From the band Tragically Hip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCFo0a8V-Ag

The 100th meridian is a traditional dividing line between a more humid east and a semi-arid west. To the east homesteaders sometimes worried about clearing their homesteads of trees. To the west, the worry was more about having enough land/water to graze some cattle. Water law, homestead practices and other areas adjusted appropriately.

In 2018, I celebrated the 100th meridian by cycling US 83 which is not far from the meridian. On my ride I’ve already crossed the 100th a few weeks ago in my cycling on US 83 in the Dakotas. Cozad is along the 100th and my motel is on meridian avenue.

Today wasn’t as hot as I expected, but I also was on the road early and kept going to avoid riding too much in the afternoon. There was a light headwind the last 15 miles but I still didn’t stop to read historical signs. Otherwise the route was straightforward: follow US 30 past Elm Creek and Lexington to Cozad. I am definitely in areas where crops (mostly corn) are irrigated.

Early morning light leaving Kearney. It was already ~70F and felt humid. However, the temperature really didn’t rise much the next hour or two.

A rhino pulling a covered wagon?

The agenda laid out: Elm Creek and Lexington today and North Platte after that. Occasional trees but not many.

Elm Creek, population 979.

The grain elevator. I stopped briefly here for a stop.

I counted eleven trains today. The rail line is very active.

Another train.

Lexington was slightly larger at ~10k people. This had been my backup plan if it was extremely hot, but this wasn’t necessary. I did start riding more slowly because of a head wind. I also made a quick detour to a pharmacy in Lexington because my helmet strap came undone and wouldn’t hold up as easily. I worked a combination of super glue and safety pin that should hold from here.

I reached Cozad just past noon, but then had a slow lunch to avoid showing up at the motel extremely early. A straightforward ride: flat, good shoulder and closing against the wind.

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