JULY 4 "WE'RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE, TOTO"

I had no idea that AbB's suggestion that we decorate our bikes for a contest on the 4th of July would produce such an enthusiastic response. Many bikes (and their riders) were outfitted in red, white and blue...boxer shorts, face paint, flags, crepe paper, you name it. All of us wore our Cross Country Challenge "Flag" jerseys. It was quite a sight this morning at 7:00 am as we rode through the quiet streets of downtown Topeka. We were the only parade in town--at least at that hour--so we were greeted with honking horns, waves and cheers from the sidewalks. All day long people acknowledged our patriotic look. I, of course, the keeper of the great white goatee, came as Uncle Sam.

David's Award Winning Bike (Pictured with "Uncle Sam")

Today's ride was 90 miles to St Joseph, Missouri--entering our 6th state-- and a REST DAY waiting for us on July 5. I for one could sure use a day off.We have pushed hard.

Ken, Bill and Mike at the Missouri border

This morning we were concerned about the reports of severe weather near Wichita, but we saw only sunshine and felt only HEAT. It was very hot and humid this afternoon for the last 40 miles of our ride. Those miles -of course- contained most of the 2800 ft of climb on today's route. The "ribbon candy" effect was with us again. We speed up and pedal hard on the downhill, through about the mid point of the next climb, then shift several times to make it to the top. And then: REPEAT, REPEAT, REPEAT. Exhausting.

Sometimes we wait

We rode through Atchison, made famous by Amilia Earhardt and the railroad, i.e. Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe. We had a quick lunch there and then crossed the Missouri River into St Joseph, MO, ("Where The Pony Express Was Born and Jesse James Met His Demise"). St Jo, a city of only 72,000, is 60 miles north of Kansas City, where we thought we would go tomorrow on our day off to see the KC Royals play baseball. They are on the road, so our options now include visits to the bike shop, the Pony Express museum and the Jesse James museum, followed by a BIG steak dinner. Lewis and Clark camped here in 1804, and St Jo served as the starting point for wagon trains filled with pioneers headed west. These locations are also marked for the "tourists".

Tom Kenny and Big Dawg dressed for the Fourth

A few bikers will go down to the river tonight for the fireworks. Most of us came back to the hotel following dinner to do laundry and watch the Tour de France. We do get reports each day at route rap on the day's Tour results.

Awards were presented this evening for best bike decoration: David (NY) and "fast Frank" (IA); best dressed couple: Tim and Kathryn (ME), and a much lesser "honorable mention" was given to Mason for his body painting. He came in ahead of me as Uncle Sam. I received no recognition...rightly so.

The whole gang on the Fourth

Sue, the nurse from Grand Junction,CO, leaves the group here after completing her tour. We pick up 2 "new guys" tomorrow. We will miss Sue.

We are riding at a much faster pace now. Meg and I rode this morning for a long distance at 25-27 mph. She is a speedy gal with amazing stamina. We all stopped at a little park in De Kalb, MO for a SAG stop. The shade and gatorade provided a boost, as did the sights here. The gazebo and some town buildings were wrapped in red, white and blue bunting. Kids on bikes came out to see us. The only action was at the fireworks store near the park. America on the 4th of July!

         - Bill

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