MAY 2015 • NEBRASKAland 21
their home in Columbus that morning.
Carine Stava and her husband, Larry,
from Bennington, who would follow
us in their truck and camper, arrived
in Norfolk the night before. Kathy
Wiegert, Verna Simons, Amanda
Warrick and her two young sons,
Devyn and Tyson, from Norfolk would
ride with us part of the way. Nancy
Schucker came out from Battle Creek
to make the journey with us as far as
O'Neill.
Jim had several panniers filled with
essentials and his tent strapped to
his Surly Long Haul Trucker touring
bicycle. He told me he was carrying
70 pounds. I could tell Jim was a little
worried, which made me doubt the
Burley Nomad trailer attached to my
own bicycle. I had clothes for both
warm and cold weather, two camera
bodies and lenses, a two-man tent for
Jamie and me, sleeping bag, sleeping
pad, snacks, emergency food, toiletries,
a first-aid kit, extra water and other
camp supplies. Bob and Jamie were
also hauling trailers behind their bikes.
Except for Carine, none of us had
outside support to carry gear, which we
later realized was a big mistake.
After saying goodbyes to our
significant others, we were on the trail
shortly after 8 a.m. Jamie and I told
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission outdoor educator Jamie Bachmann and Jim Kropatsch ride across the 145-foot tall bridge
near Long Pine.
