Recovery Day (sorta) 9/28/2016

We started our day with breakfast at The Doll House B&B - another fine meal.  The B&B, named after its original owner, Dr. Doll, defiantly stands alone on the Missouri River flood plain.  Unlike the rest of the town that moved to higher ground after one of the more severe floods, Dr. Doll refused to move.  It has since survived subsequent floods, albeit after considerable repairs.

We treated ourselves gently today, averaging only 8.6 mph over the 40 mile ride, and taking a few more breaks than usual.  Trail conditions were basically a repeat of yesterday but were several wash-outs along the way with one very large fallen tree partially blocking the trail and on occasion we played peek-a-boo with slightly adverse wind.  An interesting historical highlight of today’s our intersecting of the Daniel Boone Trail at Marthasville.

We are now ensconced in the beautiful Red Brick Inn B&B in Augusta. And we are writing this blog entry after consuming a flavorful meal at the Silly Goose.

The next two days, about 25 miles each, promise even more relaxed bicycling.  Diane and Rob 

The Doll House BB

Most of the time we try to tell a story or maintain a theme with our pics, today it's more of  a collage of things that caught our eye.

 Murals along the Katy Trail.

The stone tells it all. 

Wildflowers along the way

Looking to have frog legs for dinner.

Diane's art shot of the day- old vines caressing a  young tree.

Our bikes rest along the Big Muddy.

Glad to not have been biking through when this one came down.

Closing with a little long distance bicycling craft: Always stop in the darkest shade. I know this seems obvious but you would be surprised how many people we pass by who are standing in the sun.

50 = 80 9/27/2016

Last night’s dinner at the Globe Motel B&B was scrumptious—a lovely  mixed greens salad with blackberries, pecans and feta cheese, followed by braised chicken breasts, red potatoes, carrots, and green beans (all the things we like!), and finished with a local vanilla ice cream and delicious home-made chocolate sauce.  Our hosts had only recently begun their B&B business, in a home/hotel/boarding house, with wonderful history, including surviving Missouri River floods over the years, the last one in 1993.  Conversation was lively and we had a good time.

This morning, again we enjoyed a delicious breakfast—coffee, Greek yogurt parfait: with gluten free granola (Note from Rob:  Diane has been carrying two pounds of the granola in her panniers), omelets,  sausage links and toast.  Eager to tackle the ride, we left our new friends by 8:30 and arrived at The Doll House B&B in Rhineland by 4:00. 

The trail was still pretty good, but there were several rough patches (again, properly warned).  The area has had quite a bit of rain, and some portions of the trail had been flooded.  Although all dry now, the flooding left soft patches in some places and ruts and small sinkholes in others  Again, a consistent following breeze, mild temperature, and a slight downhill most of the time (elevation loss was 30 feet). 

We met two different couples who were cycling our direction, but not going as far.  As we came into the Portland station, there was a busload of middle-schoolers and their chaperones, who were beginning a multi-day supported ride to St. Charles (about 12 miles west of the eastern terminus of the Katy Trail).  They were very enthusiastic, and apparently skilled at this kind of riding.   We were ahead of them most of the afternoon, but as we approached Rhineland, they all overtook us, going about 15 mph.  Such exhilaration!! (And youth must be served.)   

No wildlife sightings today – darn!  But an interesting geological feature piqued our interest.  It’s called Standing Rock—a fine grain sandstone portion from the bluff that has resisted erosion.  Over the years, unknown persons have recorded the floods of 1903, 1923, 1935, 1943,  1944, 1947, and 1993, all of which inundated the Katy tracks at this location even though it is more than a mile and a half from the river.

 We rode fifty miles today . . . no great feat on pavement. But we are riding gravel and 50 miles seems to take the same  amount of energy as riding 80 miles on the highway.  Unfortunately we are not in shape to enjoy a fifty mile gravel ride so tonight we will go to bed early and rise to ride another day.  Will check in again tomorrow evening.  Diane and Rob

Leaving the Globe Hotel B&B at 8:30am our start of the day, yet.

 

 

Today ride was flat, flat, flat and fairly featureless.  We either rode through a tunnel of trees or scooted along side the highway with rich bottomland on our right.  Services consisted of well placed Trailheads with bathrooms and water. The green tunnels of trees (with shade from the sun and protection from evil directed winds) first seem like paradise; but we are left to muse - if paradise never changes is that really paradise?  Luckily there was one interesting geologic feature a huge sandstone monolith name Standing Rock.

Rob standing by rock to provide perspective (and to fill the demands of in-laws - "we want to see Rob.)

And lastly, Diane's art photo of the day - dead tree branch reaching to heaven from paradise.

 

Good Third Day 9/26/2016

The day began with a sumptuous breakfast at the High Street Victorian B & B.  That put us in good stead for the today’s ride – a relatively quick miles 38 miles (9 mph average), mostly shaded with a cool following breeze.  Started at 9:10 and were off our bikes 6 hours later.  The trail surface was good, with only a few bumpy spots properly marked.  For part of the day we rode the bank of the Missouri River, sometimes so close you could drop a rock into the water.

There were several historical markers along the trail, most having to do with the Lewis & Clark expedition.  This evoked pleasant memories of our 2003 Pacific to Atlantic bike ride, when the centennial celebration of the Lewis and Clark expedition was in full swing across the western states, and we road through several towns where the expedition was being celebrated.

Wild life sightings were still scant today.  But we did see a beautiful white heron in a bayou and later five turtles sunning on a log, plus an occasional squirrel scampered across the trail.  We also heard several birds but did not spot them (except for the vulture circling over us, which seems to be a recurring theme of our longer bike trips).

Tonight we are at the Globe Hotel, another lovely B & B, in Hartsburg.  We arrived early but our hosts welcomed us warmly.  We are showered and laundered and ready to join our hosts for dinner.  Life is good!

Tomorrow we ride to Rhineland where we will stay at the Doll House B & B, about 49 miles east.  It will be a test of how close we are to being back in good riding shape.  Wish us luck, everyone!  Diane & Rob

 Diane fueling up for the day at the High Street Victorian B&B

Crossing the Missouri River

 Early in the morning we road through soybeans and corn

Then we cruised along the banks of the "Big Muddy"

Zipped through the shortest train tunnel on record

And at last we started coming across historical markers. Since we are biking the Katy Trail both ways, Diane is only reading the ones on her right going east.

And to make sure our readers see something new on our return trip, I am only showing this one pic of the towering cliffs we road by today. (BTW, I am shooting this photo straight-up at the overhang.)

To close this entry, below is a Homage to Judy's love for turtles and Rob's obligatory wildflower photo.

Much better but still a (gravel) grind - 9/25

We started from Sedalia with rain predicted, but only experienced cooler temperatures and a following wind--both blessings. Nonetheless, while in the end we had dropped almost 250 feet in elevation by the time we reached Boonville, the vast majority of the 38 mile ride was a slow uphill grind.  The excitement of the day was Diane's encounter with an as yet unidentified animal, but most likely a porcupine.  Thankfully the creature was frightened away by Diane's startled scream.

Upon reaching Boonville, we went out to the Missouri River to say hello. The we located our B&B, the High Street Victorian, where we were greeted by our most gracious hosts with larger tumblers of ice water. After quick showers we enjoyed dinner at The Palace American/Greek restaurant.

Tomorrow's ride promises to be more fun, with flatter terrain, cooler temperatures and a 10 mph wind out of the northwest.

Looking to ride stronger!  Diane & Rob

So far the majority of the trail has looked like the picture above but we both find riding through the cuts made by the railroad somehow more interesting (see below) 

And another example of the railroad's handy work, an old relic. (No not Diane, the turn signal.)

The savvy cyclist (whether on a trail or road) is always looking for an indication they have reached end of increasing elevation.  Water towers and microwave repeater towers are excellent indications that you are at the highest point in the county.

You really can't read the signs but they warn of a thirty foot stretch of rough trail.  Last year's C&O gravel ride had 10 mile stretches of rough trail (which we love to call "technical").  Some of us like a little rough trail thrown into to spice up the ride.... this is not a technical piece of trail. :)

 Diane greets the Missouri River. We start our ride tomorrow crossing the Big Muddy (yes the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers share the same nickname) on a dedicated bicycle lane on the bridge - Sweet!

A Warm One 9/24

Up at 6:30am with the hope to be on the trail early.  After a quick breakfast with Frank and Angie, Frank drove us to the Clinton trail head, helped us unload our bikes and complete final staging - then waved us off at 10:15.  It was already hot and muggy, and there was no relief until late in the day, when it clouded up and began to cool down.

The trail surface is in great shape, but it was a rather steady uphill grade from Clinton to Sedalia, where we ended our first day's ride.  By the end of the 40 mile ride, we were very glad to be off the trail and at the Hotel Boswell where we soaked in the air conditioning, and had a great meal at the hotel's Ivory Grille.

Tomorrow's forecast includes the possibilities of showers from 10am to 2pm, with a high of 76 and humidity of 70%.  The one redeeming quality is the forecast for wind at our backs.

Fingers and now toes crossed.
Diane and Rob

Frank ready to deliver us to the Clinton Trailhead (Many thanks Frank and Angie)

Good portions of the trail were thankfully shaded.

But then the snake showed up in the garden and things got very sunny and hot!

We tried to ride these open stretches as quickly as possible we are definitely not as fast in the heat.

Luckily there were towns with services (read air conditioning and cold drinks) about every 10 miles on the Trail.   Diane maintained a smile for most of day, Rob not so much.

Clinton, MO elevation 804ft and Sedalia, MO 909ft.  Somewhere in the middle a hump at 995ft. It was the heat and humidity that made this day difficult (besides being out of shape :( )

Prep Day 9/23

After some high anxiety associated with FedEx and Herculean efforts by Rex, our bike's arrived at Frank's house.  We spent prep day reassembling and ride-testing the bikes, plus packing our panniers.

Weather tomorrow, our first day on the trail will be hot and muggy.
Fingers crossed.  Diane & Rob

                                               Rob's bike fresh from the FedEx shipping box.

                                       Diane's bike now assembled, tested and ready to ride :)

Another Fall Ride

Welcome to our Slow Me Tour--the Katy Trail in Missouri.  We chose the name because we will be averaging only about 35 miles a day across the "Show Me" state, and Rob loves his puns.  The round-trip tour is about 480 miles of gravel over 13 days beginning September 24.  We'll keep you posted!  Diane and Rob