On paper this is the easiest ride so far. But in a single word, the ride was: BRUTAL!!! We were on a straight as an arrow highway 54 going North-Northeast to Dalhart. The wind was out of the North Northeast...and it was blowing! We had headwinds for 96 miles non-stop. Let me repeat that, we had very strong headwinds the entire 96 miles! And the last 30 miles had 30mph winds with even higher gusts. It was so brutal that 2 riders abandoned. If the winds had been favorable, this might have been a pleasant ride. Instead, the only notable event of the ride was that we entered our 4th state...Texas. Tomorrow we pass through Oklahoma as we head to overnight stop in Liberal, Kansas. But chances are good that we will have the same headwinds.....all day long!