  I used the same tube and put a Continental Gatorskin tire on that I have been hauling around. The wheel was put back on the bike, and it was ready to roll this morning.  That just goes along with, "it's always an adventure."

Today's ride was much like yesterday's as far as towns go.  They were few and far between.  Even though I went through several unincorporated communities, there were no services there.  After I left Alliance, the first town I came to with services (food store) was Hyannis.  It was about 60 miles from Alliance.  After Hyannis, about 40 miles away, came Mullen, my stop for the night.  So that was it, 2 towns in a little over 100 miles.  I now never leave a town without a 2 liter Camelback and 4 water bottles full of water.

Windmills like the one pictured below were common sights in this area.

The entire day today, I followed a Nebraska Byway called Sandhills Journey.  Below are a few pics of what the scenery looked like today.  The road weaved in and out of hills.  There were also several ups and downs, but nothing too steep. (Pics below)

I reached the 4000 mile mark mark somewhere in the Sandhills.

I've been spending a lot of time with the guy below. For several nights on this trip, I have had train and vehicle noise to serve as white noise so I can sleep.  As far at the train, for the last couple of days, if it's heading east, every car is loaded with coal.  If it's heading west, all cars are empty.

I camped behind some units at the Sandhills Motel last night.  For $10, l got a tent spot, shower, and access to a restroom.  When I got to Mullen, I considered riding another 26 miles to the next town, but with the heat ( about 90), wind, and deal at the motel, sanity prevailed.

Total miles today: 102.6