The story of our first, but not our last ride.
So, Friday morning, we headed out on the trail. Our friends Aaron and Lindsey met us at the Fire Station 1 in JC. They had taken the train in from Lees Summit that morning. Yes, you can carry your bikes on the train! So, the first trek, was just to get to the
Katy Trail. That meant crossing the Missouri River Bridge over 63. Very nice, and dangerous. As the huge semi trucks passed by you at 60mphr, feet away from you on the mini bike trail. Anyways we made it across, and headed to hwy 94 where we were able to slide into the Trail not to far past ABB. It was a cloudy day, in the 80's. Very muggy. Jake kept saying, "NOW, if there are thunderstorms, we are going to have to drive!" NO WAY! I knew this wouldn't happen, as we have been planning for this ride for months. He was more worried about the lightning. We were about 5 miles in when the rain came. It was actually kind of refreshing....at first. It was nice to have the cool rain fall on our faces and bodies, as we were kicking in high gear down the trail. Well, that was of course, until the trail became mushy, and the mud spun up from our tires, caking us front to back. I was eating dirt and mud off and on for a while. Mmmm, quite tasty. We did say it was definately better than being 100 degrees in the sweltering sun though.
LJ and I led the four of us. And major props to her, cuz she was AN ANIMAL!!! She kept our pace going the entire time. Haha, I laughed with her all weekend. Giving her a hard time, that as soon as I was neck and neck with her, she would get just a few feet ahead of me. I tried to explain to her, all I was doing was trying to keep up with her! She is in great shape, and could have probably gone 15-18 mphr verses the 10-13 that we averaged. She was amazing. She has a little competitive soul in her. But we thank her for getting us there in the great time!
So, 16.5 miles in. In the pouring rain, we stopped for an energy bar break. By this time we were starving. We laughed sayin how that protein bar tasted like a big fat awesome pizza. We needed the calories to continue the ride. First time I fall off my bike. Parked on one of the many wooden bridges. I attempt to hop back on my bike, only for it and I to slide to the left before crashing on the ground. I think Aaron and Jake waited in silence behind me first to know if I was okay, and then wondering if it would be okay to laugh yet. I was fine, and then off we went again. Well, I do now have a softball size bruise on my leg, so, I am guessing that came from fall one, or fall two. Yes, I fall twice.
The worst part of the trip for me. The next 14 miles. About five in, I was doing okay....then the wonderful feeling of having to throw up came on me strong, but we kept tearing up the road. It was starting to slow down raining, and we were able to dry off some. Well, in other words the once mud on our skin was now dried compacted dirt, that we were more able to flick off. The air felt good. We were averaging about 10 to 12 miles per each hour. But I couldn't quite shake the sick feeling. We did stop for a history point, which helped! Picture time!
Then back on the ride. Almost to our lunch break point in Portland, MO at Riverside Bar and Grill. We finally made it and went in and had a nice "FRIED" lunch! Actually everything on the menu was fried, so we had to settle. We were kind of wondering how that was going to go on the last, 16 miles....(came to find out it was actually 18 miles) We had fried chicken sandwiches, French fries, and Jake even indulged in a corn dog! HA!
Let's see, no I didn't just take a shower. That was a combo of a little bit of mud, a whole lot of sweat, and them some rain water on top! Looking good. I just laughed and said, no bd, looks like "we just took a little walk"
Aaron and Lindsey were looking pretty good!
It was about a 50 minute break and we were back on the road!No more rain, just the open Katy Trail, and maybe a snake or two. Lindsey actually had a bird fly into her leg, and then she was lucky enough to run over a fat Copperhead. Little heart attack attached. She had her adrenalin running. When we got back on, I was worried. I was thinking, how the heck were we gonna do this last trek. And we did. I mean the easiest part of the trip, was actually the last 18 miles. I couldn't believe it. I was on a roll. I did kind of get termed "jack rabbit" by my husband. haha. I would go real hard, then die back. Had my little spurts of energy. We were so close though!! We wound through Rhineland, and then headed a few more miles, to get to our point where we would be off the Katy and on the road to Hermann. We sae the bridge. Oh, how sweet!!!
There she was!
Okay, wipe out number two for me! There was a little trail that zig zagged around before the bridge. Well, I thought I would take a short cut, and off road a bit. Um, my bike didn't like this idea. And off we go again. Note: My husband was way far ahead at the edge of the bridge by this time, and didn't even realize I had taken crash number two. Aaron and LJ paused to make sure I was okay, and then off we went again. Here is the spectacular view going over the bridge!
Up we go, to get to the City Limit Hermann sign!
And we made it! Oh, sweet, sweet Joy!
We got to town, went straight to Tin Mill Brewery! Enjoyed an ice cold beverage, and then called Beth at
Up Up And Away Lodging! She was literally amazing. She was practically our personal driver, and was the nicest person ever! Plus as you can see in the pictures, the place was beautiful!
I don't know that I had ever been so dirty in my life! We headed straight for showers, and then here is Jake and I at "Wings A Blazin" Beth's restaurant! Another spectacular choice. As you can see we were pretty happy to be there in one piece.
48.3 miles in 4 hours and 38 minutes!
Now, what is the next adventure we need to plan for!
