Kansas--the wannabe state

As I was driving to our venue for the road race today, I noticed something about Kansas. I actually drove through Augusta to get to Atlanta--and didn't leave Kansas. Kansas took the names of other famous cities--and used them as their own. These are some of the other cities in Kansas: Manhatten, Zurich, Pittsburg, Bel Aire, Buffalo, Durham, Florence, Havanna, Long Island--just to name a few. I think Kansas must have an identity crisis. Don't they think people are going to figure out that the Florence that they have driven through was not really in Italy?? It makes a person wonder--where did they steal "Kansas" from?

Anyway, back to the race. It was an hour drive to Atlanta (Kansas) where the road race took place. It was a very small farm community with lots of open space with sparsely scattered farms with cattle. We arrived early as we had to meet in the hotel lobby at 6 a.m. and caravan down together. It was warm at 7 a.m.--in the 70's. Everyone geared up and got ready for the race by 8:00. The course was a big square. Six miles before a right hand turn four times and 25 miles later--the finish line.

We started off en masse. The hot shots flew to the front--and I didn't see them until after the race was long over. I tried hard to grab a wheel so I could draft--but it wouldn't happen. I rode many miles alone. It was hilly, and windy and there were some bumpy roads. I was zoned out just plugging along when James came up behind me. He caught me about about 15 miles in or so. He asked if I wanted to work together--but I could hang with him. He remained in my sight but I wouldn't be able to catch him either. It was in the 90's at the end. The wind was a blessing and a curse. It kept me from going as fast as I wanted--but without it, the heat was unbearable. We said it was like riding with a blow dryer blowing in your face. I saw a poor little turtle along the side of the road and made sure I avoided it.

About an hour and 46 minutes later I finally crossed the finish line. What a relief that was. It was a very tough and challenging race. I had to sit in my bike for awhile before I could muster enough energy to get out of it. I had to take a little nap when I got back to the hotel, I was so pooped. My lack of training really showed in this event.

We were treated to a great dinner at the Whiskey Creek. It was fun to sit around and relive the race as we experienced it. Tomorrow is the Criterium--not sure where as things have been changed. It will be going around and around, many times. This isn't one of my favorites. Maybe we'll go to Paris--Kansas. (they don't really have that city--but Texas borrowed it)

Wichita--not bad at all!

Last summer at this time I was looking forward to my trip to Europe--getting ready for the exotic location of Prague in the Czech Republic. I have no such plans this summer--I headed to the heartland, the midwest for a weekend. When I told anyone I was headed to Wichita, Kansas there was no envy, or "oh, I wish I could go." No. I could find no one who wished to even share the drive for one crazy weekend. So, I went by myself. I spent the nine hour drive singing loudly (and badly) with some oldies playing on my CD player. I then finished a book on CD to finish off the trip. It really wasn't too bad, and I was pleasantly surprised when took the turn from Salina and headed towards Wichita. Up to that point the view had been grass, lots of flat land, and some amber waves of grain. When I made the turn, I saw lots of green....grass, trees and a more interesting land. I had never been to Wichita and only thought of Kansas as a place I had to go through on my way to some other place.

I'm in Wichita for an omnium. That's a series of 3 races in which you get points for each race--and the winner is the one who has the most points. I got a new bike and was excited to try it out. I'm not in that great of shape yet since I just got out of school a few days ago, and struggled getting out early enough to ride in the evenings. I was able to get some good rides on the weekend. The rain and cold has been a deterrent too.

So here I am with one race under my belt--and the verdict on the bike is--WOW!! I felt like I flew. It was very hot (98 degrees) and windy, So the first 5 miles were fast as we had a pretty good tail wind. Of course, whatever we got--we paid for on the way back. The way back was so windy and it was tough to maintain a decent speed. It was only a 14K--and I was glad of that as the heat and humidity really got to me the last few miles.

So far, I am impressed with the way this event is being put on. Everyone is so friendly (we are in the midwest) and it's like a big family with all of the racers. We have the 24 mile road race tomorrow. I'm glad for the distance but may not enjoy the wind and heat again--but the race goes on!! Wish me luck.

The Revolution has begun!

Since my journey last summer to Prague, I have kept in contact with my new friends there. I met them while searching for the accessible wheelchair entrance to the subway. I never did find that entrance but, I found a group of people whom I became bonded to through their cause. Erik and Radek were on their way to meet a prominent film documentarian, Tomas Skrdlant. They were making a film on the lack of accessibility in the transportation of Prague. Of course, I had a few comments on the subject, as I had spent the last month in Prague trying to negotiate their transportation system.

I was asked to be a part of this documentary and I wholeheartedly agreed. It was finished and premiered in August. This film was the key to opening up a dialog with politicians in Prague. This problem could no longer be ignored. The Revolution had begun.

I recently saw photos posted by Erik on his Facebook page. It looked like a big demonstration happening in Prague, so I wrote him and inquired about them--and what was going on with the transportation in Prague. The demonstration was about the government giving less money to people with disabilities. He said it was the biggest demonstration ever in Prague. That is an area that they will have to continue to work on.

He also said that the good news was that they had a meeting with the Mayor of Prague and that the metro would be barrier free in ten years--and that they would know easily which metro stops were accessible in five years. This is very good news for the disabled people of Prague.

I hope to return to the city of Prague someday. I want to ride that transportation again with them and enjoy the beauty that Prague has to offer--not just to the nondisabled, but to everybody. Let the revolution continue.