Like all my days on the road, this one started at a convenience store. I met a great guy who showed a lot of knowledge and enthusiasm for the unicycle. he had seen them on YouTube and was very curious. I know I would have been! We took a picture together. He’s coming on my next ride through Kansas. He speaks the language and knows the customs. He could be my Sacajawea.

Still at the convenience store, I spilled coffee on a nice lady named Keli from Denver. She was taking her daughter and a great group of girls—Aubri, Zaire, and Florida—to a fast-pitch softball tournament in Oklahoma. Even after I doused her with coffee, she was still nice! Go Colorado Hype! I know you’ll win based on the cosmic omen of me spilling coffee on your assistant coach.

*The Denver Hype getting ready to dominate!*

Years ago, a friend and I were pitching restructuring services to a company. We were up against McKinsey, and one of the execs in the room was a former McKinsey guy. I didn’t think we had a shot. When we got back to my car, a homeless man was peeing on it. I looked at my friend and said, “That’s a good sign.” We won the deal.

So, Hype, you’re going to dominate this tournament. I'm reserving blog space to report on your success. You are America’s team. Remember that!

One thing I’ve realized—everything you do in these small towns is noticed. A lady came by where I was standing and said, “I saw you in Grainfield yesterday. My boss saw you in Oakley earlier. And now I’m seeing you here. I hope you’re being safe.”

I started my day in Quinter with the goal of reaching Hays. Both towns are connected by I-70, but I had no desire to ride the interstate. Google routed me via dirt farm roads all the way to Hays. The roads were dry and mostly in great condition. I was able to average over 35 mph nearly the whole way.

As usual, I stopped in each town I passed. I was lucky enough to ride through WaKeeney, KS. It’s a charming little town with a classic main street—and it even has a year-round “North Pole Alley.” I met a local couple taking their grandkids to visit. They looked so young I assumed they were the parents. At the rate I’m going, I’ll be in a diaper by the time I’m a grandparent.

I saw a WaKeeney police officer giving someone a ticket and waited until he finished to ask for a sticker for my helmet. He obliged. Then another police car showed up. Turns out they’d been tracking me since I hit the edge of town. “We saw you come off the dirt road west of town. Then we saw you on Main Street. And now here. What is that thing? How fast does it go?” I answered, “How fast would you like it to go—legally? That’s my answer.” He laughed and said, “That’s a great answer. Really though, what is that? I’ve never seen one.” I got my first Kansas police stickers. Success.

Continuing along the dirt roads, I saw something striking: a long line of massive wind turbines stretching across the horizon. In front of one of them stood a single, old pumpjack. It was surreal to see this aging oil relic surrounded by a new generation of renewable energy giants. Their slow, sweeping blades were mesmerizing.

When I arrived in Hays, I was surprised by how big and modern it was. It had a lot of really nice houses and great stores. If you need it, you can probably find it in Hays. No need to go all the way to Topeka!

The last time I was in Hays was when we were driving back from my grandfather Peach’s funeral. We were in my dad’s gold International Scout with a white racing stripe. The wind was so strong that when he opened the door, it got bent backward from the force. We got the last hotel room in Hays that night.According to ChatGPT:

As of 2023, wind energy accounted for 46% of Kansas's electricity generation, making it the state's largest source of electricity since 2019. Kansas ranked third nationally for wind energy, behind only Iowa and South Dakota.
In 2024, wind’s share increased to 51.9%, surpassing coal (22.4%) and nuclear (15.7%).
By comparison, in California, renewables made up about 36.9% of electricity generation in 2023. Including large hydro and nuclear, the total share of non-carbon-emitting sources rises to 58%.
California’s top renewable is solar (28%), while wind contributes 11.2%.

Bottom line: Kansas gets more electricity from renewable and carbon-free sources than California.

Although I spent most of the day on dirt roads, it was a beautiful one—clear skies, warm temperatures, and just me in body armor and a T-shirt. It made for a great ride.

The last time I was in Hays was when we were driving back from my grandfather Peach’s funeral. We were in my dad’s gold International Scout with a white racing stripe. The wind was so strong that when he opened the door, it got bent backward from the force. We got the last hotel room in Hays that night.

A Dirt Road to Hays

It’s the hearts you touch

Beauty, Tragedy, and Weed