Big Sky Country

I have a Godmother in Norfolk, and whenever we drive there, I always remember my parents talking about 'big sky country'.  Kansas, however, takes the biscuit!  This place is vast.

I have spent the last week or so cycling with the charity ride that I met earlier in the trip.  It is great to have company at the moment, as it is flat, incredibly hot, windy and remote.  Today we cycled for 60 miles, without turning a corner, in 38-40 degrees heat, between two towns with nothing in between.  Luckily the charity ride have a support vehicle that supplied water and water melon (which I have obviously decided is the best thing since sliced bread in this heat - what a fruit).  This part of America is experiencing a heatwave, with the fires in Colorado, and we are cycling straight through it.  When the locals are complaining about the heat, and dogs stop chasing you, it is hot.

Otherwise, Kansas is a great state.  Some of the other riders have said they find it monotonous, but I think it is beautiful.  I have never been to Africa, but it makes me think of the Savannah.  At the moment, there is not too much corn/maize farming, but the land is more grassy and 'deserty'.  The people in Kansas are also fantastic and more drivers are waving at us.  When we come into the towns, which are now straight out of the Wild West, the locals are really pleased to welcome us.

To beat the heat, we have been waking up early, so usually leave at 6.00am.  Yesterday, we started cycling at 4.00am as it was a 100 mile day!  It was awesome to cycle in convoy through the dark, with one of the members explaining all the stars to us as the sky was crystal clear.  The sunrise was fantastic and the planet Venus was shining.  What a morning that was.  Most of the towns we stay at have swimming pools, so that is where we spend the afternoon.

On Wednesday, is in Independence Day, so it will be nice to be here for that.  It is also the last day with the charity ride, as they carry on West through Colorado, were as I will head North towards Montana.  Hopefully the fires will not prevent this.  Another English guy, James, and an Australian girl, Laura, are also heading in the same direction as me, so we might possibly stick together.  We have been meeting a lot of people coming in the other direction, and the way they rave about the Rockies makes me super excited to get out there.  It will also be much cooler.  Apparently you do not need to worry about the gradients of the climbs, as the roads slowly wind their way up.

At the moment I am really in this trip and loving it.  The bike is running smoothly, and the rides are great fun, particularly with others to have a laugh with - like minded people!  I am also enjoying the evenings and camping out under the stars.  I will be in Colorado in a few days, but I will certainly leave Kansas with fond memories.  This is a great place!