The Route So Far - Google Maps


View X-America by Bicycle in a larger map

Why?

We are doing this ride to raise money for Research Autism. We are aiming to raise £20,000.
We are supporting Research Autism because my cousin Jamie is severely affected by the disease, and I have seen its effects not only on him but on the whole family." He is 13yrs old, but cannot yet talk.
Just take a moment to imagine not being able to talk.
Imagine understanding everything going on around you, but not being able to comment.
Imagine having to be dressed every morning in clothes you don't choose, and then hurting your parents as you try to tell them you wanted the blue shirt today.
Imagine being swamped by having to hear everything that everyone is saying around you, and not being able to listen to just one thing at once. Jamie loves being in a swimming pool, just floating, legs held motionless by the weight of the water, while he keeps his ears underwater to just relax, hearing nothing.
He understands everything - he appears to have a photographic memory - but can’t get his thoughts out.
Frustration leads to despair, and anger, which is just one of the many things that his family has to deal with.
He has extremely specific eating requirements and requires round the clock supervision. Jamie is at the severe end of the autistic spectrum, but given that one in 100 people suffer from the disease (with varying severity), and that everyone has some autistic traits, it is shocking that so little is known about it'.
Click here to support our cause and donate to Research Autism.
Read the "Meet Jamie" post - the only post in February, for more information about Jamie, and a poem - painstakingly slow for Jamie to type, but ultimately incredible.

Photo Video - New York to St Louis

May 28, 2010

Sheridan Lake, COLORADO

Scott City, KS - Sheridan Lake, CO: 78 miles, 6.5 hours, 1 slow puncture. NEW STATE - Colorado Totals - 3377kms, 1 more burger, 14 States, 4 punctures. Time Change, back one more hour.

After a hearty breakfast courtesy of Marcia and Craig, a great ending to a fun time with them, we set off to the west. The wind in the early morning started from the east but by the time we got going at around 10, it was turning into a southerly wind, blowing across us. We weren't helped much by the wind, but 78 miles is easy following the bigger days we have been pulling off recently. Kansas has a reputation for being hot and windy, and it didn't disappoint. Eastern Colorado seems to be not much better, so we are planning on waking at 5 tomorrow, to get a few hours in before the wind starts, and the heat comes.

We split the day into three, as is becoming habit, 30 miles is about right for a proper break, with a small one at 15miles. The middle third was toughest today - as I have already mentioned, it is hot and windy, and it is hottest and windiest in the early afternoon. Riding with a cross wind is tough, you have to constantly lean into the wind, and lorries blow you about, oncoming ones stop us in our tracks, and trucks going our way pull us along, but suck us out into the middle of the road - which is not great when more traffic is coming. Luckily, there traffic is sparse, and for the last third of the day, between Tribune KS and Sheridan Lake was great - we took it easy, and spirits lifted by the border sign (finally leaving Kansas behind!) Alex rigged up his IPod with the speakers, and we pedalled along happily to the tune of "Sweet Home Alabama".

We are now bedded down by Sheridan Lake, set for a 5.30 wake up tomorrow, and we'll end up where we are when it gets dark, having probably taken a rest to avoid the midday heat and wind.

2 comments:

  1. Congrats on a speedy cross-kansas trip! Mom and I were going to try to catch up with you by car when we got back from kenya, but you two were already too far away! I love the mix on the video, btw.

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  2. just realized it's DJ earthworm, and I was just about to be overwhelmed by your mix making skills :-p Excellent choice!

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