You're going to cross some flat country and that means you could be coping with a lot of wind. If the prevailing winds are from the west, then you'll get a bit of a push, but if they're from the south (which is what I've heard from some Oklahoma and Texas riders) then you'll have to brace yourself for tough pedalling on the days you're heading south.

When you're planning a route, make sure you build in some days for rest and some extra days in case you wind up with a serious problems. For instance, consider what happens if you have a breakdown in a small town in Kansas or Oklahoma and have to wait a day or two for the bike shop there to have the part to be shipped in. Or consider what happens if you need to take a day to rest because of an injury or minor illness. Chances are good nothing will go wrong, but it's good to be prepared, just in case.

When you're getting the maps for Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, you'll be fine with a good highway map. However, Missouri and Arkansas have some rather hilly places. Consider topographical maps. If you want, a GPS with the topographical U.S. maps might help.