To Kansas and Beyond
Kansas is indeed hilly, as you can tell from the hills in the distance
Hey everyone, Jeff here. The last time I had a chance to blog, we were staying in lovely Denver, CO.
After a couple of relatively flat days in eastern Colorado and western Kansas, we hit the hills of Kansas. Yes, Kansas is not as flat as a pancake as they say. In fact, it is one of the hilliest states I have ever been in.
After driving out through Kansas a couple years ago on I-70, I thought Kansas was flat. It appeared to be, but I failed to glance sideways at the hills that surrounded me on the ride.
Well that is neither here nor there. By the time last thursday rolled around, we were ready for a pleasant journey through Kansas. Ness City to Lyons was long (about 94 miles) and very windy - we encountered what felt like 20 to 30 mile per hour headwinds through out much of the ride. The next day from Lyons to Herrington was pretty much a repeat (about 96 miles).
By the tune we got to Herrington, we were ready for a break. The ride to Topeka on Saturday started off with really nasty headwinds and crosswinds, and it was chilly. But by the afternoon, things warmed up and the winds died down, and it turned into a great ride. I think we rode about 96 miles through a very beautiful part of Kansas.
The ride from Topeka to Kansas City was virtually perfect, with some of the steepest hills we have encountered throughout the whole ride (although they were very short). My legs were pretty tired, and Ryan (with his ailing knee) pulled me through much of the latter half. By the time we got to Kansas City and settled into our accomodations, we were ready for a rest.
We stayed at the University of Kansas Medical Sports Complex, with access to locker rooms, pool, and hot tub.
Sunday night we went out for Cajun food, and listened to some live music at a restaurant that was only a couple of blocks away.
Monday we had our event at the University of Kansas Medical School, with two excellent speakers. The first was the medical director of Village Health Works (one of our beneficiaries), and the second a physician from Wichita with much international health experience.
This morning we left Kansas City and quickly entered Missouri. After a wrong turn that tacked on an extra ten miles, the riders rode over a hundred miles through what they described as great conditions.
Tomorrow we leave for Jefferson City, and travel quickly through Missouri, reaching St. Louis on Friday.
Take care and keep following our progression.