Keep on Pedaling

Summer Starts on the Katy Trail

2011-05-13T20:41:00.001-05:00

For the last several years, at the end of the Spring semester, I've biked across Missouri on the Katy Trail. This will be the first year I've not done the ride with Eric. This year it's a solo trip, beginning Machens' trailhead at the eastern end of the Katy, riding to the end in Clinton, where I'll turn around and bike back to Sedalia for the train to St. Louis. My final trip last summer on RT 66 was a scorcher. But that was at the end of the summer. This early trip will be almost perfect weather.

Orange Leaves In Black and White

2011-02-03T08:06:00.000-06:00

Early Morning Snow Scene

2011-01-22T07:24:00.001-06:00

Just too tricky to bike in such weather:

Ice Sculptures Early Morning

2011-01-19T21:27:00.001-06:00

These will be pretty tomorrow morning in the snow.

Crossing the Finish Line at the MO MS150

2010-09-12T08:37:00.001-05:00

MS 150: Day 2 - 75 Mile Route

2010-09-10T08:50:00.000-05:00

Day 2 75 Mile Route
Find more Bike Rides in Columbia, Missouri

MS 150: Day 1 - 75 Mile Route

2010-09-10T08:46:00.000-05:00

Day 1 - 75 Mile Route
Find more Bike Rides in Columbia, Missouri

BAM!66

2010-08-08T08:23:00.000-05:00

Leaving Quapaw and biking into Kansas on RTE 66

Hot Shade west of Joplin, MO. Did I mention I started this ride

at the beginning of the hottest week in the summer?

More shade

Cooling off in front of a mural in

Carthage, MO

Camp site west of Carthage, MO

Early morning coffee break stop

Red flag. Red barn. Blue sky.

Camp site. Not in the collapsed building. Behind it.

Italian tourists in front of antique shop

Carb loading

Old hotel. Now a maker of funeral memorials. Good camp site.

Shade. In front of ice cooler. Next to Redbox.

Arrow points to cool room

Somewhere on RTE 66

Signage and blue sky

Wounds from ditching bike while being

attacked by dogs

Slighter wound

My Starbucks barrista happens upon me

outside of St. Louis and takes me home.

For those of you who remember such Americana. The AC sure feels good.

2010-08-04T22:09:00.001-05:00

Uploaded by www.cellspin.net

Testing Video Upload to Fb & G

2010-07-28T14:29:00.001-05:00

Uploaded by www.cellspin.net

Rough Maps for BAAM!66

2010-07-28T06:05:00.001-05:00

The ride actually begins in Quapaw, OK, crosses KS, before becoming the Bike Alone Across Missouri on RTE 66.

From Quapaw, Oklahoma, across Kansas, to Joplin, Missouri

Through Joplin

Joplin to Springfield

Through Springfield

Springfield to Waynesville

Waynesville to Sullivan

Sullivan to St. Louis

Little Miracles on the Katy Trail

2010-07-08T08:06:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I biked on the Katy Trail to Hermann,Missouri, where I discovered my wallet had fallen from my bike. I backtracked to Trealor, where I had last opened my bike bag. The wallet was there on the ground beside the trailhead shelter! I then had to backtrack 15 miles back to Hermann. Needless to say the extra 30 miles took it's toll. Still, I enjoyed hot jamacian jerk wings at Wings-a-Blazing. The bad news is that the Trealor Bar and Grill has closed. It was one of my favorite camp sites on the trail.

Biking into St. Louis

2010-06-19T21:01:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Eric and I crossed the McKinnley Bridge into St. Louis. At the Illinois/Missouri state line, we were in much better spirits than in Granite City, where we stopped at a station, terribly hot, and the people running the store wouldn't fill Eric's waterbottles, even after he bought a soda and a bag of chips. But at the top of the bridge, with downtown St. Louis in sight, we were feeling like we had just accomplished something to be remembered: we had rode our bikes across Illinois, from Chicago to St. Louis. How many grown men can say they have, according to Eric's mileage log, biked 372 miles together? All I can say is that I couldn't ask for a better biking partner. At the top of the bridge, on the state line, we took one last picture of our bikes, and Eric took one of me straddling the state line. We then went our separate ways. Eric bikes alone to Kirkwood, passing a flooded section of downtown St. Louis, while I biked up from the river into downtown, further up to Olive, and still further up to Grand and Lindel, and finally up to Skinker, with a flat stretch almost to home, with a final climb up to Shaftsbury, and, at last, a fast downhill to Drexel, the garage, and home.

Hot as Hell

2010-06-18T15:27:00.001-05:00

'nuf said. But you should see Eric!

From Litchfield to Edwardsville

2010-06-18T13:05:00.001-05:00

What started out as a pleasant morning ride is quickly turning into a scorcher, especially after the worse climb of trip into Edwardsville. Outside of Litchfield we had a shady rest at an antique Shell Station in Mt. Olive. The next leg into The Hare Stop in Stauntom was as nice. At the Hare Shop I got a RTE 66 pin and Hare patch for my work bag. The Stonehenge of cars an interesting sight! By now the day has heated up, the stop in Halem wasna welcome relief. The last leg to Edwardsville was bad. 10 miles of no shade and a a killer hill on 157 into town. I lost my do-rag and sweat was dropping in my eyes and I took the hill blind and finally arrived in ill humor here at Wasabi where Eric was sitting in the shade! But we are both cooled off and Eric has had his sushi and now we're committed to the home stretch.

Nearing the End of a Hard Day

2010-06-17T18:52:00.001-05:00

Here is Eric resting under the overpass into Waggoner. You catch shade wherever it is! Later, further down the road, Eric will see something flash in the tall grass. He thinks it's a police officer's badge. A good find on a road trip. He stops to walk back for his prize. It will be just a crushed can. But for the moment the hallucination is worth the hard day on the bike.

The Tar and Gravel Road

2010-06-17T16:07:00.001-05:00

I've been on a lot of bad roads. The road from the state line of Missouri to Syracuse, Kansas, for instance, and the long death ride of a road from La Junta to Walsenberg, Colorado. But S Pawnee road in Illinois is the worse. It's a long road through corn fields, with just one tree along the way for shade. It's uphill. But worse it's tar and gravel. It was so hot today the tar was bubbling and popping under our tires like snap crackers on the fourth of July. Our tires sank into the tar which coated the tires and acted as glue for gravel. We had to stop and peel it off, and it looks like the blown tires of interstate semis. We quickly used our phones to find another route. We were on the wrong road anyway.

Eating in Pawnee

2010-06-17T12:24:00.000-05:00

According to our maps, there are no services between Pawnee and
Litchfield. That's 35 miles of cornfields. Could be soy. So we have
stopped at the Pawnee Family Restuarant to eat and drink water and to
fill our water bottles. I'm having a hot open-faced turkey sandwich.
Eric is eating some great looking fried walleye. Then we'll be back in
the heat!

Finding Pawnee

2010-06-17T12:10:00.000-05:00

I have stopped here on the road to Pawnee to wait for Eric, who
earlier stopped to take a call. A few miles back I came to a road
closed sign but biked through. Up the road some guys were rebuilding a
bridge but let me bike over. I am now waiting for Eric. Here he comes!
He will tell me the Illinois trolls charged him $5 to cross because
they had charged me 10.

Lincoln, IL

2010-06-17T08:02:00.001-05:00

Yesterday Eric and I stopped for lunch in Lincoln. Afterwards, while Eric blogged, I took a nap on the covered sidewalk of the townsquare. In front of me is the Logan Courthouse; behind me was Dickson's Tacos and More. Wayne Dickson, along with his wife, were the owners. Mr. Dickson was a talker. He's been in the Mexican food business for years. He's proud of his 59-cents taco.

Atlanta and Eric

2010-06-17T07:43:00.000-05:00

Eric is a great bike partner. We ride well together, and we don't mind
splitting up and meeting somewhere down the road. Over the years of
biking together, we've never lost one another. Eric does have a unique
quality. Though he's very leisurely in the morning, once he's on his
bike he likes to get to the next point fast. We were coming up to
Atlanta yesterday and Eric was wanting to take a short cut bypass, but
i said the purpose of the trip was to follow 66, which he admitted to,
and so we passed through Atlanta, with the unique signage below. Even
Eric was happy with pictures that he took.

Signage

2010-06-17T07:35:00.001-05:00

For the most part the route home is marked with signage that says
Historic Route 66 or Old Route 66. At times we've bikes for miles
without seeing a sign, and once yesterday we thought we we were on 66
when in fact we were on a parallel road about a half mile west. Thank
goodness for iPhones and Google maps. But the sign below is the only
one I've seen that designates 66 as a bike route. The sign is in
McLean, IL.

In Springfield

2010-06-17T07:20:00.000-05:00

It's Thursday morning and I just used my Store Locater to find a
Starbucks. Good fortune! The store is smack on the route home to St.
Louis. I'm sitting here drinking a tall coffee, waiting for Eric, who
was still packing when I left him. He has his phone, which I just
called with directions. He'll eventually come biking in.

Love the Land of Lincoln

2010-06-16T21:19:00.001-05:00

Eric and I had an easy time getting through Normal/Bloomington this
morning. The WALK view of Google maps gives great directions for
bikers because the map keeps you off interstates and other super major
highways, though at times you do have to be comfortable with heavy,
fast traffic. The picture below is a plaque in downtown Bloomington.
Lincoln is everywhere in Illinois, whose motto, if can visualize the
signs correctly, is "Love the Land of Lincoln." All those Ls!

Trek Goes Internation

2010-06-16T11:32:00.000-05:00

This is a group of tourists from Belgium, France, and Switzerland.
Eric and I met them in McLean. I was able to talk with them using
Spanish! They're heading to STL on Cavallo bus. And I think we all
agreed to meet under the Arch. I hope they don't wait too long!

Leaving Normal

2010-06-16T08:13:00.000-05:00

It looks like the rain of yesterday is gone and the sun is out in
Normal, Illinois. Eric is being lazy, I'm waiting. It would be nice if
the weather stayed as good as it is now, but sense says the closer we
getbto St. Louis, the hotter it will get.

Luck Never Lasts

2010-06-15T16:56:00.001-05:00

Eric and I are resting at a Fast Stop in Towanda, Illinois. We have
been biking through a storm since leaving Lexinton. Except for a
trucker who didn't want to swing left and slow down, the ride has been
most refreshing.

Wayne Field

2010-06-15T13:59:00.000-05:00

Wayne is an apiarist in Pontiac, Illinois. He keeps 19 bee hives and
collects enough honey to pay the bills.

Another Station

2010-06-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

Too bad you no longer find stations like this.

Technology

2010-06-15T08:59:00.001-05:00

On such an old road the present intrudes.

Flashback

2010-06-15T08:58:00.001-05:00

This is old gas station outside of Dwight. It reminds me of trips as a
child to Little Rock. The family, along with the dog, would load into
the Corvair and my father would drive until late night when he would
stop at a station like this and we would sleep under the Texaco Star.

Dwight, Illinois

2010-06-15T07:03:00.000-05:00

Eric and I camped last night in Garret Park in Dwight, Illinois. A
couple of weeks ago a tornado touches down in the park and moved
through the nearby neighborhood. A dude in a bar last night where we
had wings told us about a trestle, it wasn't his, that came through
his roof. A woman we saw walking told us about her roof that was blown
away.

Yesterday Eric and I passed the Riviera, a 66 attraction, that was
burned down. A man here at Casey's where we've stopped for coffee and
a phone charge told us the rumor or arson. Sad to think someone would
destroy a bit of history for a little money.

Oooooh!

2010-06-14T17:19:00.000-05:00

Marilyn digging my bike at the Polk-a-Dot in Braidwood.

Looks Like 66

2010-06-14T17:17:00.000-05:00

The Gemini Giant at the Launching Pad in Wilmington, IL.

Documentation

2010-06-14T17:16:00.000-05:00

Notice the 66 sign behind my head. This on a shed outside Mr. B's in
Elwood.

Mr B's on 66

2010-06-14T17:14:00.000-05:00

This place had a delicious cheeseburger!

Technology and Maps

2010-06-14T11:39:00.001-05:00

Our iPhones and iPad deliver us to 66.

Old Joliet Prison

2010-06-14T11:37:00.000-05:00

We enter Joliet, Illinois, and see this beautiful closed prison. It
reminds me of Attica, where I taught a few classes while living in
Buffalo.

Best Roast Beef

2010-06-14T11:35:00.000-05:00

In Lockport, Illinos, Little John's claims to have the best roast beef
sandwich. The roadside joint was closed.

Leaving in Search for 66

2010-06-14T07:26:00.001-05:00

This is Eric at Buckingham Fountain. Supposedly the one-time start of
RTE 66. We rode from there to almost Joliet and never saw a 66 road
sign, and we were following a ridiculous map printed by Bike Illinois.
Don't use it! You'll get lost and get sicknof turning left or right
every .1 mile! So this morning, almost 40 miles from Chicago, almost
to Joliet, Eric and begin our search for the Old 66 to take us across
the Chain of Rocks. As Eric wisely says, "We chucked the map and
there's looking back."

Multimedia message

2010-06-13T08:52:00.001-05:00

Eric happy after setting up Mobile Blog.

Eric Arrives

2010-06-13T07:08:00.000-05:00

Eric is dropped off, along with his bike, at STL Amtrak station.

Getting on the Lincoln Service

2010-06-13T07:07:00.001-05:00

My bike loaded for the train from St. Louis to Chicago.

RTE 66 Preparation

2010-06-12T17:52:00.001-05:00

Gotta have my morning coffee. Starbucks' VIA to pack in bag!

After 457.57 Miles Across Iowa

2009-07-25T11:48:00.000-05:00

Last Stop: 10 Miles from the Mississippi River

2009-07-25T10:37:00.000-05:00

Outside Mount Pleasant

2009-07-25T07:21:00.000-05:00

Outside Mount Pleasant II

2009-07-24T20:35:00.000-05:00

Outside Mount Pleasant I

2009-07-24T20:34:00.000-05:00

Four Miles From Mount Pleasant I Stop to Rest

2009-07-24T16:27:00.000-05:00

Highschool Band in Pekem, Iowa

2009-07-24T10:07:00.000-05:00

15 Miles to Ottumwa

2009-07-23T18:39:00.000-05:00

Popcicle Stop In Unionville, Iowa

2009-07-23T13:10:00.000-05:00

Iowa Pond

2009-07-23T11:30:00.000-05:00

Inside Old Bethlehem Church, Iowa

2009-07-23T11:19:00.000-05:00

Old Bethlehem Church, Iowa

2009-07-23T11:17:00.000-05:00

Delicious Pie

2009-07-23T11:13:00.000-05:00

Chariton, Iowa

2009-07-22T18:45:00.000-05:00

All-You-Can Eat Watermelon

2009-07-22T16:26:00.001-05:00

Stage Music in Lacona, Iowa

2009-07-22T12:15:00.000-05:00

Lacona, Iowa

2009-07-22T12:03:00.001-05:00

Between Milo and Lacona

2009-07-22T11:43:00.000-05:00

Wednesday Breakfast

2009-07-22T08:47:00.000-05:00

Morning After Bike Crash

2009-07-22T07:11:00.000-05:00

Bridge Found

2009-07-21T14:03:00.000-05:00

Main ST Covered Bridge

2009-07-21T13:36:00.000-05:00

Attractions in Rural Iowa

2009-07-21T13:29:00.000-05:00

Best to Walk

2009-07-21T11:54:00.000-05:00

The Day's Halfway

2009-07-21T10:52:00.000-05:00

Does Saturday Exist in Macksburg, Iowa

2009-07-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

Grain silos in Orient, Iowa

2009-07-21T07:22:00.000-05:00

Old Barn in Iowa

2009-07-21T07:17:00.000-05:00

Iowan Rain

2009-07-20T18:21:00.001-05:00

Night in Greenfield, Iowa

2009-07-20T17:46:00.000-05:00

Greenfield Welcome

2009-07-20T17:32:00.000-05:00

Moo

2009-07-20T14:46:00.000-05:00

Orange Gatorade for Me

2009-07-20T14:41:00.001-05:00

Home to Jhonny

2009-07-20T10:51:00.000-05:00

Got Your Goat

2009-07-20T10:42:00.001-05:00

Books in the Heartland

2009-07-20T07:22:00.000-05:00

Carnegie Library in Red Oak, Iowa

2009-07-19T15:26:00.000-05:00

RABBRAI Day 1: Council Bluffs to Red Oak

2009-07-19T15:19:00.000-05:00

Books and Wire

2009-07-19T11:29:00.000-05:00

Bananas and Cold Water

2009-07-19T09:53:00.000-05:00

First Pass Town on RAGBRAI Day 1

2009-07-19T09:49:00.001-05:00

Coffee Stop

2009-07-19T07:22:00.000-05:00

Night before RAGBRAI Day 1

2009-07-18T18:09:00.000-05:00

Pedestrian Bridge from Omaha. NE, to Council Bluffs, IA

2009-07-18T15:49:00.000-05:00

The Night Before the Shuttle to RAGBRAI

2009-07-17T20:07:00.000-05:00

Postcard from an iPhone

2009-07-16T16:07:00.000-05:00

Bike at Kirkwood Station

2009-06-06T08:24:00.000-05:00

The bike waits for the train to Kansas City.

First Stop Statbucks

2009-06-06T05:53:00.000-05:00

I stop at Starbucks on the way to the train.

Night Before Cross Missouri Ride, From West to East

2009-06-05T20:29:00.001-05:00

The bike is packed for tomorrow's early morning ride to the Kirkwood
train station. I'll stop first at the Loop Starbucks, and then ride to
the train and the trip to Kansas City. From there I'll bike back to
St. Louis.

Flowers Along the Katy Trail

2009-05-20T09:52:00.000-05:00

I need an iPhone app to identify them!

After a Cold Hose Bath

2009-05-19T19:44:00.001-05:00

I've changed to go to the Treloar Grill for a cheeseburger and fries.

Camp in Treloar

2009-05-19T19:41:00.000-05:00

If you're biking the Katy Trail be sure to plan an overnight stop in
Treloar.

Peers

2009-05-19T16:57:00.000-05:00

Last stop before Trealor. Great room to let upstairs. But it's a tent
tonight.

Rest Stop in Dutzow

2009-05-19T14:18:00.000-05:00

I'm in now rush to pitch camp in Trealor, so I've stopped to read at
the Dutzow Katy Trail grill.

Every Good Biker Enjoys a Beer

2009-05-19T12:49:00.001-05:00

Cold Tannhauser at Augusta Brewery

Bikes Geared for Katy Trial

2009-05-19T11:47:00.000-05:00

First summer trip on the KT. From Defiance to Missouri.