Eads, CO.

The skyscrapers of the plains...grain elevators and water towers.

To Eads, CO.

Karoo? No, eastern Colorado.

Colorado

As I enter Colorado, a last note on Kansas wind. It really wasn't too bad. It blew mostly from the side or from behind. Perhaps we were just lucky. May our luck continue! You've seen how straight the Kansas roads are, well just past that next road sign there is a bend in the road! Yippee! I like Colorado already.

Goodbye Kansas

I remember how Kansas greeted us with a terrible headwind, and the wind blew every day, but today Kansas blew us into Colorado on a near perfect day for cycling. It was cool, cloudy with a little drizzle, no traffic and a tailwind.
The best part was that I could put my phone under the barbag cover and follow the live text commentary on planetrugby.com of the Springboks vs British & Irish Lions rugby game being played in Durban, South Africa. It was amazing cruising along this deserted road in Kansas and almost being able to see the flags waving and hear Kings Park echoing with cries of "BEEEAST" with the Boks on their way to victory. When it got down to extra time I couldn't keep one eye on the road any longer and had to stop and pull off the road. It was a bit naelskraap in the end! Well done Bokke!!
You gotta love modern technology.

Cattle truck

Out of Scott City this morning there was the strange sight of pro-life billboards proclaiming, 'Life is Sacred, Choose Life' while every few minutes one of these evil looking trucks came hurtling past taking another load of cattle from the many feed yards to slaughter. Some life more sacred than others? And, no, I'm not a vege. But when I tuck into that next steak I'll think twice about where it came from. It's going to take a lot of Kansas wind to get the stench of those feed yards and cattle trucks out of my nostrils.

To Tribune, KS

You know how hard the wind blows across Kansas when even the trees in the road signs are leaning over!

To Scott City, KS.

The infamous west wind blew in our faces today. Plus we had to contend with cattle trucks and a couple of huge tractors.

To Ness City, KS.

One of the many old timber railway bridges on the line heading west.

To Ness City

New York Bob enjoying the flat road. Although it seems flat, the route from east to west Kansas is a long gentle climb.

To Larned, KS.

The bizarre Kansas phenomenon of oil rigs amongst the crops. Just when you're pedaling along enjoying the fresh country air, you get a lungfull of sulphury gas and yukky oil.

Sterling, KS.

The tranquill city park where we were going to spend the night, until a severe storm and tornado warning was issued. The police organised that the grade school a couple of blocks away be opened for us to take shelter in. We did get some of the big storm but not the tornado.

To Sterling, KS.

I could be touring through the Free State! Wagons, maize, co-ops even Van Buuren St. Except there's wheat here too and the trains still run.

Buhler, KS

Hey, look who I found wondering around in Buhler, Kansas.

To Newton, Ron

Recumbent Ron cruising with the tail wind.

Casoday

We stopped at this cool store for a lunch break. This handsome rooster was keeping a beady on Tom's peanut butter sandwich.

Flint Hills

The high open prairie of the Flint Hills left no place to hide from the wind. It felt like 09 Argus all over again! This is Tom passing me while I took a break. Luckily the route turned and the wind shifted so we had a sweet 30 mile run home with the wind at our backs.

To Newton

Had to get an early start to get through some of the 75 miles today to avoid spending too much time in the afternoon heat.

To Eureka, KS.

Unlike in Europe where church spires mark the next town, the rural American skyline is dominated by water towers. This old one is at the town of Toronto where we had coffee after riding through rain for a couple hours. It was sunny from here to our overnight destination of Eureka. The Kansas winds were favourable today and blew at our backs...sweet.

Chanute, KS

It's no problem if you miss a turn in Kansas. The Kansas maps look like a city grid, so it's really easy to get back on route. Today was the first day I didn't use 1st gear!

Pittsburg, KS.

I don't think Kansas wants us here, the headwind tried to blow us back to Missouri. We were meant to be camping but with a severe storm warning out I'm glad we were booked into a motel.

Heading for Kansas

Halfway through today's 69 mile ride the landscape changed. The Missouri roller coaster ended and the flat corn fields started. It feels like being home riding through the Free State, but with Durban's humidity.

Cooky's Cafe

Cooky's Cafe in Golden City (actually a klein dorpie) has been renowned for their pie since the 1940's. They all looked so yummy it wasn't easy deciding. I eventually chose the Dutch blueberry pie and ice cream, mmmm.

Ash Grove, MO. storm

The last few afternoons have followed the same pattern: after the midday heat and humidity the storm clouds start gathering. The final 10 miles or so each day invariably turn into a race to the finish to beat the looming thunderstorms. I feel like a cyclist on the Tour who is in a lone breakaway with an angry peleton in persuit.

Keeping track of the family.

Saw this on a car window outside a convenience store at an intersection in the back of beyond Missouri farmland. Looks a bit like the number of hits that fighter pilots mark on their jets.

To Ash Grove, MO.

The gentle rollers made for pleasant riding this morning. The afternoon's road looked more like the Big Dipper!

Marshfield, MO.

Another pretty city park for us to camp in. No sooner had our tents dried out after we pitched, and the afternoon thunderstorm arrived. New York Bob and I were on cooking duty tonight. But after an exhausting 64 mile ride, dinner was a simple throw in the pot and heat up meatballs with canned sloppy joe sauce and rice. We didn't slum it totally, we also had salad and dessert.

To Houston, Mo.

The lookout tower at Flatrock. Yes, I climbed to the top. It was swaying in the breeze. After looking down from up there I know why I never fancied trying bungi jumping. The panoramic view was great though.

Horsebox

$80 000 will buy you one of these with luxury accomodation up front and two stables at the back. And this was not the biggest one! They hitch onto the load bed of the big American 4x4's.

Eminence, Mo.

Our campsite for two nights on the Jack's Fork river.

Eminence, Mo.

The laundromat is the only place in town with wifi, so guess where the transamers were hanging out.

To Lesterville

You can get almost anything at a country has station. There goes the beer truck with our after ride refreshments.

Farmington Mo.

Ingo making frikadels (yes, they also call them that in Germany) while Bill learns how and Adam and Chris working through their novels.

To Farmington Mo.

Now that we've crossed the Mississippi we are truly heading out west. The big roller coaster continues into Missouri. The route notes correctly described the ups and downs as unrelenting. You fly down one side at up to 40 mph and crawl up the next one at 4 mph. To add to the fun we got thoroughly drenched by heavy rain. Today's roads were in much better condition than what we rode on in Illinois.

Crossing the Mississippi

Our police escourt waiting to take us across the narrow bridge.

Popeye

E. C. Segar, creator of Popeye, was from Chester.

Popeye

Popeye is big in Chester. But I couldn't find spinach on the menu of the Eagles club where we ate.

Chester

Our tents huddled around the shelter in Cole Memorial Park.

Chester, Il

Wonder if we'll be eating spinach tonight?

To Carbondale

Check out these stunners I saw on the way to a rest day in Carbondale

Dixon County State Park

After struggling up the last climb of day, paradise appeared in the form of a chocolate and ice cream factory. Yummy! Our camping for the night was in the state park across the state road.

Ohio River boat

10 of us crammed our bikes, and ourselves, onto the river taxi for the 10 mile trip down the Ohio from Elizabethtown to Golkonda. The others that were cycling ahead missed out on the fun. It doesn't always pay off to be the leader of the pack.

Elizabethtown

Bake sale on Main St. Eating pizza while selling cookies and getting the truck drivers to honk their horns.

Ohio River

Taking the ferry across the Ohio River from Kentucky to Illinois.

Marion KY

Our camping spot in Marion's park. I'll remember this town because a stranger offered us a ride to get our groceries, which was heaven sent after a long ride and I'm on cooking duty too! And then we asked the ladies at the tuckshop for the little league softball game next to where we are camped if we could use their sink to wash our dishes, and they not only welcomed us in, but did our dishes too! These acts of kindness from strangers totally overshadows the fact that we have no showers here and are all a bit sweaty and smelly!

To Marion

Had 70 miles to Marion today. But with views like this, it was a good day. And no afternoon storm!

Green river

Coal barges on the Green river

To Marion

Morning light across the wheat fields.