TransAmerica Trail Bike Tour, The Dreaded Middle Third

[staehpj1]

I rode across Kansas a couple times once on the TA and once diagonally from KC to the SW corner and enjoyed both rides.  I have only driven across Nebraska and it was when I was bailing on a trip with HAPE or when hurrying through going to or from trips on the other coast so it isn't a fair comparison, but I had a better impression of Kansas.  The Flint Hills (not on the TA) in KS were nice in Spring.  I suspect that with a completely fair comparison Nebraska might win out with more points of interest like the lowess hills and so on.  I don't have the perspective to compare though.

I'll add that the people in Kansas were amazingly hospitable.

[bbarrettx]

In hindsight, the ferry seems like a really good option. I somehow got it into my head that taking the ferry would be akin to cheating, but my views have moderated on that. Another factor was that I have family in N Indiana lake country which set up nicely for a few days off in a nice setting.

[Smudgy]

I'll add that the people in Kansas were amazingly hospitable.

+1 I agree. One of the highlights of the plains are the people. Worth riding for that reason alone.

[hoverbird]

Enjoyed the video. Thanks for putting it together!

[hikerjer]

"I'll add that the people in Kansas were amazingly hospitable."

I would agree. Some of the friendliest folk I've ever come across. Also, Kansas was probably the cleanest state I rode through.

[Westinghouse]

Many years ago there was this one cyclist talking about going through this so called dreaded middle third. The wind was so strong, long term and consistent he ended his journey there.

Wind kept me off the road a number of times, but it did not turn me back or end my travel.