The past 3 days certainly had its ups and downs figuratively and as a matter of fact very literally as well. A couple of days ago we were in a town by the name of North Platte. The day started off kinda slow, to the point where we got on the road around 11 or 12 instead of 7. I’ve learned that the later you start the less enjoyable the day becomes as it gets hotter, and hotter, and probably a little bit hotter as the miles tick down from 70. We finally arrived in a town called Paxton around 2 30 only 40 miles from North Platte, not a usual stopping point for our days. It was hot humid day with a huge head wind that made cycling even more unpleasant.
On this day though we lucked out by meeting a nice lady named Jessie Bergen who’s family was known as the “Biker family”. Before even knowing our names or introducing herself she offered to let us wash our clothes, shower, and even pitch our tent in her yard if we wanted to and of course after not so much consideration we decided to take the nice offer. We figured it might be nice to meet and hang out with some new people and it definitely turned out to be a good bargain. This town of less than 500 actually turned out to be quite the place with its beautiful scenery, atmosphere, and it’s 3 bars located directly next to each other on what seemed to be the only intersection in town. We actually came to the location of Nebraskas most famous bar. The previous owner apparently opened it on the night that prohibition ended and was quite an adventurer himself. Although he enjoyed a different type of adventure (hunting across the globe) he did all this when modern technology wasnt around. There was a stuffed Polar Bear in the bar!! It was CRAZY!
As the day progressed we got to know the Bergens quite well, a warm friendly family who love riding bikes. I got quite inspired myself by the dad of the family, Matt who loved reading blogs especially about this endurance race from canada to mexico all along the continental divide. Got me thinking on these long long days.
The next day, aftering having been fed well (STEAKS! Thanks Jessie), taken out to the local night scene which was awesome, we left Paxton for what ended up to be a very long day on the bikes. Under the impression that the Bergens were going to join us on part of our cycle to Ogalalla we waited an extra 20 minutes or so, but I guess it seemed like a better idea the night before and not the morning after. Something I’m pretty familiar with…sleep is heaven on earth.
That morning I left Paxton behind kinda like I left Perry, Oklahoma behind. I didn’t want to leave just yet! But duty called, and we have to get to Alaska some time this year. None the less, I found myself another new family in Paxton, named the Bergens.
(Wish I had gotten a picture!)
dirk, sorry we miised you guys in the am, jessie got up & saw the tent gone at 6 am & thought you left, bet you were packing in the garage yet when she came back to bed. Glad to see you made it to bridgeport, I should’nt have doubted you, truly inspiring! Best of luck in the rest of your adventure & stop & see us anytime your adventuring back through western nebraska for a steak & cold pbr!
Thanks matt! Yeah it was one of those dreadful days on the bike. We’re in Casper Wyoming now getting ready for another 100 mile or so stretch b.c we were told by anotehr cyclist that there was nothing there! haha. Same goes for you guys btw, if you’re in orlando, we’ll take you to those awesome college bars i was telling you about. Cant get any more classy than that. Thanks again, our friends and family cant believe how generous the people that we meet have been to us!