Friday, September 30, 2011
Arrow rock to new franklin MO.... And beyond to Columbia,MO.
After being "shipped" back up to st pauls luth ch for a delicious breakfast we were shipped back to arrow rock st pk where we loaded our bags into the truck. "Buried" our queen size airmatress (yes we roughed it)since it recused to stay fully inflated:tossed in a pair of sandals also.
Headed down a winding,rolling road with beautiful vistas and field upon field of soybeans.
After 22 miles we entered New Franklin,which is the beginning of the santafe trail and our end point destination. There was a small crowd applauding Nd served chocolate chip cookies and brownies. Photos were taken at the santafe monument and then
Nancy and I were off to Columbia.
We needed to get to Columbia to pickup rental vehicle which will get us to GrPevine where we will unload and load up Nancys car to get us back home.
So we Picked up the Katy trail,which is a railtrail/state park,which was the former mainline of the M-K-T railroad. It is A crushed and packed limestone surface. Stayed on the katy for about 21 miles,at times next to the swiftly moving Missouri river at others next to wTer laden flood plains and soybean fields And still other times under a canopy of trees laden with colored fall foliage. We mad it to the junction of the MKT trail which was a spur to the katy trail and maintained by county and the city of columbia. Same type of surface but narrower and with a slight upward grade toward columbia. It went thru 2 wetland Areas and was heavily wooded. Rode tbis about 9 miles then took the ztreets to Avis.We loaded tbe bikes i. The vehicle and had a quick lunch then headed to New Franklin where e
We packed our bags in the car and showered in th school.
Bid goodbye to our new friends and bid them safe travels.
I write this on the road! E
After being "shipped" back up to st pauls luth ch for a delicious breakfast we were shipped back to arrow rock st pk where we loaded our bags into the truck. "Buried" our queen size airmatress (yes we roughed it)since it recused to stay fully inflated:tossed in a pair of sandals also.
Headed down a winding,rolling road with beautiful vistas and field upon field of soybeans.
After 22 miles we entered New Franklin,which is the beginning of the santafe trail and our end point destination. There was a small crowd applauding Nd served chocolate chip cookies and brownies. Photos were taken at the santafe monument and then
Nancy and I were off to Columbia.
We needed to get to Columbia to pickup rental vehicle which will get us to GrPevine where we will unload and load up Nancys car to get us back home.
So we Picked up the Katy trail,which is a railtrail/state park,which was the former mainline of the M-K-T railroad. It is A crushed and packed limestone surface. Stayed on the katy for about 21 miles,at times next to the swiftly moving Missouri river at others next to wTer laden flood plains and soybean fields And still other times under a canopy of trees laden with colored fall foliage. We mad it to the junction of the MKT trail which was a spur to the katy trail and maintained by county and the city of columbia. Same type of surface but narrower and with a slight upward grade toward columbia. It went thru 2 wetland Areas and was heavily wooded. Rode tbis about 9 miles then took the ztreets to Avis.We loaded tbe bikes i. The vehicle and had a quick lunch then headed to New Franklin where e
We packed our bags in the car and showered in th school.
Bid goodbye to our new friends and bid them safe travels.
I write this on the road! E
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Lexington,MO to Arrow Rock State Park, MO
Beautiful 60 mile ride in the early fall foliage colors and early leave dropping. Ride was rolling and early on we rode designated s/f trila and lewis and clark trails. This changed to l/c signage as we neared Marshall, Mo where we ate lunch. It was to be a 55 mile ride but after lunch we attempted an alternate rte which took us on 3 miles of gravel and d/t a gated road, slightly out of our way. Visited the town of arrow rock population 77, which is mainly a tourist trap buy has a lot of history and historical sites.
Then, into camp.after the usual, we discussed tomorriws strategy and decided thst after reaching new franklin, we will continue on to columbia to fet our rental car and then come back to shower and load our bags and take off toward Grapevine,Tx.
Had dinner ar st paul luth ch lcms in statler,mo. Quite a dinner, almost like thanksgiving! Since it was 7 miles from the park we loaded up into a budget moving van and the back if a pickup truck. Similar,i guess to migrant workers.
Breakfast is to be at the same place in the am.
We habe been blessed with great weather,great friends and no injuries(ex the usually bike aches) so, with thanks to God for tge above, we pray tgat all will arrive safely tommorrow and ultimately to there homes. E
Beautiful 60 mile ride in the early fall foliage colors and early leave dropping. Ride was rolling and early on we rode designated s/f trila and lewis and clark trails. This changed to l/c signage as we neared Marshall, Mo where we ate lunch. It was to be a 55 mile ride but after lunch we attempted an alternate rte which took us on 3 miles of gravel and d/t a gated road, slightly out of our way. Visited the town of arrow rock population 77, which is mainly a tourist trap buy has a lot of history and historical sites.
Then, into camp.after the usual, we discussed tomorriws strategy and decided thst after reaching new franklin, we will continue on to columbia to fet our rental car and then come back to shower and load our bags and take off toward Grapevine,Tx.
Had dinner ar st paul luth ch lcms in statler,mo. Quite a dinner, almost like thanksgiving! Since it was 7 miles from the park we loaded up into a budget moving van and the back if a pickup truck. Similar,i guess to migrant workers.
Breakfast is to be at the same place in the am.
We habe been blessed with great weather,great friends and no injuries(ex the usually bike aches) so, with thanks to God for tge above, we pray tgat all will arrive safely tommorrow and ultimately to there homes. E
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Independence,MO to Lexington,MO
Started the day with a balmy 55 deg that rose to about 82deg. Nancy claims its good since we need to get used to the heat of deep south texas again.
After an adequate breakfast by the same caterer as last night we headed out. First to the pist office in town where we mailed halloween cards to the grand kids... Its early but better that than forget.
Lots of rollers this morning as we headed to Fort Osage. Beautiful scenery and then suddenly, as we neared fort osage: the missouri river in all its swollen glory.
We tored the museum and fort. It focused more on lewis and clark expedition than the santa fe trail. We also toured the fort which was built wood stockade type. There were 2 groups of school childtrn to enhance our experience :)
We then continued onward to us 24 and made our way thru 2 small towns till we hit us 224. The river highway.
Evidence of flooding way above the roads is still there. The Union Pacific tracks paralleling the river are not being used at this time until the whole section can be deemed safe. Apparently the road was covered with water and only reopened to traffic 6 wks ago. We took a break at an army corp of engineer park on the river and then proceeded thro towns namer Napolean (pop 230),Waterloo ( pop noy listed,but smaller than Napolean), Nd Wellington (po 325).
Stopped at a war memorial at the river where a bridge over the missouri had been....but its been gone awhile.
Entered Lexington and was immediately greeted by another statue of the "madonn of the trail" then after a slight turn andinto the town where scarecrows adorbed lampposts in dwcoration for an autumn festival this coming weekend.
Stopped at a mcdonalds for lunch: fish sandwich.
After making our way to our home for the evening, the Wentworth Military Academy, we made camp and showered.
At 1630 we were treated to a historical town bus tour by the local president of the santa fe trail association. This lasted until 1800 then to chow in the mess hall.
Food was adequate, they did run outof some food. I think this is the first time we are witbout ice cream!
Todays trip was 47 miles.
After dinner we forewent our usual walk and went in tonthe gym to work on the blog.
Tomorrow we head to arrow springs ~55 miles.
This morning one of our swiss friends flew out of kansas city to return home with his pink bike friday. His father in law remainsfor the duration. E
Started the day with a balmy 55 deg that rose to about 82deg. Nancy claims its good since we need to get used to the heat of deep south texas again.
After an adequate breakfast by the same caterer as last night we headed out. First to the pist office in town where we mailed halloween cards to the grand kids... Its early but better that than forget.
Lots of rollers this morning as we headed to Fort Osage. Beautiful scenery and then suddenly, as we neared fort osage: the missouri river in all its swollen glory.
We tored the museum and fort. It focused more on lewis and clark expedition than the santa fe trail. We also toured the fort which was built wood stockade type. There were 2 groups of school childtrn to enhance our experience :)
We then continued onward to us 24 and made our way thru 2 small towns till we hit us 224. The river highway.
Evidence of flooding way above the roads is still there. The Union Pacific tracks paralleling the river are not being used at this time until the whole section can be deemed safe. Apparently the road was covered with water and only reopened to traffic 6 wks ago. We took a break at an army corp of engineer park on the river and then proceeded thro towns namer Napolean (pop 230),Waterloo ( pop noy listed,but smaller than Napolean), Nd Wellington (po 325).
Stopped at a war memorial at the river where a bridge over the missouri had been....but its been gone awhile.
Entered Lexington and was immediately greeted by another statue of the "madonn of the trail" then after a slight turn andinto the town where scarecrows adorbed lampposts in dwcoration for an autumn festival this coming weekend.
Stopped at a mcdonalds for lunch: fish sandwich.
After making our way to our home for the evening, the Wentworth Military Academy, we made camp and showered.
At 1630 we were treated to a historical town bus tour by the local president of the santa fe trail association. This lasted until 1800 then to chow in the mess hall.
Food was adequate, they did run outof some food. I think this is the first time we are witbout ice cream!
Todays trip was 47 miles.
After dinner we forewent our usual walk and went in tonthe gym to work on the blog.
Tomorrow we head to arrow springs ~55 miles.
This morning one of our swiss friends flew out of kansas city to return home with his pink bike friday. His father in law remainsfor the duration. E
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Baldwin City,KS to Independence,MO
Bancy started the day wirh. Rear flat tire. After taking down our gear wr repaired the flat.....too pieces of wire stuck in the tire one thru the liner. Then to breakfast.
Temp was 50 deg so opted not to use arm nd leg warmers....good choice since it heated up quickly mainly due to more hills and steeper.
Many turns on the ride today so had to be extra vigilant esp after mile 29. We entered Missouri with trees of changing color in the hills ahead.
The many turns of today were to keep us out of heavily trafficked Kansas City (both kansas and misssouri) nd so we were routed thru smalk suburbs around it.
The blue river parkway was closed d/t damage from flooding of the blue river 2 years ago and blocked off with barracades which we easily went around. There were 3 sets of barracades to go around and while the rode was in bad shape in one spot we had to dodge chairs,mattresses and other debris. A lot of homeless were living along the river ibder the bridfes. The good part was...,no car traffic.
After many more turns we arrived at the campus rv park,beating the sg vehicle. We waited until he showed up set up the tent and went to eat lunch in Independence.
Since we had been to Harry Truman ibrary we checked put other sites and visited "the pedaller" and had a visit with the owner.Dinner was in a pavillion at the campus by a Mormon caterer/elder who took us for a tour of the "community of Christ" formerly rlds branch temple.
Had a 45min organ concert by a very talented organist playing a pipe organ with 5685 pipes!
Visited the auditorium where the choir was rehearsing for a production of "messiah" on dec 2.the pipe organ in the auditorium had 6534 pipes.
Now having a rocky mountain ipa as i blog. 67 miles today, wad hillier than yesterday. E
Bancy started the day wirh. Rear flat tire. After taking down our gear wr repaired the flat.....too pieces of wire stuck in the tire one thru the liner. Then to breakfast.
Temp was 50 deg so opted not to use arm nd leg warmers....good choice since it heated up quickly mainly due to more hills and steeper.
Many turns on the ride today so had to be extra vigilant esp after mile 29. We entered Missouri with trees of changing color in the hills ahead.
The many turns of today were to keep us out of heavily trafficked Kansas City (both kansas and misssouri) nd so we were routed thru smalk suburbs around it.
The blue river parkway was closed d/t damage from flooding of the blue river 2 years ago and blocked off with barracades which we easily went around. There were 3 sets of barracades to go around and while the rode was in bad shape in one spot we had to dodge chairs,mattresses and other debris. A lot of homeless were living along the river ibder the bridfes. The good part was...,no car traffic.
After many more turns we arrived at the campus rv park,beating the sg vehicle. We waited until he showed up set up the tent and went to eat lunch in Independence.
Since we had been to Harry Truman ibrary we checked put other sites and visited "the pedaller" and had a visit with the owner.Dinner was in a pavillion at the campus by a Mormon caterer/elder who took us for a tour of the "community of Christ" formerly rlds branch temple.
Had a 45min organ concert by a very talented organist playing a pipe organ with 5685 pipes!
Visited the auditorium where the choir was rehearsing for a production of "messiah" on dec 2.the pipe organ in the auditorium had 6534 pipes.
Now having a rocky mountain ipa as i blog. 67 miles today, wad hillier than yesterday. E
Monday, September 26, 2011
Random
In a previous blog i failed to mention that one rider was riding a single speed. Updated info on the bike fridays is: they convert to tandems and both riders were to bring their wives but a family issue with a grand parent kept the women in Switzerland.
It is amazing how well the group has melded. Many new friends made and other biking experiences shared. For you non-cyclists: cyclists eat up info on tours and cycling adventures like ants eat sweets! For some strange reason we are always planning or thinking about another trip or different venue.
It's hard to belueve the ride ends on friday... Seems like it just began. E
In a previous blog i failed to mention that one rider was riding a single speed. Updated info on the bike fridays is: they convert to tandems and both riders were to bring their wives but a family issue with a grand parent kept the women in Switzerland.
It is amazing how well the group has melded. Many new friends made and other biking experiences shared. For you non-cyclists: cyclists eat up info on tours and cycling adventures like ants eat sweets! For some strange reason we are always planning or thinking about another trip or different venue.
It's hard to belueve the ride ends on friday... Seems like it just began. E
Council Grove,Ks to Baldwin City,ks
Started out with a cool 42 deg at 0600.Donned leg and arm warmers,fleece vest and gortex jacket. To complete the ensemble:long fingered gloves.
Packed up in the dark and headed toward Calvary Lutheran church for breakfast.warmed up with coffee and ham and egg casserole then proceeded out of town on hwy 56.
Nice rolling terrain with vistas of the countryside. We soon entered the Flint Hills where we remained till lunch time.
Quickly started shedding outer wear since effort and the heat of the sun had us heating up as well. Thank you Lexington bicycle club for the stuff bags that convert to a small back pack (from Horsey hundred w/e).
Ate lunch in a quaint little santa fe trail town that is revitalizing its downtown area and trying to reinvent and reinvigorate itself: Burlingame.
More rolling terrain as we headed toward Baldwin city, the temp now had reached 74 deg. The road that had been smooth as glass gave way to rough chip seal.
Passed the ruins of a stage stop on the s/f trail that was settled by french and germans. They started a mercantile district complete with brewery and distillery and still went broke in one year wirh most people leaving.
Arrived at Baxter University and encamped on the grounds outside the sport center. Showers and laundry completed we walked around town until dinner. Shrimp scampi.Ride today was around 87 miles.
Tomorrow to Independence city,MO. E
Started out with a cool 42 deg at 0600.Donned leg and arm warmers,fleece vest and gortex jacket. To complete the ensemble:long fingered gloves.
Packed up in the dark and headed toward Calvary Lutheran church for breakfast.warmed up with coffee and ham and egg casserole then proceeded out of town on hwy 56.
Nice rolling terrain with vistas of the countryside. We soon entered the Flint Hills where we remained till lunch time.
Quickly started shedding outer wear since effort and the heat of the sun had us heating up as well. Thank you Lexington bicycle club for the stuff bags that convert to a small back pack (from Horsey hundred w/e).
Ate lunch in a quaint little santa fe trail town that is revitalizing its downtown area and trying to reinvent and reinvigorate itself: Burlingame.
More rolling terrain as we headed toward Baldwin city, the temp now had reached 74 deg. The road that had been smooth as glass gave way to rough chip seal.
Passed the ruins of a stage stop on the s/f trail that was settled by french and germans. They started a mercantile district complete with brewery and distillery and still went broke in one year wirh most people leaving.
Arrived at Baxter University and encamped on the grounds outside the sport center. Showers and laundry completed we walked around town until dinner. Shrimp scampi.Ride today was around 87 miles.
Tomorrow to Independence city,MO. E
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