Day 26 - Wed, June 4 - Abilene, KS to Topeka, KS - 106 Miles - 6200 climbing feet

Today was considered a "big" day as we rode 106 miles while climbing 6200 feet of rolling hills - and we passed the half-way point of our tour.

We Midwesterners (and New Yorkers) agreed that today's century ride (100 miles or over) was our kind of century and that we knew how to pace ourselves in order to finish without bonking (running out of energy). Today's ride was exactly the same type of rolling hills terrain (and humidity) that I would expect on a similar ride at home in southeast central Iowa. We had moderate headwinds of 12-18 mph for about two-thirds of the day and a similar tailwind for the remaining one-third as we made many turns and curves throughout the day. The locals told us that it was only 86 miles from Abilene to Topeka by Interstate highway so we added another 20 miles on by avoiding the Interstate. We are not able to use Interstate highways anymore as we were able to do in the West. Out West the Interstate may be the only way to go between two cities while in the Midwest and East, there are alternate routes.




The photo above shows a large flock of sheep grazing. Kansas has been getting a lot of rain and our entire trip today was very green and luscious.


This field of soybeans was the best that I have seen so far in our journey into the Midwest. Many fields appear to be wet and unplanted.


Our first sag stop at 35 miles in Katy Park of White City.


This litter of seven week old puppies were very popular during our sag stop. Several puppies are out of view


These cattle grazing under a tree are smarter than we are - they know where it is cool.


This photo shows a large herd of buffalo. A few miles further down the road we also saw a herd of Elk.


The rural roads had very little traffic on them and the rolling hills were fun although the flat-landers did not think much of them.


We passed many farm and acreage ponds today and also this lake community.


Nearing the end of the day's ride with thirteen miles left to Topeka.


This was, by far, the best field of corn that I have seen so far during our tour.


Just outside of Topeka was this acreage ranch. We passed many very nice acreages on the outskirts of Topeka - similar to what I would expect to see in my home community in Iowa.

Tomorrow we ride from Topeka, KS, to St. Joseph, MO, - a distance of 85 miles with 3400 feet of climbing.

Bye for now and thanks for the comments,

Bob