Today I left the South Platte and mostly followed a smaller drainage on the Lodgepole. There were slight hills getting to the drainage but mostly a very gradual climb to over 4000ft. This is a dry country so less humid and unless irrigated seems to grow low grasses.

As I’ve cycled west, the high temperatures are just slightly less and the humidity as well. Today was 52 miles but still comfortable when I arrived.

Morning at my truck stop motel. Trucks are fueling up and getting on the road.

Back to US 30 where the destinations are listed. Chappell (population ~1k) and Sidney (population ~6k). Wide open country. Fortunately, not as much wind today.

Communication tower on top of a small hill.

Sunflowers never get old.

Chappell at mile 24. Stopped here for a bite to eat.

Two things I’ve noticed about these very small towns. The first is the addition of Dollar General even in small towns.

The second is closing of the very small motels in favor of ones along the major roads, e.g. interstates. Now the Empire Motel looks like it has seen better days, but closed three years ago.

Downtown mural.

Town of Lodgepole and a brief stop.

Sunol an even smaller settlement.

Hooray, reached Sidney.

Sidney has a nice bicycle shop, Pedalers Corner. I was impressed with some of the touring related items they had such as a fiber-fix spoke and some good tires. They may be the only bicycle shop for 100+ miles on US 30 (with Cheyenne to the west and North Platte to the east). Seems like they have something not only for the local populace but also for cyclists coming through. They also had a charging station and some water out.

I arrived a little after noon and despite a slightly longer ride than the last two days, it was still comfortable of ~93F. I think I’ve slowly been escaping the heat dome and also slowly getting to areas that are drier than further east. Also the winds were more mixed today and not as strong.