The Big Ride – When you know the end is near (The Great Plains)

After riding the incredible roads in Utah it was difficult psychologically to head out onto the Great Plains knowing that it was the ride home. I don’t know about you, but sometime endings are challenging.  It’s easy to “checkout” before actually getting to the end.  I tried hard not to do this and took in as much of the Great Plains as I possible could.  The time passed quickly and I was able to ride through Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio in only a few days.

I learned along the way that Kansas is the Sunflower State and not only are the fields adorned with beautiful yellow sunflowers, Black Eyed Susan’s grow wild long the roadsides.  As well, Illinois is the home state of Abe Lincoln – I stayed in his home town of Springfield, Illinois as I crossed the Plains.  The other thing I liked about the Great Plains is that it’s “cow country” and being somewhat of a carnivore…well you know what that means.

Here is a video of my ride, along with a few photos

welcome-kansas-state sign

Kansas is the sunflower state - in addition to the beautiful yellow Susan's grow wild long the roadsides
Kansas is the sunflower state – in addition to the beautiful yellow fields, Brown Eyed Susan’s grow wild long the roadsides
The ride through Illinois was expansive and it seems to stretch out ahead of me for miles and mile and miles
The ride through Illinois was expansive and it seemed to stretch out ahead of me for miles and mile and miles

welcome to Illinois state sign

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Indiana was beautiful with it's may corn fields and the soft rolling plains
Indiana was beautiful with it’s may corn fields and the soft rolling plains
I saw this crop duster at work while stopped for a break
I saw this crop duster at work while stopped for a break
Ohio was filled with wide open and expansive fields that allowed me to see forever
Ohio was filled with wide open and expansive fields that allowed me to see forever

 

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The Great Plains is cow country - when in Rome :)
The Great Plains is cow country – so when in Rome 🙂
While riding through the Great Plains I noted that many of the businesses and Rest Stops have storm shelters
While riding through the Great Plains I noted that many of the businesses and Rest Stops have storm shelters which would be a welcomed find during the tornado season!
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On the road again
A Blizzard was in order after a hot day's ride across the Plains
A  DQ Blizzard was in order after a hot day’s ride across the Plains
Group ride anyone/
Group ride anyone?

From here it means a short ride through New York State to the border and back into Canada where The Big Ride will conclude…but I’ll save that for the next post.  Until then keep smiling and enjoy the scenery – this moment will not pass by again!

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