Half Way Done

Pat rode 104 miles in 10 hours today to Lincoln, NE. This is a huge achievement, especially on Day 6. He has ridden a total of 519 miles, which is the official half way point. Food, drink and hot-tub time at a decent hotel.

As we say in Chicago, "Yeah Baby!"

Grafton, NE - Pop. 152 souls

Paying respects at St. Helena's Church.

Day 6: Hastings to Lincoln

Pat is off to a good start on his 100 mile ride to Lincoln -- at Lincoln he will have a couple days rest before the next push through Iowa. Pat reports that its a beautiful morning and a great day for a bike ride -- here is a pix he sent of a "Frankenfood" research site 16 miles east of Hastings -- Better living through chemistry!

Day 5: Stratton to Hastings, NE

Pat made it to Hastings, NE - Rode 90 miles (86 miles + 4 checking out town) - He is planning a big push to Lincoln tomorrow- 100 miles & then take a day off. More pixs below of the road less travelled:

Funk, NE - 'nuff said.

The POW work camp in Atlanta, NE - Held Nazis; now a corn field.

East Meets West

About 33 miles into today's ride, Pat met fellow tourer Matt, who is on his way to Denver from DC.

Our Lady of Fatima Shrine- Arapahoe, NE

Part of the Pilgrimage
The Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Fátima

Arapahoe: Room With A View

(Bill Posting) Patrick did 75 miles down today -- made it to Arapahoe, NE at 4:15 central time; below is a pix he emailed me of his room; the ride took about 8 hours. Pat is doing well and feels good. He is hitting the showers and looking for Subway. Heading out to Hastings tomorrow (86 miles).

Pat past the 300 mile mark -- heading on to Arapahoe

Day 4: Stratton to Arapahoe, NE

(Bill posting) Pat took off from Stratton, NE this AM, and got a big breakfast in Trenton -- about 15 miles up the road. His legs feel good, but it is another rainy start. More updates later in the day. -- UPDATE: Pat just texted -- some ladies in the diner in Trenton bought his big breakfast without telling him -- good folks out there!

Day 3: Stratton, NE

(Bill posting) Pat rode about 90 miles today to Stratton, NE. There was some rain, but he says it wasn't bad although he had to stop several times; the weather was mostly cool and overcast, which made for a perfect biking day. He is showering off and then off to carbo-load up for dinner (nowhere to eat -- pbj and Hammer). Everything has been going okay with his bike mechanically (thanks Acme!), and his nutritional powder drink during the ride has been doing the trick to keep him powering along (thanks Hammer!) Thanks to all who are posting support -- it is a great motivator for him. Also, the donations are rolling in -- thanks to all! Please email me at wjmcmahon@gmail.com with any messages or questions.

Bye Colorado, Hello Nebraska

Hard to see, but check out the shotgun spray in the Welcome to Nebraska sign.

Day 2: Yuma, CO

Pat made it to Yuma, Colorado for Day 2 -- a total of 62 miles, and a ride total of 159 miles thus far. He is staying at a nice family run hotel and looking to get a good big dinner.

Day 1

Pat rode 97 miles on Day 1 from Longmont to Fort Morgan, CO. It was a 9 hour ride, including rest stops. His computer says he averaged about 12.5 mph for the day. He felt pretty good at the end of the day, and a shower (with all his clothes on!) made him feel even better. He got some food and ate more "Hammer" food. He is off for another long ride this morning with the goal of getting to Wray, Colorado at the end of the day.

Mile 52

View of Mile 52, aka Middle of Nowhere

Pat Leaving Longmont

Contrary to the old country song, Pat does manage to get out of Longmont alive.

Journey Begins

(Bill as substitute poster) Pat is off and running; to paraphrase an old philosopher - A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single push of a pedal; we have some photos that we will post later today of Pat leaving Longmont; more later today;

Leaving Home

Finn, Owen, Jeanne and Sean say goodbye to Dad

Contador might be this year's winner, but I'm wearing yellow for Megan and Lance. (Note St. Christopher medallion; thanks Mom)

The Day Before Departure

The bike is loaded up and ready to go. Tomorrow morning I'm heading west to Fort Morgan, CO, and contrary to everything I've read about touring, my first day will be the longest of the two week ride (94 miles). I was thinking of breaking it up into 2 days, but there's really nothing halfway between Longmont and Fort Morgan.