I just got back from biking half way across Missouri -- Ask me anything!

[prolesunited]

Just got back from my vacation -- six days of unplugged bliss. I took my bike and camping gear and headed to Missouri's Katy Trail, which is the longest rails-to-trails path in the nation.

I rode 250 miles in four days, completing my first century ride one day. The scenery was incredible, ranging from pastoral landscapes and a slow-moving Missouri River to sun-dappled forests and towering bluffs. I'll post some of my favorite pics later.

Thankfully, the weather was unseasonably cool or I wouldn't have been able to push myself so hard. Camping was great, too -- going to sleep under a full moon and a sky full of stars, lulled to sleep by the sound of crickets and waking up to the sound of birds. One night I camped on a really high bluff and awoke early enough to watch the sun rise over the treetops.

I don't think I've felt so peaceful and calm in a LONG time.

[meegbear]

1. Have you been using Gold Bond's Powder ....

for those chaffed areas?

[prolesunited]

6. Surprisingly

no chafing. No complaints here on that one. ;-) Good wicking on the bike pants, I guess. :shrug:

I also admit to using a double gel seat cover. I didn't use it on the first day; the second day, it felt too gooshy and weird; and by the last day, it seemed kind of hard. LOL!

[pmbryant]

2. Welcome back!

Glad you had a great time.

It sounds like it was a fabulous trip. Looking forward to the pics.

:hi:

--Peter

[prolesunited]

8. I'm working on the photos right now

I only took 118. :D I couldn't have asked for a better vacation, mixing so many of my passions in one package -- cycling, nature, photography, architecture.

[XNASA]

3. That's great.

We're going car camping tomorrow, just for one night.

At least we'll be unplugged.

Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Good for you.

[prolesunited]

12. So, where are you going?

I did cheat and have my car with me. I would park at a trailhead in the center of the day's planned ride and drive to my camping sites. There are options for local shuttles or Amtrak, but I was by myself and a little unsure on how I would do.

I also have to confess that the day I did my century ride, I did sleep in a motel. It was too late to set up camp and I REALLY needed a long hot shower and a nice bed.

[XNASA]

17. Out near Starved Rock someplace.

Not sure where just yet. I have a list of campgrounds. Let's see what happens.

[prolesunited]

18. That's a great place to hike

I like to freak myself out by seeing how close I can get to the edge of the rocks and look down. Been there on day trips but never camped, so no help there. Have a great time!

[ProfessorGAC]

20. If You're At Starved Rock. . .

. . .turn east and yell hi! I'll be on the golf course about 25 miles straight east of you. I'm sure i'll hear you just fine.
The Professor

[GOPisEvil]

4. That's great! Glad you had a nice time!

Welcome back! :hi:

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. Another welcome back!

Sounds like you had a great time.

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

7. Have you ever done RAGBRAI Missouri style?

w/the back tire dipped into the Missouri river and the front tire dipped into the Mississippi? :)

[prolesunited]

16. No, I'm just getting into distance cycling

Have you done it? I have a century ride in the Lake Michigan-area scheduled in the beginning of September.

[UrbScotty]

9. Good job!

Congratulations!

So... Do you like Dick Gephardt?

[arcane1]

10. are you sure you want to come back?

:hi:


it's been a hurl a minute here in the plugged-in world...

[Dudley_DUright]

11. Congrats on your first century ride!

I just saw an old biking buddy of mine at the YMCA and he was trying to talk me into riding the Horse Farm 100, which is a beautiful ride through the Ocala FL horse farm region. I have done it in the past, but this year my carpal tunnel is acting up, so maybe next year. :-(

[prolesunited]

19. Wasn't sure I could do it

But what it was so self-satisfying to make it -- not that I had much of a choice, I had to get back to my car. LOL! Sorry to hear about your carpal tunnel. I don't have that problem, but I certainly was feeling it. Do they have shorter routes that you can try?

[hatrack]

13. Did you start in St. Charles or in Clinton?

We did a little chunk of the trail in June - Sedalia to Green Ridge and back - and it's a GREAT ride!

[prolesunited]

14. Started in St. Charles

and did long stretches. I did drive into Sedalia and looked around. I was going to camp at the Missouri State Fairgrounds and discovered that the fair had just started. I couldn't drive away from that mess of people fast enough. ;-)

I went from St. Charles to Augusta, McKittrick to Tebbetts, Jefferson City to Boonville, so basically, I stayed closer to the river. I also took the spur route into Columbia City. I can't imagine how gorgeous it is in the fall!

How far do you live from the area?

[ProfessorGAC]

15. Cool! Welcome Back!

I've been riding a lot lately. It's a lot easier on my legs than heavy walking or running. I can ride 10 miles and walk the next day. If i ran 10 blocks, my legs would quit on me for the next 10 days! So, i've really gotten into bike riding.

Don't know if i could do as much riding as you did, though.
The Professor

[prolesunited]

24. I'm not sure that I could even run

10 blocks. ;-) I think it's great that you've been able to enjoy bike riding. I'm of the mindset that we should be thankful for the things we can do and not those that we can't.

I know if I hadn't quit smoking and changed my eating habits, I never would have built up the endurance to accomplish this.

[BiggJawn]

30. I'm still working on the "eating habits"

Quit smoking 6 months ago, and I can ride 12 miles in a hour right now...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time!

I'm going "Motel Camping" next week, no internet, but i'm taking a shortwave radio...

[catmandu57]

21. Sounds like a good trip

The corp is supposed to drop the river level this week, so that the Missouri will once again be a river, for a few days anyway. I've never seen the lower river I hear it's more natural over that way with islands and chutes. The Katy trail was one of the best things this state ever did.

[prolesunited]

22. I agree!

I never had been to Missouri and I was pleasantly surprised. Columbia City seemed quite livable. Where are you at? BTW, I'm from the Chicago area, so needless to say, it was quite a change of pace from what I'm used to.

Here's some pics if anyone is interested:

http://homepage.mac.com/prolesunited/PhotoAlbum33.html

[MadHound]

23. Hey prolesunited! Glad you like our little city Columbia

Next time you head out this way, let me know and I'll show you around. We have a great little microbrewery called Flatbranch and out by Rocheport there is a fine winery on the bluffs. And if you are from Chicago you should have some of our Shakespere's Pizza and see how it compares to the fare in Chicago.

Columbia is a great place to live. A university town of about 100,000, with a liberal populace and a fun downtown area. And yes, it is beautiful here in the fall, especially if you're in a balloon(they're big around here).

So next time you ride through, stop awhile and get to know the place, you will have a native guide.

[catmandu57]

27. Gotta agree there

Columbia is a great little secret. I'm way up in the nw corner, where our part of the river resembles a drainage ditch.

[Shakeydave]

25. Rock On Sister!

That sounds wonderful! You did it solo?

[prolesunited]

26. Solo all the way!

Don't forget to click on the link for the pictures. There's some really nice ones, although I guess I am biased.

[Chuckup]

28. How many flat tires?

[prolesunited]

31. No flat tires

Thankfully!

[catmandu57]

29. Those are great photos

What did you average on the 100 day? How long did you ride?

[prolesunited]

32. As you know, the trail is covered

with a finely crushed limestone so you don't get the same kind of traction as you do on pavement so I found my speed decreased greatly, especially along those long stretches along the fields that made you feel like you were trapped in a wind tunnel.

I averaged 12-13 mph on the trail whereas a comfortable long-distance pace for me on pavement is 15-16 mph. I wasn't trying to go for time, though. I was enjoying the scenery, trying not to get overheated and I kept stopping to take pictures.

The day I did the 100, I stopped in Columbia City. At that point, riding up that hill to the downtown area was a BIG challenge. I had lunch on the patio of the restaurant next to the fountain and the columns (can't remember the name).