Not much new to say about the great state of Kansas, other than we saw a few more fields today. I want to say that I'm not over the state yet, but I totally am. All day I attempted to take pictures that might at least look slightly different from each other, but it's hard out here. Got a few however with at least some farm equipment or buildings in the foreground. We were faced again with quartering headwinds, and fought through them all day. We stopped for lunch in a nice town and eat sandwiches, pie, and cinnamon buns. This I think made my outlook on the day a bit better. The scenery in the last few miles might have started to change, a few more trees and a couple rolling hills, a very welcome surprise. We will see what tomorrow brings. Hope for tailwinds, or at least no wind at all. 71 miles down, breaking through 2000 total for the trip. - Joe

As far as the eye can see all that is visible is the horizon, an endless expanse extends in every direction. Occasionally a passing freighter (18 wheeler) breaks the monotony and throws up a wake (wind gust). We spend the day observing passing flotsam (car parts/ deteriorating barns) and yearning for a passing skiff( fellow cyclist) to tie up with to discuss wind and general conditions. We will also occasionally spot a herd of sea cows (cows) grazing in the distance. Our day improves considerably when we sight land (town), each is marked by a single lighthouse (grain silo) that can be spotted from quite a distance. The small greenish spec slowing expands until we find ourselves docking.
Upon landing we quickly become anthropologists seeking to understand the culture of these places. The natives are extremely friendly albeit hard to find. They eventually come out and consider our crafts asking offhand questions, likely to discern whether our crafts are sea worthy and as well if we are capable of making the crossing. We in turn enter the island store (gas station) to take stock of local eating habits and prices, if necessary we may restock. Soon it is time to leave and we once again seek the shelter of the next island. The Kansas archipelago is remote and lonely, if only the wind would change directions we could make some better progress. -Lucas
We did cover 80 miles as well we crossed into Kansas and into the Chicago time zone!

Not too much to say about today. It wasn't a bad day, although we did have a very slight head wind all day, but it definitely wasn't a good day. It seemed to just drag on and the miles just weren't building the way we are used to. The scenery at first was refreshing but then it never really changed. Between towns we saw nothing but grass all the way to the horizon in all directions. Lucas observed that it was similar to looking out to the ocean, and you might feel just as isolated in the middle of a field as you would in a boat in the middle of the ocean. When we did get into a town it was hard to find anyone around, we thought because it's labor day weekend, but we were told it's always like this in most of these places. Surprisingly by the end of the day we were both very tired, even though it's flat, you never get a break from pedaling as you so in the downhills of the mountains. When we have been riding for 7 hours we actually have been pedaling non-stop for 7 hours. Tonight we are staying in a church in Sheridan Lake, CO. Tomorrow into Kansas and a new time zone! - Joe.

In a sense we have begun a new distinct leg of our journey. We completed the route known as the western express with a total distance of 1,754 miles. Now that we have entered the flat lands it seems as though this is actually something other people do, but more on that later.
If the wind had blown out of any other direction riding would have been impossible ( well that is not entirely true, if it had been a tail wind I would be writing this from Kansas). If it had been a headwind we wouldn't have made it a mile, from the right we would have been blown into traffic, yet as a steady 35-40mph cross wind from the left we were able to ride at a 15 degree angle and I was blown off the road twice. Thus I was able to comprehend on some deep level that this was a humorous situation, not the sort that gave me the urge to smile at the time but maybe laugh about later. This abruptly changed as I witnessed a chest high tumbleweed pass 20 feet off Joe's rear. After yelling "watch out" followed by choice expletives I nearly fell off my bike laughing.
From here on in the day improved as we ran into the first cyclist we have seen heading in the same direction as us. Upon entering town we were even asked to sign a touring cyclist log. As I hinted at it appears that this part of the country is far more cyclist friendly. In fact we are spending the night at a cyclist only compound that is maintained by Jillian from New Zealand. The people here are unbelievably generous and accommodating offering us free lodging, showers, a kitchen and the opportunity to play a quick scrabble match. All is well and we look forward to Kansas. - Lucas

>
> Blogger Alexa back again -- sure, you might want to hear from the cyclists, but they maintain that a rest day means a complete rest, blogging included. Lucas and Joe have both promised to return with extra vigor and lengthier posts (lie, I made that part up--but they will return!) if somebody would please just do it for today. So, you're stuck with me (Alexa) again, reporting on September 2nd's activity for the bikers' rest day number two. The day started with a breakfast at the Omelette Parlor where we tried the establishment's famous Bloody Marys and green chili omelettes (Ha! Not Alexa, don't worry. She had one French toast and two coffees.) While our generous hosts were at work and school, the bikers and I borrowed Casey's (lots of thanks) car to drive up Pike's Peak (the second most visited mountain in all of the world, did you know? Can you guess the first*?) For some of you who are familiar with the Gubinskis and their beloved 4Runner, you might know that we have a bit of bad reputation when it comes to running out of gas -- or, at least, cutting it dangerously close to bone-dry-empty. So, sure, the information we got at the bottom of the road suggested having at least a half tank of gas, but we were feeling pretty good with our two-fifths. Plus, there was no gas station around. Casey's car (again, so kindly lent) had four healthy blocks marking gas fullness, and Lucas and Alexa both counted that we made it at least 8 miles on the first one, so surely we could make it the 19 miles up and maybe at least coast down to the bottom. Then, the next block goes by way quickly. Then, the third disappears. The empty light goes on. Uh oh. We're at mile 11. DILEMMA. Instinct says go. But, you know, it would be wildly inconvenient to run out of gas on this road. So we do the mature thing, turn around, learn that the nearest gas station is 7 miles from the base and happily make it there. But do we give up on the adventure? No, cause here's the thing: altitude donuts. One of the cyclists (you can guess which) had previously heard about the summit's world famous donuts and once there's a dessert in eyesight, no turning back!! The road up the mountain got pretty narrow, twisty, steep and what one might accurately call generally terrifying. But the summit had incredible views, delicious donuts (thirteen of them, purchased by our trio) and a chilly temperature of 39 degrees. Lucas immediately ran around the to ascertain if, at 14,110 feet, the air really is thinner and decided that yes, it was. Joe and I agreed. We made it down, spent more time with our friends, did some errands, had dinner and then got ready for another day of biking. Many thanks to our generous hosts -- it was a great vacation. And, readers, if you've made it this far, apologies for the excessive length -- but I'm currently in the Denver airport and missing my friends! Can't wait to see them again soon.
> > *I'll tell you: Mount Fuji.

Guest blogger Alexa here! Joe and Lucas are outsourcing the blogging tonight. The intrepid bikers camped somewhere in the mountains last night - apparently it was cold and the stars were extra beautiful - and then rose earlier to book it 50 miles downhill to the fabled city of Pueblo!! This guest blogger was waiting on the campus of Zach's university and very much started screeching when the two cyclists rolled up. It was wonderful. We waited for Zach to get out of class and then got an early lunch of Sloppers in pueblo - four hamburger patties, green chili, fries and oyster crackers in a bowl. The guest blogger ordered a sandwich. The group headed up north to Colorado springs, Joe drank two melted ice creams at Starbucks, bikers organized gear at Casey and Zachs, made an obligatory stop at REI, picked up Casey at her school where Lucas felt like a giant in the kindergarten classroom. We are now off to plan a relaxing evening with best friends. It's too exciting.

Other observations by the guest:
Lucas has a wild farmers tan, which chicks dig.
Lucas and Joe both shaved and only partially look like mountain men.
Apparently, things move really quickly when in a car, so much so that it is exhausting to watch.
Bikes = homes
Full time campers can spend an unlimited amount of time in REI.
Sis is too happy to see a brother again.

That might be it for now - time to go vacation. (Lucas and Joe report that they are at a high point of relaxation)

Your industrious guest blogger, Alexa