About 40 miles into today's ride, a group of 5 riders including myself neared the notorious Red River. The river that UT and OU fight over every year. As we approached, our pulls got shorter and our speed decreased in anticipation for the mad dash to be the first one out of Texas. About 200m away, we all went for it. Paul, the strongest sprinter, turned out to be too strong for his own good. As he pushed as hard as he could, his chain slipped off and he took a fall. But dont count old Paul out yet. We all skidded to a stop and helped Paul get fixed up. When he was reoriented, he remembered his intentions: Get across the border before anyone else. So he jumped up and ran to the border.

We stopped for lunch in Madill, OK. Some nice workers at a salvage yard brought us out some chairs and a table to use right there on the side of the road. We shared with them some Cancer prevention pamphlets, sunscreen, and great bbq potatoes that Mrs. Pirkle made us for lunch.

After lunch Paul, John, and I broke away, and pushed through the final 20 miles as fast as we could. During this strenuous pace, I felt Mrs. Pirkle's homemade bbq sauce running through my veins.

We arrived here in Ardmore to a wonderful staff at the local YMCA. They have opened their facilities to us and made us feel at home. I had a wonerful swim. We are headed over the the hospital across the street in a few, so I have to go.

I ride in awe of this wonderful country~~MZW