Tully Travels _Official

Leaving the lovely Limon and the Bontrager family, heavy legs, Colorado has aggressive speedy drivers. Plenty of breaks, and a good shower of rain, loads of moths around and arriving in Centennial to my relations house. Also spoke with the wonderful woman that is Ellie Bontrager in Limon who hosted me, rescued me. We talk about how she ended up in Limon coming from Florida originally, her interest in music, her visits to Ireland and some words to live by.

Late enough start, doddled too much, lunch bought in Stratton for me. Difficult gravel roads, strong head winds, attempted hitchhiking, a friendly state trooper and amazing Warmshowers host whom came to save me.

*DISCLAIMER: there is explicit content such as swear words, these might be offensive to some listeners* Late start, roasting heat, biggest Easel in the world. A new hat, left Kansas and entered into Colorado state. Thrilled and sad and feeling lonely not being able to share times with others. Trouble in Burlington with accommodation, plan for the next few days, into the last third of the journey.

Massive day of milage, Downs to Colby. On Highway 24 for the most of the day, gradual hills, flash showers, a nap, and nice encounter with a stanger in Hoxie, cycling in the dark, a lightening show. And I spoke with Shane Sword from Hoxie whom runs the store ‘Red’s’ a very kind, and inspiring man whom hasn’t had it easy. We talk like, America, and words to live by… and ice cream.

One of the highlight days of the journey so far, meeting Ron and Linda Foster, the great people of Miltonvale. Lovely cycle towards Cawker City, seeing the world’s biggest bail of twine and getting help to find accommodation from a stranger named Linda Miller in Downs Kansas.

Easy day leaving Manhattan, too much coffee, hot weather, dusty roads, meeting Ron and giving him a hand in his bike shop and discussing a previous Warmshowers guest they had called Monika Wagner. Spoke with my hosts Ron and Linda Foster about live, moving around, cycling trips they’ve done and the good work they both do in the community of Miltonvale with their bike shop.

Good day, left Topeka to Manhattan, Kansas. Lots of fields and light winds, huge petrol station, expensive deodorant and closed roads. Got walking on the train tracks and back on the road. Spoke to Carol Sevin, originally from North Carolina but now living in Manhattan Kansas.

Few bits done and seen in Kansas, relaxing time to myself. Post office, late start and big heat. Rolling hills. A nice stranger Carol whom gave me water, and a stranger allowing me to camp in their back garden, working towards the next goal of the journey and days and time left.

Tinkering with the bike, getting the train to Kansas, fixing the bike with a new wheel and a few other bits. Meeting my Warmshowers host, a folk concert, BBQ meat, Boulevard Brewery and beers by the fire pit. I also spoke with my host Richie Wolfe about life, his cycling trips he’s done himself and words to live by.

1/2 Marathon walking the bike, some interactions along the way. No room for the bike on the train, beers and pizza, patience wearing thin with a young fella in the motel, tubes patched and washing done for another week. Thanks and acknowledgments for all the support and messages.

Left late as I was very tired, had a good breakfast and back on the Katy trail. Got talking to some people apart from the blonde lady. Thankful for Corey and James for helping me. Talking to lovely Lee from Herman, my Warmshowers host.

Early start at my hosts house with a lovely breakfast. Monotonous cycle throwing the hand up at times. Unknown family in Colorado. Amazing dessert and cold showers. Tired enough but the chickens were not. Had a chat with Sean Lowery from St. Louis, sound sound host, tour of the city and pizza and beers for the night.

Slow day, late start. Leaving the wonderful St Louis, Katy Trail from now until Kansas, Pizza is Mathasville. Boys dressed as girls and fussy customers. Spoke at length with my Bloomington host Kellie Williams about life, figuring out teaching wasn’t for her very quickly, her love of cycling, the amount of places she’s been in America and her words to live by is “don’t wait”.

Big day of milage, Springfield to St Louis, country roads, bike trails a puncture in Litchfield, the amazing man that is Don from Rebuilt Bikesshop, arriving in St Louis and getting the tour from my Warmshowers host Sean, stranger buying me ice cream and pizza and beer in the Irish corner bar. Also spoke with fellow Killasser Swinford man Tom Horkan in Chicago. We talked all things life, reasons for moving to Chicago, a day that sticks out in his mind and how he’s settled into the sports there aswell.

Lovely stay in Bloomington, cycling on the old route 66, big dream of mine, alot of engagements with strangers along the way, catch up with one of my siblings and exploring Abraham Lincoln’s home town of Springfield. Also on this episode I chatted with the legend that is Sinead Gallagher from Tipperary that’s based in Chicago. We talk all things Chicago, how time is flying, her favourite place in America other than Chicago and the amount of J1’ers she’s seen and met over the years being involved with McBrides GAA club in Chicago.