Week 4: Saturday, August 25 – (Drive from Kansas City, MO: 53 Miles) St. Joseph, MO ride to Macon, MO (Drive to St. Louis, MO: 180 Miles): 132 Miles

Wake up today is early. Ali and Kristian set out on the road from Kansas City, saying good-bye to Lisa (Kristian's girlfriend who visited Kansas City from Toronto for a couple of days), and driving to the last stopping off point, Troy, Kansas just west of St. Joseph, MO. Ali begins cycling first. While Ali's cycling, Kristian replaces his tire that is worn through the rubber. With almost 7000 miles on this one tire, it has traveled across Canada, and survived two winters and summers commuting through the harsh Toronto seasons. It now must be replaced. These Specialized Armidillo bicycle road tires are essential for any seasoned cyclist.

While Kristian fumbles to replace the tire and tube, Ali is making tremendous time. Eventually after going through multiple tubes (they kept getting holes while he was replacing them), Kristian drives up to Ali who is on the side of the road replacing a flat. Since Kristian went through all he tubes, the one Ali is using is the last spare tube between them, this means that if anyone gets a flat, the other has to do the whole distance without the other relaying with him. Fortunately, Missouri's roads are mostly in great shape all along the 36, and there are no serious complications.

After over 130 Miles of cycling, we finally arrive in Macon, and decide to eat something. They decide to check out a recently constructed Pizza Hut. When they arrive, Kristian, who has been feeling more and more love for farm animals that are along the side of the road, looks for the vegetarian option. Hard, but not impossible to find vegetarian at family restaurants in America.

We manage to eat the meal, and eventually, roll into Casper (our 1990 Honda Civic support vehicle), getting ready to drive the 180 miles to St. Louis. Kristian begins driving, but starts falling asleep from all the fat and carbohydrates they just ingested. Ali takes over, but he only lasts for a few minutes. We pull into a rest station. Kristian goes to the rest room, sprinkles water on his face, gets into the car and puts the Air Conditioning on full blast. Shivering, we make it safe, sound and a little chilly to Jack and Dee Berman's house. From the moment we arrive, they make us feel totally at ease and at home. They have a great room for us to sleep, warm showers and a full fridge! Tomorrow is an exciting day, we get to go to the Zoo, visit their grandkids and celebrate Kristian's 30th and one of their grandkids, Carly's 11th birthday.