29 June 2012

Larned to Ness City KS 64 miles (TransAm 1,969)

According to Gina, besides trying to get cows to moo back at you, there is really only one other thing to do to entertain yourself when you are cycling 305 miles on a straight stretch of road through western Kansas: practice your wave.

For starters, there is the Queen of England wave – the slightly cupped hand, fingers together, fluid motion back and forth, stately regal royal wave. This is used primarily to greet the women drivers passing by. For men in trucks, there is the Hey wave – palm remaining on the steering wheel (handlebars), wrist flicking upwards, quick flash of four fingers, back to the wheel (bars), let’s say hello but not get too friendly wave. Passing motorcycle? The Two-Wheeled Brotherhood wave – arm outstretched, angling toward the ground, fingers throwing the peace sign, we are family wave. And for the big rig guys with their 18-wheelers? The Blow That Air Horn wave, of course. This is the classic raise your arm into the air, hand in a vertical fist as though grabbing a rope, pumping downward twice, I’m A Kid on a Road Trip wave. Actually, this is not so much a wave as a gesture. And speaking of, there is one more wave, reserved for the passing jerks and jugheads who refuse to give a gal some room – one select finger, shaken, not stirred.