September 16, 2010 - An Easy 80 Mile Ride



Sunrise in Leoti



Today was a great day. First of all we had a really good hot breakfast at our motel that was included in the price of our rooms. I wanted to be the first one riding this morning and met up with Andreas outside our motel about 7:45 AM. We both took pictures of the beautiful sunrise then we headed east from Leoti, Kansas together for a few miles. We had some wind from the north but nothing severe. By the time we got to Scott City (about 24 miles east of Leoti) Dana caught up with us and after a short break we continued on to Dighton where we had originally planned to stay for the night. Dighton is about 58 miles east of Leoti, but we made it there by noon so decided to ride another 30 miles into Ness City.

Soghrum Field in Kansas

I really enjoyed the afternoon part of the ride. The winds was now coming from the South and, if anything, was a bit helpful. There was almost no traffic, and the terrain was more rolling than completely flat and straight. The temperature was in the 80’s, so very comfortable. About 15 miles west of Ness City we came across a historical landmark which explained that George Washington Carver had homesteaded near there when he was a young man.

Fran found an RV park in Ness (south of town about ½ mile) so we spent the rest of the afternoon sitting outside enjoying the great weather. Interestingly, the RV park has no name and no sign on it; Fran asked in town if there was an RV park and somebody made a phone call for her and she was connected to the owner. It appears to be an old mobile home park that is being converted into an RV park; we’re the only people staying here. Andreas had gotten a motel room in town but joined us late in the afternoon then we all went to dinner.

Dana, Nancy, Lisa & Andreas in Ness

Even though our ride was 80 miles, because of the relatively flat terrain, mild winds and comfortable temperatures, it was a very easy, relaxing ride. The roads in Kansas are the best we’ve travelled on (Colorado has the worst roads for cyclists), with good shoulders and generally well maintained. Highway 96 through Lane County, Kansas had the best road surface I’ve ever ridden on.