Day 29 Topeka, KS to St. Joseph, MO   90 miles and 3700 feet of climb

It was forecasted to be another blistering hot day in the heartland as we rode out of the Holiday Inn Express in Topeka, KS bound for St. Joseph, MO, some 90 miles away. As we did yesterday, we started at 6:30 AM  (half an hour earlier than we typically do) to get a jump on the midday heat.

Because of flooding along some of our planned route to St. Joseph and the lack of a viable alternate route, the support staff was forced to shuttle us around the flooded 3 mile stretch of our route. The Brits asked me to join them and young Zak in the morning for the ride to where we would have to be shuttled ( the 57th mile of the day's journey) because the staff needed to shuttle us in groups of 7.

At about mile 15, Alan of the British team got a flat. I rode ahead, knowing they would be on my tail soon enough. I rode with Doug from Petaluma for a while and then rode by myself until the 57-mile mark where I waited for Zak and the British National Cycling Team- Masters Division. They arrived in short order. Tour director Jim loaded our bikes on to the bike racks located on the roof of the van, and we were off for the 35-minute shuttle around the flooded area of the route.

During the shuttle ride, we passed the United States Penitentiary at Leavenworth. As I looked at the facade of that ominous prison compound, I thought, "I wonder if Bernie Madoff is in there playing cards or watching Judge Judy just to pass the time."

Jim dropped us off on a small road just past the flooded area of the route, and we were off to finish the final 30 or so miles to St. Joseph. Rolling hills, winding country roads, lush green forests, fields of soybeans and corn and many farms were what we saw this afternoon riding the last leg to our hotel.

It was hot again today, but perhaps because the ride was a few miles shorter than yesterday's, I felt strong until the end.

Tomorrow we have a rest day, and I have no idea what one does in St. Joseph, MO for fun.
Stay tuned.