Day 1: Newton to Nickerson KS

49.5 miles, 768 ft ascent, 3:28 riding time.

I started the day with homemade pancakes, peaches and homemade applesauce prepared by our hosts, David and Elena.  Breakfast was followed by great conversation.  I learned that David designed and built his house using the latest in energy efficiency.  His house is so well insulated that he heats and cools it with a 1800 W mini-split (that is equivalent to a powerful blow-dryer).  He has solar panels that generate more electricity than he needs, even in the winter!  We said our good-byes and continued west at about 0900 with cloudy skies, temps around the mid 60’s and a 10 mph tailwind!  
This part of Kansas is quite flat with prairie meadows, fields with “amber waves of grain”, green fields with crops and brown newly ploughed fields separated by corridors of trees along roads, streams, and gulleys (basically anywhere water travels).   Roads are generally long and straight with some rolling undulations.

Johannes and I traveled together today.  We stopped in the town of Buhler at the Mustard Seed for lunch.  It is a small cafe with great sandwiches.  The staff and guests were all very nice and a couple people came up to us to chat.  We are a bit of a curiosity, even though bicyclists have been traveling this route for 50 years.


Our final destination today was the Hendricks Bed & Breakfast and Exotic Animal Farm.  Really.  Here are some photos to give you the flavor.








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