June 1, 2018 Alanreed, TX to Sayre, OK

67.53 miles....I was on the road at 7:15, trying to beat what will be record setting heat in this area. Somewhere around 104-107. There was actually dew on my bike and the Rv. It's been a long time since I've experienced that! The temps where in the low 70's, and the wind was cool for the first hour, and I was making really good time, because the stiff southernly breeze was pushing me in the back, ever so slightly. The shoulders on I 40 continued to be really nice, and US66 was still just to my right. I actually was on 66 for three or four miles through 'downtown' Alanreed. Let's just say it was very rural, with plackard's on the abandoned buildings that were relevant to old 66.
I was twelve miles into a nice ride when the wheels came off. Literally. It started with my fourth flat of the trip, for no obvious reason. I changed that out with relative ease and was on my way. Less than a mile up the road, something broke in my back tire ( either a brake pad or the rear wheel axle. The back wheel popped off, was locked up by a brake arm that stuck between the spokes, and it brought me to a skidding , abrupt halt. Fortunately, I got my right foot unclipped and saved what could have been a real disaster. At that point, I was ready to pronounce this trip as dead. I called Pam, told her to come and get me, and bring some tools. I mean, I WAS DONE. Somehow I composed myself, rigged up my back axle, which is still very loose. I'm not sure if it will stay together till I find a bike shop or not. I took off one brake pad, so I am riding with no back brakes. The arm which holds the pad is totally bent. I decided to try to ride a little longer, and see if the axle would hold. It did. So did the wind, but it remained more of a help than a hinderence.
Pam was fantastic throughout all this. Running to my rescue, and playing leapfrog with me just in case anything failed, for the rest of the ride. It was also nice to have a nice, cold, soaking wet shirt to put on every 15-20 miles. I think the little breaks, and the wet shirts helped me beat the hellatious heat. When I finished I really felt pretty good, leg wise, and heat effect wise. Pam is a lifesaver. I would be up sh$t Creek if I was doing this trip solo, like the last two.
I didn't make it to my goal city, because of the breakdown, but I've still done about 250 miles in three days. Now, tommorow is forcasted for the wind to change to the north, on the day we are making the turn to head more north. And better yet, it's supposed to be steady at 30mph, gusting to 40. I don't want to ride into a headwind like that, and Pam has concerns driving the Rv into that, so it looks like we sit for a day. I've researched bike shops in the area, so I may throw the bike on the back of the Jeep, and see what I can do about patching it up.
After getting a cool shower, we headed through town, and found a Denny's at the Flying J truck stop for a t bone, eggs and hash browns....and a milkshake. Now to sleep, and see if the forcasted rain hits us.