Today was a short ride to a much more relaxing town, Marysville, Kansas. I rode my bicycle on the Pony Express Highway which was the route of the Pony Express. The Express operated from April 1860 to October 1861 until the completion of the telegraph line spelled the doom of the need for the Express. But what an adventurous, and often hazardous event the Express was. The riders were able to average around 10 miles per hour with some stretches an average of 12 miles per hour. Sounds pretty much the same speed I’ve been able to do on a bicycle! Another tid-bit on Marysville: It is also the Black Squirrel capital of the world, with black squirrel statues on many a street corner.
I’m guessing most of the original Pony Express route was on the left. I got to ride the “new” route on the right. Guess which direction had just about every little climb? It was another good day to ride a bicycle; enough wind to keep me cool and enough smooth stretches to keep me cranking right along. I was able to maintain horse speed!
This part of Kansas is also at the cross-roads of two of the early routes from Missouri to the west coast. As I peddle through this part of the country, I often think of those early explorers and then settlers who crossed this land as well as the Native Americans who made this part of America their home for centuries.
I’ll be in Marysville for another day enjoying R&R time!