"I NEVER CONSIDERED A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION IN POLITICS, IN RELIGION, IN PHILOSOPHY, AS CAUSE FOR WITHDRAWING FROM A FRIEND" (Thomas Jefferson) Today's ride was almost a straight line due north east and all on Route 70. We rode on a good shoulder beside fast traffic. The surface was mostly OK, but had some patches with road debris. I had my first flat of the trip. There were a lot of flats today. Winds were mostly favorable. The surrounding country was wide open and the view down the road was never ending. Some one asked about my gearing...I'm using a 50x34 compact with an 11x32 11 cog cassette. I've used them all. As for my fueling while riding; this year I am using orange Gatorade rather than HEED and I've included a picture of my top tube food bag. In it are gum drops, licorice and beef jerky. Clovis is a town of 37,775 people located 4268' above sea level. It was named after the first catholic king of the "Franks" by the daughter of the local station agent who was studying the king. Early Bearing Straits crossers lived here 12,000 years ago. Buddy Holly recorded here in the Norman Petty studio. Tomorrow it's state number four, Texas, as we ride to Amarillo which is on the western edge of the pan handle. The sun is setting now in Clovis. Good night John Boy.