Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Abilene to Topeka, Kansas

107 miles, 7:18 riding time, 4,986 feet of climbing, 4,897 Calories

"Do you hear that whistle down the line?
I figure that it's engine number forty-nine,
She's the only one that'll sound that way.
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe

See the ol' smoke risin' round the bend,
I reckon that she knows she's gonna meet a friend,
Folks around these parts get the time o' day
From the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe"

We are now halfway to Boston! Time is really flying by. It's all downhill from here, right?

Today's ride deserves a two-thumbs up! Despite a pesky NNE wind that dogged us all day, today was one of those special days on this adventure. We left Abilene going south on Hwy 43 to connect with Kansas-4. K4 is a two lane farm road that goes through the tiny communities of Woodbine, White City, Dwight, Eskridge, Keene, and Dover on the way to Topeka. There isn't much traffic and the road surface is excellent. We rode generally in a easterly direction with the occasional turn north or northeast, with many ups and downs (note the almost 5,000 feet of climbing). The topography changed as we moved eastward, lots of wheat fields, then more cattle ranches as we moved into the Flint Hills. Because these hills are Permian limestone containing hard chunks of chert, they were never plowed. Instead, cattle were raised here and this area of eastern Kansas contains most of the remaining tall grass prairie in the world. The hills are green at this time of year, dotted with fat cattle.

Deborah, I've found a nice place for us. Although there wasn't a for sale sign in the yard, I think we might be able to get this one cheap. The house needs a little help, but there's a nice yard and the house is already air conditioned.

At mile mark 91.5, we entered the town of Dover. In 2008, Good Morning America had a contest to name the country's best pies. The winner was a coconut cream pie baked by Norma Grubb of the Sommerset Hall Café in Dover! I ordered a piece of the "best pie in the country," a piece of strawberry/rhubarb pie, and a cup of coffee. Although Norma wasn't at the café when we arrived, someone went to her home and brought her to meet us. Norma is now 89 and sharp as a tack. It was a real pleasure to meet her and to taste the "best pie in the country." Chris and I ate the last two pieces of coconut cream before the rest of the riders got to Dover. How sweet is that?

On the road from Dover to Topeka, lives a farmer who isn't happy sharing the road with bicyclists. The road is narrow, with many curves and hills, so cars can't pass readily and are slowed down by the cyclists from Topeka. He has erected some anti-bike art on the hill next to his farm.

Factoid:

Topeka is named after the Kansa and Ioway Indian words for "to dig good potatoes". Topeka was an important ford across the Kansas River on the Oregon Trail. It's the capital of Kansas.

5 comments:

  1. Beach Bike Trek News Update:

    We are now officially an equipe! As word of our fame has spread rapidly throughout the South Bay, we have been inundated with requests to join the team. We have turned all away but two. Joining us tomorrow will be:

    D-Dog: A young, agile climber hailing from sunny Southern California, D-Dog has made his mark in local backyard races. He is known for the suddenness of his attacks, and we are counting on him to take the lead through the mountain passes and higher elevations.

    B-Dog (aka "Bubby"): Not so young, not so agile, but making up for these seeming limitations with sheer physical mass. Although B-Dog usually rides off the back, there is no stopping him once he gets going. We will rely on his brute strength to pound the competition down and bring us home in the next few grueling days.

    P.S. Domestique 2 would like your fellow cyclists to know that the statue in the farmer's yard was modeled after her. If there were a child in her jaws along with the bike, that would be even better.

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  2. OMG! Now Bubba is part of the Beach Bike Trek!! I thought he was just going to post comments on your adventure. Guess he wants an adventure of his own...I hope D1 and D2 are gentle.

    BTW, a nice person wouldn't have eaten the last slice of pie.

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  3. I was wondering who that pretty young lady was standing next to the gray haired older man in a bicycle jersey.o

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  4. I've found evidence that you guys narrowly escaped with your lives... And your sanity!
    IF you'd been biking by that crazy old farmer's place at night, instead of the day time, you might have all turned back!

    It's pretty scary at night, once the fire effects are going and the eyes are glowing red and the mechanized jaws are chomping away on that poor unfortunate Trek 8900 bicycle...

    I've sent you a picture, so you know to steer clear next time. Count yourselves lucky!

    May the wind be at your backs and just keep pedaling!

    Mike

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  5. Dear Jim,

    Thought of you yesterday as I rode to Torrance and back, only 20% of your day. Then it rained on me, then lightening and thunder. Hey, was this So Cal or Kansas?

    By the way, tell us about all the great stuff you see along the side of the road...anything worth salvaging? I'm amazed at what's out there!

    Be safe, Barb

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