Road Closed

Elizabeth and I decided to start at 07.00 this morning,to try and get some extra distance in before the weather turned hot.As it turned out we were awakened by thunder during the night,and it was still raining this morning as we set out.The first part of the journey was into and through the old town of Topeka.below the capitol building.

Very soon after this we crossed the Kansas river,rather swollen,and set off into the country side.

The climbs today were gentle and longer than yesterday,more to my taste,and the rain soon stopped.The temperature remained modest,so we had a very good ride to the first stop.Tom(logistics)had rescued a turtle on the road and put into a muddy culvert,where it sat happily whilst we refreshed ourselves.A short stop and away we went past this hilltop building

which seemed to be just a spire,then crossed the Delaware river,which was very flooded.

However we made good time to the second of the days stops,which was at a Dairy Queen,a well known ice cream chain.So in I toddled for two cups of ice cream and berries,which we both enjoyed,and then the problems started.The Missouri river had overflown its banks and penetrated the levee,leaving a 1.5 mile pond over our road.The decision was taken to reroute us,and cover the same distance,but we would have to travel in convoy for the first 14 miles as the sheriff declared the road unsafe for single bikes as it had a lot of traffic and no shoulder.A long slow process,stopping every now and then to let the traffic past.By now it was hot.

The only bright spot along this road was the sight of some lovely longhorn cattle.

We eventually arrived at the main road and were free to cycle at our own pace,but the road was very busy in both directions,a single lane in both directions,a narrow shoulder and aggressive drivers.A horrible 20 miles ensued,that eventually led us out of Kansas.

Across the flooded Missouri River

And into Missouri state

However St Joseph was not particularly welcoming with a multitude of steep hills and more road works!Another reroute and the 137.5 Kms that we set out to do had transmogrified into 157 Kms and a lot of weary bodies.At the last right turn one driver pushed me into the kerb and over and off,leaving me with a skinned elbow.A kindly passing cyclist told us that there was no sympathy for cyclists in this area!!However we arrived at the hotel to be welcomed with a free glass of Pepsi,and at least we will have a  story to tell.