DAY 29 / Monday, July 6th / Rest Day in St. Joseph, MO

Today was a rest day so I decided to get on my bike and check out this historic town which claims that this is where the real west originated. On the left I am standing at the monument for the Pony Express. For some reason I have always been fascinated with this part of history. Check out the historic inscription on the right, pretty interesting.

zoom in (double click) to get a better read.

After I had gone to the monument I went down the block to the museum. I don't think I would have qualified to be a rider. This was a very interesting museum telling you all about how the Pony Express came to be, the people behind it, the obsticles that were overcome, and the manpower it took to run the operation.

10 day delivery from St Joseph, MO to Sacramento, CA.

After the museum I wondered over to the house that outlaw Jesse James lived. He was trying to live a low keyed disguised life while a bounty was out for him. He was running out of money so planed one last bank robbery with his gang members the Ford brothers. One of the brothers shot him instead to get the bounty. Instead of getting the bounty he was convicted for murder and went to jail.

The last place I visited on my day off was Lovers Lane. My 31st anniversary is July 8th and I am spending it away from my wife Donna. I sure wish she was here to enjoy the beauty of Lovers Lane and all the special memories we have together. Mike and Fran are also celebrating their anniversary this day. So Happy Early Anniversary Everyone.

Day 29 / Sunday, June 5th / Topeka, KS to St. Joseph, MO / 88 miles

Today we finally get out of Kansas and into Missouri. The day started out cool with a good drizzle. It was pretty miserable for a while because we were not expecting those conditions. Add a moderate headwind to that and I wish I had stayed in bed. Just before we were to cross the Missouri River we stopped at Subway for lunch. Steve in yellow and Jack in white are my Florida buddies.

We ran into this neat bike after we came out of Subway. It reminded me of the deal I offered my wife, Donna. I told her we would take a tandem with a book and drink rack and high back cushioned seat across country and all she had to do is help pedal up the mountains. Guess what her answer was? Hint: she has not been in any pictures yet.

This Is the Missouri river that divides KS and MO. It was scary crossing the bridge because it had sections of concrete missing from the metal grates which looked as if it could catch your tire and send you falling

I made it over the bridge and into Missouri. I like Missouri so far.

A lot of rolling hills and corn fields. The picture below is from the town of St Joseph. This is a very nice town with nice parkways, recreational areas, homes and all the major chains of stores you would see in most big cities. We have a rest day scheduled here for tomorrow. The state of Missouri claims the real West was founded here. Jesse James lived here and the pony express had a major stop here.

Day 28 / Saturday, June 4th / Abilene, KS to Topeka KS / 108 miles

Happy 4th of July

Today was a long 108 mile ride up and down rolling hills, kind of like riding a roller coaster except my legs had to do the work.
The weather was overcast with a good tailwind and temps were in the low 80s. Today was the most humid day we have had so far. I got a kick out of the store on the left with their Mountain Dew sign.

Today is Norbert's birthday, he is 66. I hear they celebrate his birthday every year with fireworks and parades. He is a special guy. A lot of the riders decorated their bikes with flags and streamers for the 4th. Norbert from PA rides with Mary from NY most the time.







To the left is the group I ride with most of the time. That's Bob from Seattle out in front. I have learned from Bob how to take pictures while moving. Sidewards, behind the back, over the shoulder, you name it Bob can do it.

Below are some scenic pictures from the day. You can see from the pictures on the right the rolling terrain we had fun with today.
After the second sag I decided to ride the last 30 miles by myself, with a little help from my music shuffle. Felt like I was in heaven. Finished the day at an 18.5 mph pace. It's a sad 4th, I'm going to miss seeing the fireworks with the family.

Day 27 / Friday, June 3rd / McPherson, KS to Abilene, KS / 64 miles

Today we finally got off the interstate and on to some country roads. We are off the highway for most of the remainder of the trip I've been told.. Today was great riding conditions with a tailwind giving our tired legs a rest. To the left is Bob from VA who is on his third cross country trip at 72.

My friend Marilyn is a real trooper. She just goes and goes at a steady pace.

She is a PE major who teaches special education and is also a minister. She had to ditch her bike one day and jump in the bushes when a semi truck got a little close.

Unbelievable I am half way across our journey. This is a great feeling. Although it's not all down hill from here. I hear there are lots of rolling hills to come in MO and the Adirondacks are in NY.

I ask myself, would I ever attempt to do this again? And I reply only to support a family member or friend.

To the right is Hans from Switzerland. He is intrigued by the oil pump.



The town of Abilene was almost the capital so we were told. We had a great lunch at the Dish, a nice family run restaurant. I had a delicious BLT sandwich.

To the right I am relaxing on the porch of the house where President Dwight Eisenhower grew up. The town is quite proud of Ike and have created a museum, library, monument, and grave sight on a large parcel of land in honor of him and his family.

To the left I am taking a break at the Seelye Mansion right by my favorite place, a pond and running waterfall. It was my bike that needed the break, I was fine.

Dinner was at the Brookville Hotel. We had a wonderful family style chicken dinner, with mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet creamed corn and ice cream for desert. Back at the hotel the tornado siren went off and we all had to huddle in the hallway downstairs for about 35 minutes while the rain, lightning, and wind swept by us.

Day 26 / Thursday, July 2nd / Great Bend, KS to McPherson, KS / 64 miles

After a good breakfast at the hotel (eggs, pancakes and oatmeal) we set out for McPherson under cool

temperatures in the mid 60s and overcast skies. My friends Chris, Bob and I decided we would set out on a mission to catch Tom and Sean, who like to be the first to the hotel. After about 5 miles into the ride we caught up to them. Tom (the triathlete) picked up the pace into a moderate headwind and we drafted off him. Sean was having back problems and dropped back. Knowing Tom was going to glow saying he pulled us all the way to the first sag I sprinted ahead of him with a half mile to go and told him I would help pull for awhile. His response was "the hell you will" and he started to sprint. I got ahead of him, then Chris passed me and Bob (with the young legs) sprinted by all of us to get to the sag first. Judy, one of the support staff enjoyed watching us come in and commented " I think I just caught a whiff of testostorone in the air". As we pulled out of the sag we decided to all work together. The first 10 miles we shared in the pulling. Tom and Bob started fading so Chris and I decided we would go back to our original plan and get to the hotel first. We worked great as a team sharing the pulls and got to the hotel 20 minutes ahead the next riders. Chris is 61 and in great shape. I hope I can ride as well as him when I reach my 60s.

McPherson was a nice little town. There was a park that had a nice community pool so I took a little ride to check it out and take some pictures that would give you the hometown feel of McPherson.

Day 25 / Wednesday, July 1st / Dodge City, KS to Great Bend, KS / 85 miles

Today the weather was great. Overcast and cool in the morning breaking to sunny skies and low 90s by 11:00am. I got off to a late start after helping Bruce from CO find his bike computer that popped off his bike. It took us 20 miles until we caught up with some riders. It's rewarding to see other riders and confirm you're on the correct route. Three riders yesterday missed a turn and went 20 miles extra.

Our first sag stop was at an historical museum. I spent some time in the church (lt) saying a few prayers. It's been hard to get to church on Sundays. It felt good to be in the house of God who gave me the health and opportunity to enjoy this amazing and beautiful country.

The bike I am standing in front of has made the journey across America as well. I am thankful for the advances in the biking industry because I don't think I could have made it across on this.

Zoom in and catch the writing on the poster.

On the right is a picture of me and our bike mechanic Sean. Unfortunately he leaves us today for his own adventures traveling outside the country. He has been great, fixing our bikes, playing pool, basketball and chatting with over a drink. I feel like I am talking to my son Mike when I chat with Sean. He is a CA guy who loves Diddy Reese (best cookie/ice cream place in LA).

The group I was with wanted to get a picture with the train on the left. It was going about 30mph so I kicked it up to 35mph, caught the train and stopped it.

After we stopped it, Chris from OH and I got in front to pull it so it could get started again.

I am celebrating at what is called midway. This is supposedly the middle of the country from San Francisco to NY. Zoom in on the sign.

Chris (OH), Bob (Seattle), and I worked together in a pace line most the way taking turns at 2 minute intervals keeping the pace between 19-20mph in a pretty stiff southwest wind. Had dinner at Montana Mikes again. Now it's time to get ready for a 61 miler tomorrow.

Day 24 / Tuesday, June 30th Garden City, KS to Dodge City, KS 51 miles

The weather was great, warm but not unbearable. After yesterday, today was going to be an easy day, riding along with some different people. Carol, (left) like me, has a degree in PE as well as a masters in special education. Chris and I rode with Carol to the first sag stop helping her break through a mild headwind. She is a real trouper.

Our group stopped at one of the first and only overlooks in Kansas for an inspiring picture.

A feed station for the thousands of cows. Gotta beef them up so we can enjoy them at the steak house.

Half way through our ride just about all the members in our group stopped at the local ice cream parlor in Cemeron. Had a vanilla malt and it was delicious.

When we got to Dodge City we had dinner at Montana Mikes (big chain in these parts of town) After dinner we went to Boot Hill and the Longhorn Cafe to watch the Miss Kitty dance and comedy show. Pretty interesting, however; as Jack from NJ said it reminded him of a 6th grade play. I did however get a picture with Miss Kitty and one of her show girls.

Afterwards we took a group photo of the gang at Longhorns.

The hotel we stayed at was a convention center with a big pool, Jacuzzi, volleyball court, ping pong table, pool table and of course, a basketball hoop to get me ready to play for the Gold (friendship basketball game) with my best friend Marc when we meet July 28 when my journey cross country comes to an end.