Not in Kansas Anymore
Thursday June 6, 2019 Topeka, KS to St.Joseph, MO. 98 miles
Ascent/descent unknown Cumulative. 1,854 miles
The big weather concern when we left in 70 temperature was the threat of thunderstorms. It had already rained and the streets were wet, throwing spatter from our wheels onto our legs and bikes, but that was the only moisture we encountered. The rerrain was increasingly hilly, generally falling into a GRC (gently rolling countryside) category.
The temperatures were somewhat lower with less humidity, and the day was going along very well until our 2nd SAG stop in the parking lot of a Dairy Queen in Atchison, KS. (We hit the trifecta: Atchison, Topeka and Sante Fe). While the early arrivals were Sagging, and maybe getting a flurry or other DQ delight, word was radioed from the lead vehicle that one of the roads on our route was closed due to flooding. It was initially unclear how we could proceed, and we were put on hold there within spitting distance from the Missori River. At this point everyone had a Brazier Burger or some DQ meal while the staff worked out what we could do. It was mentioned that we might need to be transported by van with our bikes to some as yet unesignated location to resume biking. Those of us who had not ridden in the vans and are still in contention for EFI status were not wild about this alternative (EFI= every fabulous inch, every fantastic inch, or some other F-word).
An alternative route was found which involved taking a two lane Kansas State Route, which might have been delightful on another day, but on this day it was full of cars and trucks also seeking some way around the many roads closed by the flooding and there was essentially no shoulder. The CrossRoads vehicles and staff did a terrific job blocking traffic for us to bite off a half mile our so after which we would pull off until the backed up traffic cleared. As you might imagine this was slow and both bikers and motor vehicular traffic were frustrated.
We eventually crossed the Missouri River directly into St. Joseph, MO. Missouri is the seventh state we have biked in. We arrived at our hotel, a Drury Inn, just about dinner time, hot and tired having biked 98 miles rather than the 85 we had planned. Our retired British Colombia-rectal surgeon, Howard, was run off the road by a car within a mile or so from the hotel. Fortunately his injuries were limited to scrapes and bruises.
This was a night which we were not scheduled to ear together, but our hotel had a happy hour with "heavy hors d'oeuvres", all included with the room. We all made a meal out of what they had to offer and then retired to our rooms. I slept better than I have in awhile.
Ascent/descent unknown Cumulative. 1,854 miles
The big weather concern when we left in 70 temperature was the threat of thunderstorms. It had already rained and the streets were wet, throwing spatter from our wheels onto our legs and bikes, but that was the only moisture we encountered. The rerrain was increasingly hilly, generally falling into a GRC (gently rolling countryside) category.
The temperatures were somewhat lower with less humidity, and the day was going along very well until our 2nd SAG stop in the parking lot of a Dairy Queen in Atchison, KS. (We hit the trifecta: Atchison, Topeka and Sante Fe). While the early arrivals were Sagging, and maybe getting a flurry or other DQ delight, word was radioed from the lead vehicle that one of the roads on our route was closed due to flooding. It was initially unclear how we could proceed, and we were put on hold there within spitting distance from the Missori River. At this point everyone had a Brazier Burger or some DQ meal while the staff worked out what we could do. It was mentioned that we might need to be transported by van with our bikes to some as yet unesignated location to resume biking. Those of us who had not ridden in the vans and are still in contention for EFI status were not wild about this alternative (EFI= every fabulous inch, every fantastic inch, or some other F-word).
An alternative route was found which involved taking a two lane Kansas State Route, which might have been delightful on another day, but on this day it was full of cars and trucks also seeking some way around the many roads closed by the flooding and there was essentially no shoulder. The CrossRoads vehicles and staff did a terrific job blocking traffic for us to bite off a half mile our so after which we would pull off until the backed up traffic cleared. As you might imagine this was slow and both bikers and motor vehicular traffic were frustrated.
We eventually crossed the Missouri River directly into St. Joseph, MO. Missouri is the seventh state we have biked in. We arrived at our hotel, a Drury Inn, just about dinner time, hot and tired having biked 98 miles rather than the 85 we had planned. Our retired British Colombia-rectal surgeon, Howard, was run off the road by a car within a mile or so from the hotel. Fortunately his injuries were limited to scrapes and bruises.
This was a night which we were not scheduled to ear together, but our hotel had a happy hour with "heavy hors d'oeuvres", all included with the room. We all made a meal out of what they had to offer and then retired to our rooms. I slept better than I have in awhile.
Glad you were able to maintain your EFI status!! Really enjoying the blog. Steve S
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