Day 14 - Saturday June 2; Newton, KS to Nickerson, KS (53 miles)

After the continental breakfast at the Newton Econo Lodge, I was on the road at 7:30 AM. I rode about four miles through Newton before getting to the country roads. Some of Newton's downtown architecture was nice (see library photo below). I got caught at a railroad crossing during a train engine realignment (another photo). At the last turn in town I stopped at a convenience store for a refreshment; good thing as something I ate last night was giving me issues. Today’s ride was essentially riding out and around Hutchinson, KS via the towns of Hesston, Buhler, Medora then Nickerson which is maybe eight miles NW of Hutchinson. At times, I was only a few miles from the northern city limits. The weather today was picture perfect for cycling; cool, no wind, clear skies and along nearly traffic-free roads. I really enjoyed today’s ride. Between Hesston and Buhler I met a local cyclist, Phil Mason, who lives in Hesston, who had ridden to Buhler to have breakfast with his brother and was riding back to Hesston. Phil is participating in the ride across Kansas in a couple of weeks. This years ride across Kansas will be eight days along a northern route. I turned off the road into Buhler and had lunch at Pat’s Corner Café where five local retirees were having coffee. We chatted the whole time I was there. These were genuinely nice guys. After Buhler, my map directions were wrong at the small village of Medora because KS61 has been rebuilt into a four-lane divided highway. However, I quickly found my way to the correct turn. The terrain was still very flat but there were more trees than I expected. The presence of trees probably ends after tomorrow when I think I end up in wide open, desolate, west-central Kansas.

Tonight I’m camping in the Nickerson city park which is very nice; trees, green grass, a pavilion and a very nice, new water sprinkler play area for the kids. There is a 50% chance of thunderstorms tonight so I think I’ll wait until just before dark and set up my tent under the pavilion. John O’Leary who I’d met camping two nights ago in Eureka pulled up a short time ago and is camping here too. John is cooking most of the time. I’m headed to the convenience store for some good old American “junk” food (and cool soda of course).

Tomorrow I’m headed for Larned, KS. There are no services for the 58 mile ride from here to there so I’ll pick up some additional water and Gatorade in the morning before leaving town. I have plenty to eat during the ride. A few photos from today follow.



Old public library building - Newton, KS

Stopped for a train engine realigment - Newton, KS

Mailbox 1 - at a country home that advertises pet grooming - clever

Mailbox 2 - Air Mail

Mailbox 3 - a version of the Tin Man

This person had it all going on; partially in ground home, wind turbines, solar panels, rain tanks in back and about a dozen VW Beetles at the side and rear.