OK & KS - Day 6

Delightful Northern Oklahoma & Challenging Kansas: A Rider's Tale 🏍️🌾

Who knew what a pleasure riding in northern OK would be?! With rolling hills, smooth roads, long sweepers, and stunning farmland views, Rte 11 and 99 through Osage County, OK is a rider’s delight. The day’s warm, dry air made for superb riding and a much-needed break from the recent precipitation.

Riding in Kansas, on the other hand, is motorcycle hell! It’s as though the arbitrary state border between OK and KS marks where the high winds will begin.

With a constant stream of wind coming from the south, traveling northbound on Rte 99 created a tailwind that I was oblivious to until I peeked at the odometer, which indicated I was traveling 90+ mph while the engine was practically sleeping.

However, when I turned westward on Rte 400, that tailwind turned into a solid, stiff crosswind pushing and tugging at me on my left side. The wind felt like an invisible hand trying to pull me off the bike and push my bike over simultaneously. Passing tracker trailers threw me around, and taking shelter behind the windshield provided minimal relief.

After riding 55 miles through these conditions, I arrived at another aunt’s house in Wichita. My timing was perfect because I showed up for my cousin’s high school graduation party in the afternoon and celebrated life with fresh margaritas in the evening. 🍹🎉

Life is good! 😎