Category: Bicycling

The Katy Trail – Hartsburg to Rhineland

Bicycle Trip People
On my recent bicycle journey from Kansas to Annapolis, I met quite a few really interesting folks. I’m doing a series of posts on these wonderful and interesting people, and this is an installment in that series. While there are others I met along the way as well, these are the ones who I was able to spend enough time with to get a feel for their story.

Game Day
I think I passed the “high point” of the Katy Trail yesterday sometime, but who would know, since the whole thing is so flat! This section from Hartsburg to Marthasville is right in the middle of the trail, not really close to any large cities. This would be the section of the trail I’d expect to be used the least, and feel the most remote.

But this doesn’t pan out to be the case. Continue reading “The Katy Trail – Hartsburg to Rhineland”

Cat Lady Of Hartsburg

Bicycle Trip People
On my recent bicycle journey from Kansas to Annapolis, I met quite a few really interesting folks. I’m doing a series of posts on these wonderful and interesting people, and this is an installment in that series. While there are others I met along the way as well, these are the ones who I was able to spend enough time with to get a feel for their story.

 

The Cat Lady of Hartsburg, MO
The pre-dawn air drips with moisture as I roll onto US50 headed east out of Warrensburg. It’s a warm wetness, not really rain, but a light mist that keeps the pavement damp.

I’d expected a reasonable road, good shoulder, and reasonably light traffic. I built this expectation by talking to a local cyclist in Sedalia.

Wrong. Continue reading “Cat Lady Of Hartsburg”

Plain Dumb Courage

Bicycle Trip People
On my recent bicycle journey from Kansas to Annapolis, I met quite a few really interesting folks. I’m doing a series of posts on these wonderful and interesting people, and this is an installment in that series. While there are others I met along the way as well, these are the ones who I was able to spend enough time with to get a feel for their story.

Mike and Wei in Warrensburg
Day 2 of my cycling adventure from Kansas to Annapolis has me up before dawn, headed east on Highway 68. A headwind develops early, and builds through the day. Not a straight headwind, but a SE wind that quarters into my face.

When I stop for something to eat in Louisburg, I’m more than a little disappointed with the measly 30+ miles that I’ve ridden so far this morning. At a little over 50 miles, after some wonderful riding on some secondary roads that are deserted, I’m greeted with a neat “old town” feel in the town of Harrisonville, MO. I stop in a little c-store, and enjoy a visit with a guy and a gal who work there. I check my bearings with them regarding the best way to get to Warrensburg from here, and they seem baffled by the idea that there’s any way to get there other than going up to highway 50 and across. They’re not used to someone who’s looking for a way to avoid traffic. Continue reading “Plain Dumb Courage”

Rick In Kansas

Bicycle Trip People

On my recent bicycle journey from Kansas to Annapolis, I met quite a few really interesting folks. I’m doing a series of posts on these wonderful and interesting people, and this is an installment in that series. While there are others I met along the way as well, these are the ones who I was able to spend enough time with to get a feel for their story.

 

Rick in Kansas

My first day out on this leg of the trip started in Council Grove, Kansas, and ended up in Ottawa, Kansas. There isn’t a lot in-between. It’s a pretty lonely stretch of road – perfect for cycling really. On that first day, I had a cross wind, though it wasn’t terribly strong. I had trained well for this ride, and was feeling strong, so I pushed myself hard on that first day.

It was only about a 70 mile day, and while it was hot, it wasn’t over 100. I figured I was pretty safe pushing hard, and not at much risk regarding water. Continue reading “Rick In Kansas”

The Sweetness of Accomplishment

I’m back home this week, after finishing my bicycle trek across the country a week or so ago. I can’t take enough time off to do the whole trip in one year, so essentially did the western half last year, and the eastern half this year, with the little connector in Kansas the year before. All in all, a little shy of 4000 miles from coast to coast, something between 30 and 40 days of riding.

It was the trip of a lifetime really, with some tough days and some glorious days, a few ugly incidents, but those were vastly outweighed by the kindness and consideration shown me by people from one coast to the other. Continue reading “The Sweetness of Accomplishment”

Cycling Sandbaggers

Borrowed from a cycling discussion board:

Cyclists are notorious sandbaggers. They’ll say anything to soften you up for the kill.

Don’t let this happen to you. Study this handy rider’s phrasebook to find out what they really mean when they say:

“I’m out of shape.”
Translation: I ride 400 miles a week and haven’t missed a day since the Ford administration. I replace my 11-tooth cog more often than you wash your shorts. My body fat percentage is lower than your mortgage rate.

“I’m not into competition. I’m just riding to stay in shape.”
Translation: I will attack until you collapse in the gutter, babbling and whimpering. I will win the sprint if I have to force you into a pine tree. I will crest this hill first if I have to grab your seat post, and spray energy drink in your eyes.

“I’m on my beater bike.”
Translation: I had this baby custom-made in Tuscany using Titanium blessed by the Pope. I took it to a wind tunnel and it disappeared. It weighs less than a fart and costs more than a divorce.

“It’s not that hilly.”
Translation: This climb lasts longer than a presidential campaign. Be careful on the steep sections or you’ll fall over — backward. You have a 39×23 low gear? Here’s the name of my knee surgeon.

“This is a no-drop ride.”
Translation: I’ll need an article of your clothing for the search-and-rescue dogs.

“It’s not that far.”
Translation: Bring your passport.

Cycling from Kansas to Annapolis

Later in 2012, I’m planning on completing the second half of my cycling pilgrimage across the US. I’ll start in eastern Kansas, crossing Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. From there, I’m still working on the route, and would love some first-hand advice on whether to take a northern fork through Cumberland and then down into Annapolis from the north, (much like the RAAM route), or take it straight east and through the DC area.

For now, here’s the route that’s pretty well-defined:

The route uses the Katy Trail across Missouri, but other than that, stays on secondary highways for now.

The Acoustic Motorbike

Great Bicycle Song!

Lyrics to “The Acoustic Motorbike” in Middelburg

The day began with a rainbow in the sand
As I cycled into Kerry
Cattle grazing on a steep hillside
Looked well fed, well balanced
Close to the edge

Pedal on, pedal on, pedal on for miles
Pedal on
Pedal on, pedal on, pedal on for miles
Pedal on

I take a break, I close my eyes
And I’m happy as the dolphin
In a quiet spot talking to myself
Talking about the rain
Talking about the rain
All this rain

Pedal on
Pedal on, pedal on, pedal on for miles
Pedal on

You see whenever I’m alone
I tend to brood
But when I’m out on my bike
It’s a different mood
I leave my brain at home
Get up on the sattle
No hanging around
I don’t diddle-daddle Continue reading “The Acoustic Motorbike”

Bicycle Touring in West Virginia – Grafton to Romney

Day 14 – Grafton to Romney in West Virginia

Later in 2012, I’m planning a bicycle trip from Kansas to Annapolis. While I’m in the planning stages, I’d love to get input from folks familiar with individual portions of the route, with suggestions on changes I might want to make.

Below is a map of a day across West Virgina. Also, here’s a link to the map on Google if you’d like to drag the route around with suggested changes.

 Thanks a ton for any suggestions that will make the route safer or more enjoyable, or things along the way that I’d regret missing. Of course, I’d welcome participation along the route as well. If you’d like to ride a section of it together, let me know, and we’ll see if we can coordinate schedules.

Cycling in West Virginia – Parkersburg to Grafton

Day 13 – Parkersburg, WV to Grafton, WV – Cycling in West Virginia

Later in 2012, I’m planning a bicycle trip from Kansas to Annapolis. While I’m in the planning stages, I’d love to get input from folks familiar with individual portions of the route, with suggestions on changes I might want to make.

Below is a map of Day 13 of the trip. Also, here’s a link to the map on Google if you’d like to drag the route around with suggested changes.

Thanks a ton for any suggestions that will make the route safer or more enjoyable, or things along the way that I’d regret missing. Of course, I’d welcome participation along the route as well. If you’d like to ride a section of it together, let me know, and we’ll see if we can coordinate schedules.