Falls City, Neb. ? Susan Smith, of Lawrence, one of the 193 cyclists on the Border Raiders bicycle tour who will travel 400 miles in eight days, says there are three main components of a bicyclist’s day: “You bike, you eat and you sleep.”

Despite encountering tough hills and high temperatures on Saturday and Sunday, some cyclists will tell you that the hardest of these is sleeping.

“Poor to horrible,” said Steve Ficke, Clay Center, as he wrapped up his sleeping pad Sunday and described his night in the stuffy, unair-conditioned gym at Maur Hill Prep School in Atchison.

It’s just before dawn and cyclists are packing their gear in the dark gym, some with small flashlights in their mouth so they can use both hands.

Ben Sulzen, 12, one of the younger riders, sits on the floor of the gym lobby and slowly ties his shoes. “I didn’t sleep very well,” he said. “It probably took me two hours to fall asleep.”

Mary Corcoran and her father, Paul Corcoran, both of Lawrence, lay outside on soft 8-inch-high air mattresses, an almost cool breeze blowing over them.

“It was great,” Mary said with a smile.

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“It was beautiful,” Paul said as he got up and stretched his arms high above his head. Mary is the official photographer for the tour and Paul is one of the organizers.

After setting up route markers late the night before the two chose to sleep outside. Even a rooster crowing at dawn didn’t bother Mary.

“I’d just throw the pillow over my head,” she said.

The signs the Corcorans put up directed cyclists to Falls City, Neb., 57 miles away, for Sunday night. Today’s route is 74 miles to Nebraska City, Neb.