Day 25: Abilene to Topeka, KS

We knew our ride to Topeka was going to be tough.  What I don't think anyone realized was how interesting and eventful it was going to be.  Because we were expecting heat, hills, and big mileage, I didn't plan on taking many photos.  However, sometimes you just have to change your original plan when a different approach is ultimately more satisfying to your spirit.

Our 7am starting time temperature was a very comfortable 68F.  We slowly made our way out of Abilene and then into the surrounding countryside on SR 43S.

Typical road scene early in our ride today on a series of state roads.  Although a paved shoulder was often narrow or nonexistent,  traffic was infrequent and  passing drivers gave us ample room.  

Five young Hereford bulls.  Within seconds after this photo was taken, the one on the far left and the one second from the right each started stomping a hoof and jerking their head down and up quickly while staring at me .
In bull-speak, they are saying "We formally invite you to an ass-kicking party at which you will be the guest of honor."  

Grain elevators still are the dominant structure in each of these small towns.

The "Half Way!" mark was celebrated at the first SAG stop in White City.

Two Red Angus bulls (accompanied by their respective cow harems)

 trash-talking each other with their respective cows providing vocal support.
According to two beef cattle ranchers I spoke with, this discourse was not instigated by our presence.
The fact that it happened when we rode by was "just a coincidence".  

Rural eastern Kansas is starting to resemble southern Michigan.

Abandoned house is now a cow shelter of sorts.  Or a cow fort, if you will.
(photo does not clearly show the 3-4 cows inside)

Another common variation of road topography today -- rolling hills.

A long driveway flanked by fence posts with a different bird house atop each one......

.....and a quilt-like design on the garage similar to the barn quilts in the East.

Long downhills followed by sweeping turns were fun!

Descending near Lake Waubansee before our second SAG in Lakeside.

Interesting building in tiny Eskridge, KS.

(unfortunately the photo didn't capture all the smaller panes of stained glass)

Another quilt-like barn emblem.  I'm more accustomed to seeing either barn (or house) stars or a more classic quilt square
on country buildings in the upper Midwest.  No matter, the art adds interest and feels familiar.

Old barn made of local natural stone.  At some point we turned on a scenic road featuring natural stone of the area.
Instead of dirt and gravel, eroded wounded hillsides revealed countless layers of this geometric shaped rock.

Several years ago, a woman  working at the Sommerset Hall Cafe won the "Country's Best Pie" award, so
many of us stopped for a slice of one of their pies.  We were not disappointed.

Warm peach pie ala mode.  This was the BEST peach pie I've ever eaten and
the best pie crust I've ever seen and tasted.
(sorry Mom and Grandma)

We saw several junk sculptures made, in part, of old bicycles.
This one was across the street from the Sommerset Hall Cafe.

Within just a few miles after leaving the Sommerset Hall Cafe, we turned north into a 20 mph headwind at the same time the terrain became rolling again.  Speeds uphill were barely over 10 mph; speeds downhill were generally 14-16 mph.....as long as you pedaled.  And the temperature and humidity were both well into the 80s.  All together, this made for strenuous cycling from Miles 91 to 101.  But wait, it gets worse.  Around Mile 98, there was a detour for the road we were on and a light barricade that stated "Local Traffic Only".  Typically we can cross these sections without difficulty or local complaint, so we pushed on the regular road.  However, at Mile 101, we came upon a Road Closed barricade.  Several hundred yards beyond the barricade the road was completely dug up and under serious reconstruction or replacement.   Michael, who had been ahead of me by a couple of miles by that time, was walking back to the barricade from the construction site.  He had been told by the Project Engineer that if he or any other cyclist from our group tried to cross, she would call the Sheriff and have us arrested.  Long story short -- 5 tired, hot, butt-sore cyclists had to take a 10 mile hilly detour just to get over to the other side of the construction site when we knew our hotel was just 4 miles away from the barricade.  By the time we arrived at the hotel, we had logged 115 miles instead of the scheduled 105.  Oh well, it made for a memorable end to an eventful day and will be a story shared for many years to come.

L to R:  Pierre, Michael, Alan, and Ross pondering the likelihood
that the Sheriff could catch all of us.

Construction site -- looks harmless enough.

CrossRoads Day 25 Google Earth image and Elevation Profile
Abilene to Topeka, KS

We're Half  Way to Boston!
(Black = progress-to-date; Blue = planned route)