Olathe, KS

Today was a short ride and an almost perfect ride until about 300 yards from the rack point we had a flat. The ride out of Topeka proved to be a tricky ride with lots of traffic lights and rush hour that kept us all on our toes. Once out into the countryside we all enjoyed some more rolling hills with a few moderate climbs before arriving at our rack point around 10:30.

For the most part we're always very safe on the road an obey all laws and traffic signals, however today we rode on a highway which had this sign...

This passed us at 25 MPH today!

Lunch was provided at our rack point and the team devoured Chipotle and a few dozen cookies before saddling up for the arrival. A short 2 mile police escort to the Olathe Stagecoach stop on the Santé Fe (the last working stagecoach stop on the Sante Fe) where we had the most warm welcome we’ve had all summer. The mayor of Olathe and director of independent living in Olathe spoke to us and the mayor declared July 19, 2009 Push America Day in Olathe.

The mayor and his sign language translator

Afterward we had an opportunity to walk the grounds of the stagecoach stop enjoying a horse drawn carriage ride and watching a blacksmith work. We hopped back in the saddle and headed to the Kansas School for the Deaf where we would be staying tonight and tomorrow night; we’re getting very spoiled with another night in beds.

Danny enjoying the stage coach ride

We had a real treat for dinner as the Texas road house donated dinner vouchers and we enjoyed an amazing steak dinner. We had the rest of the evening to relax and wander about the town, a few of us went and got coffee and then headed back to lodging to watch the replay of stage 13 of the Tour de France (Go USA!!!).