Day 28 - Abilene to Topeka - 109 miles

This day was one of the most beautiful, joyful days on the bike of the whole trip. :) At least the one that I remember the best at this point.

Had to stop and snap this photo since I know a lot of students and graduates of Smoky Hill High School!

The temperatures were moderate, the wind not too bad, things were green green green, beatiful sky - it just made for a great riding day!

This was one day that I didn't bother about riding with anyone in particular. I just rode how I felt like riding. Sometimes I'd catch up to someone and talk with them for a while. Then if we hit some rolling hills and I just felt good, I'd take off. Once I had the intention of waiting for someone after the next hill but it was just so much fun and such a beautiful day and I just forgot all about waiting for anyone in the joy of the ride.

First sag stop in White City. It's about as big as you might think from the photo. 

Katy Park - which as we all know is nothing like Kettie but still...

Schoolhouse across the road from the park and yes, that is a working bell. Not very melodious but it makes noise!

Dave pictured here. I rode with him a fair bit today. Isn't it pretty? You can see a couple of turkey vultures soaring around. Shortly after this we passed a small reservoir that had about 20 gathered around.

I think it was just up here on the left for the turkey vultures. Sorry I failed to get a shot of them.

Happy cows! Well, I guess they were happy. I was happy so maybe I was projecting my happiness on to others. This was just before I came to a very pretty descent to Lake Wabaunsee not far from our second sag stop for the day. After sag, I stopped with Dave, Ann, and Andy for a burger in Eskridge, KS. There weren't a ton of options and we still had over 30 miles into the motel in Topeka. Luckily it was pretty tasty. As I was waiting in line to pay, a guy started talking with me about our trip. He was a cyclist and extremely envious of our adventure. He said he's done some state tours but would love to do the whole thing. Fun to chat with him.

Nice use of an old wagon

Rolling hills are becoming a bigger feature.

Bike art. There were also bikes hanging from trees. I wasn't sure whether the artist used bikes because he liked bikes or to warn cyclists to stay away! Despite the length of the ride, I felt pretty strong and enjoyed the day. Some of the other century days I've been good up until the last 20 or 30 miles and then it's been tough to finish it off. Today I think I made it to about the last 3 before I just really wanted to finish it off. The last mile was on a rotten road that about shook me off my bike. I had grabbed a drink from my water bottle just as I started onto the road and it was poor timing on my part. I was trying to steer with one hand and not fall off but it eventually ended, I stayed on, and I made it into the motel. Hurray! Another day in the books. It was a great ride and a great day. I'm really grateful to a God who made such a beautiful world and gave me a body that is capable of cycling through it and savoring it!