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.