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Day 15
H2O everywhere

ROUTE: Abilene to Topeka KS	DISTANCE: 108 miles	WINDS: Southerly 10-15
WEATHER: Cloudy but dry!	TERRAIN: Rolling to hilly	TOTAL CLIMBING: 2980 feet

DAILY REPORT: Boy, did yesterday wear us out. I think everyone was really looking forward to getting to Topeka...a day off...what's that? We woke early to another forecast of rainy and possibly stormy weather but luckily that never materialized. We were just at the back of the front that's been sitting on top of us for the last couple days. We were dry at departure, but I couldn't believe after the last couple days that we would stay dry all day...but we did!

The first order of business was breakfast. We walked across the street to a bowling alley...yes a bowling alley for a hearty breakfast before loading and departing on wet streets. A couple of riders thought it might be more productive to stay and roll a couple lines in the relative comfort of indoors but the stale smell of smoke made them reconsider...rain or stale air...rain or stale air...we'll take our chances with the rain.

The streets were wet, but the skies seemed to be tame if you remembered yesterday. At departure, the winds were very light and as they picked up in the late morning, they were never more than a direct cross while most of the time being a nice tail wind. We needed this relatively easy day.

Our route today was still in Kansas, but you couldn't prove it by what we've been riding through the last few days. Gone are the rolling wheat fields for as far as the eye could see and the flat terrain was gone too. Eastern Kansas is one of my favorite areas to ride as the terrain rolls and vast rolling pastureland dominates the scenery. I think if I had to use one word to describe today it would have to be the word "green." Every time we come through here everyone is amazed at how green the foliage is in this area, but today green came all the way to the highway. If I didn't use green, I'd use the word "wet." They've had so much rain over the last few days that everywhere we looked we saw flooded fields or streams. It's going to take them several weeks before they can get into their fields to do any farming. One house we passed even had to take a boat to get from the highway to their house. I'm not sure what they did when they got out to the street...their cars were stranded beside their house (left).

All the talk of the day was how beautiful the terrain was in this part of the state and with the favoring winds, everyone was just grooving in the moment. With the favorable conditions, everyone was in my 4:00 or so and quickly started finding bike shops or hitting the indoor pool...a head start on a little time off. But before everyone scattered to the four corners, we had to rap and say good-bye to Kate. It is sad to see her go as she is a part of our cross country family, but she only planned to ride to Topeka. We wished her well and then discussed our ride out on Wednesday. Yep, Wednesday...tomorrow we'll enjoy a much needed day off but we'll be up and at it again come mid week. I think everyone is ready for some time off the bike. I hope they don't line up at the van tomorrow morning to load luggage. They are in a habit pattern you know. I know I'm looking forward to a restful day tomorrow...we'll need it as we start our second half of our adventure. Hopefully, we can dry out a bit and have some favorable weather for our move onto Amesbury.

All in all it was a great day...we stayed dry, we got fed, we rode our bicycles, and we had favorable winds. What else could you ask for. There will be no web page on our day off...the next page will be on Wednesday. Thanks for following our progress on the first half of our journey. Until we report our next day, I hope you'll join us again...have a great day. M

DID I REALLY SAY THAT?:

"You really need to get out and ride Mikie."

"I haven't had a flat all day!!!"
"Psssssssssssssssst."
"Never mind."

"Did you see the cows moooooooooving across the pasture?"

"I lost me Puff today." Evidently a British phrase referring to a lack of energy.

"Do we have any of that stuff...DW-04 or whatever?"
"What? You can't spell WD-40?"

"What? No rain today? And I was all dressed for moisture."

"I'm even having flats in the motel room. There must be stuff in the carpet."

DID I REALLY DO THAT?:

Shane and I swapped off at the last SAG so I could ride a bit. I have been in the van for the last two days with all the weather affecting us so he felt sorry for me and encouraged me to get out and spin my legs. I reluctantly got out and mustered all my energy for a short 34 mile ride into the motel. All was well until Shane was almost through for the day and noticed he didn't have his bike in the van...where could it be? He'd inadvertently left it at the SAG standing near a tree. Luckily Barbara had barely noticed it as she was driving away from the SAG...not knowing it was Shane's, she was wondering how could someone have left their bike? What would she find up the road...someone walking? She could understand someone leaving a water bottle, but a bike?

That's OK Shane, you won't need it anyway. The weather looks better so I'll be riding for the next few days.

DID I REALLY SEE THAT?
There are more hazards out here than we can count. Here the bicycle chomping metal monster gobbles up another passing bicycle. The rider didn't wait around to see the results.	You might ask, "Does the wind blow here?" From the looks of this windmill, I'd say the answer is...most likely.
We're all tired, but even Bill's saddle is droopy.	Finally, we get to use some different muscles...that flat terrain we've ridden the last few days has made us butt sore.
Brian has had several flats the last couple days but he's ready for the last half of the ride. He bought every Armidillo that Capp's Bike shop had on the shelf. That should get him at least to luggage load on Wednesday.	I'm trying to figure out how many mechanics it takes to put Jud's bike back together. Shane, I'm not sure you should have let him turn that.

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