Day Nine Statistics:

Elapsed Time (ET): 12:00:00

Distance (DST): 118.9 Miles

Average Speed (AVG): 11.7 MPH

Riding Time (RT): 10:08:29

Maximum Speed (MAX): 30.5 MPH

Odometer (ODO): 22,624.1 Miles

Temperature (Fahrenheit): 70-95

Wind Direction and Speed: South 5-15+

Cities Traveled Through: Homer, Winnebago, Macy, Tekamah, Herman, Blair, Fort Calhoun, Nashville, Omaha, Bellevue

Motel: None

Comments: Today started off as a beautiful morning. Although the wind was in my face for the sixth time in the first nine days, it didn't start out too strong and I was able to put in about 30 miles before it picked up a bit more. However, as I made it near Tekamah, the temperature really started to heat up. I drank about 80 oz. of liquids within a 12 mile stretch. As I progressed further, the conditions remained hot. It was absolutely miserable. My backpack made things worse since it heated my back. In addition, it put way too much pressure on my back. When I got to Blair, I noticed that my back tire was wobbling back and forth from left to right. I saw a bike shop in Blair called Wilke's Bike, but I think it was closed down, because when I checked it out, all there was was a bunch of clothing stuff. It was very discouraging. I had meant to get my kickstand checked out in Sioux City, but never did since I would have had to ride all the way back into town. Therefore, the kickstand continued to hit the back spokes causing one to break. I am really tired of all my bike problems recently. I am beginning to think I should have brought my old mountain bike. That hardly ever has problems like this. Anyway, I finally made it in to Omaha and went through about 10 or 15 miles of town on terrible sidewalks in sweltering heat. Every bit of shade that I could stand in for a few seconds was paradise. I couldn't go very fast since I only had one brake that was on since I had to take my back brake off due to the tire rubbing on it. I finally made it to a relative's house in Bellevue. I hope to get the bike checked tomorrow. I hope I can get rid of some of my stuff in my backpack too.

Photos