WiFi in Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky?

[tandem.two]

This summer, June-July 2008, my wife and I are cycling the TransAm Trail
from Pueblo, CO to Louisville, KY. We're wondering about the availability
of both cell-phone service and wifi on that route. We're sure there will be
some cell service, but what have you found there with wifi?

[DaveB]

I would expect any Starbucks or similar chain-type coffee shop would have Wifi as well as many hotel lobbies, and possibly local libraries.  

[staehpj1]

I don't remember seeing too many Starbucks on the TA.  Also a lot of the towns are too small to have a hotel or motel.  Many small towns do have a public library though.

I have heard it said that if you don't mind poaching off of someone's home wireless internet, that a signal will pop up in the strangest places.

I didn't have a WiFi device with me when I did the TA so I can't be sure, but the fact that we didn't even have a cell signal for a substantial portion of the time makes me think WiFi will be a bit difficult to find at times.  My guess is that you will certainly have days with no WiFi signal available and will probably have multiple consecutive days without at times, but probably won't be a straight week without at any point.

This is all just educated guesses based on having ridden the TA.

This message was edited by staehpj1 on 3-16-08 @ 4:12 PM

[DaveB]

I don't remember seeing too many Starbucks on the TA.  Also a lot of the towns are too small to have a hotel or motel.
They must be REALLY small towns if they don't have a Starbucks OR a motel. I thought having both was a legal requirement! ;p  

I agree that a lot of Mom-and-Pop motels may not have WiFi but all of the chains do.

Another chain that usually has WiFi is Paneras' Cafes

[staehpj1]

"They must be REALLY small towns if they don't have a Starbucks OR a motel. I thought having both was a legal requirement!"

Yes hard to believe in this day and age  In much of the rural west it feels like 1950 and there are lots of towns with populations of 30 or 40 and the next town in any direction 40 miles or more.  I knew this going in and was still surprised by it anyway.