Nebraska or Kansas
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 205
Likes: 40
From: Joliet IL
Nebraska or Kansas
Leaving Illinois and headed to Colorado Springs in August. We had planned to take 80 thru Nebraska but I see that I can also go thru Kansas. I've been thru Nebraska so I know how flat and boring it is. I was wondering if I could expect the same scenery going thru Kansas? Are gas stations plentiful off the interstate?
Thanks
Chili
Thanks
Chili
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 5,175
From: SWMO
Pretty close to the same scenery. I70 speed limit is 75 mph. I80 is 70 mph if memory serves me correctly. Towns every 25 or 30 miles with fuel and restaurants. There's still an HD dealer in Hays.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 982
From: Kansas
Don't know from where in IL you'll be starting, but if I was going to go across KS I'd take this basic route. (You can change it up if ya want. Any of the roads up there are fine.) The interstate in KS is a bit more interesting than in Nebraska due to the Flint Hills around the Manhattan area, but it's still a rather boring ride on the slab. Taking one or more GON2L (Good Old Numbered 2 Lane) roads is better. Lots of small towns, plenty of places for fuel and food. From Colby KS on west I have you taking Old HW 24 west to Siebert CO. You could hop on I-70 anywhere after Colby if you wanted to make better time, but that stretch of interstate - especially in CO - is terribly boring. It makes western KS look picturesque.
The route above would take you through Cawker City, KS where you can see the world's largest ball of twine! Another option would be to stay on HW 36 to Lebanon KS and see where the geographic center of the lower 48 states is. They have a sign there that says, "This isn't the middle of nowhere. It's the middle of everywhere!" You could vary the route I suggested and pick any of the GON2L across KS and find the roads well maintained and with towns along the way. It would be a slower trip, but isn't that kinda the point of riding a motorcycle? Smelling the roses, etc.
By the way, Kansas is the 7th flattest state in the US. Illinois is the 2nd flattest, beat only by Florida...so KS isn't as flat as you might have heard. On the other hand, KS is flat as a pancake.
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The route above would take you through Cawker City, KS where you can see the world's largest ball of twine! Another option would be to stay on HW 36 to Lebanon KS and see where the geographic center of the lower 48 states is. They have a sign there that says, "This isn't the middle of nowhere. It's the middle of everywhere!" You could vary the route I suggested and pick any of the GON2L across KS and find the roads well maintained and with towns along the way. It would be a slower trip, but isn't that kinda the point of riding a motorcycle? Smelling the roses, etc.
By the way, Kansas is the 7th flattest state in the US. Illinois is the 2nd flattest, beat only by Florida...so KS isn't as flat as you might have heard. On the other hand, KS is flat as a pancake.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,194
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From: Michigan
Yeah i agree, been on 36 across most of the state, very little traffic, road was in great shape, nice ride.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,833
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From: Sioux Center IA
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 256
Likes: 152
From: Iowa
I-80 is also terrible in a car...
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 256
Likes: 152
From: Iowa
Depending on how much of a hurry you are in...there is also old Hwy 6 you could ride from Joliet to the Denver area. The modern route does follow I-80 and some of the other super slabs but there are ways to avoid it by following the original route or parallel routes. It goes through lots of small towns...and a few big ones too. I ride the Iowa portion a lot to avoid I-80...parts of it are very scenic especially between Iowa City and Des Moines.
