Official Ride in Alaska

Skagway, Alaska
July 8, 2019
22 miles

Today was our official ride in Alaska because we are actually on a tandem bicycle. We threw in yesterday's ride in Juneau as an "extra". It is another perfect weather day. How could we have been so lucky? We rented a Trek tandem from Sockeye Cycle Co. and are on our own, no group tours today.  

We rode 11 miles out to Dyea, Alaska, which was a boomtown during the Klondike Gold Rush in 1897-1898, but is now a ghost town. The road started out paved but 4 miles out of Skagway it turned into a dirt road. Fortunately the bike was outfitted for that kind of surface. It is a good thing we left our tandem at home and rented one here. Our shoes were not locked on to the pedals and we struggled throughout the day because of that. My foot kept slipping off of the pedals and we were unable to stand when we would go uphill. And, we had plenty of uphill! It's Alaska, I shouldn't have expected anything else! Let's just say - our legs got the best workout in all of our previous 48 states that we have ridden in.

After the first uphill, overlooking Skagway and the cruise ships.

The scenery was absolutely breathtaking!!!

Along the way were several places to stop and read about the area, the gold rush and Chilkoot Trail. We took advantage of all the stops so we could learn about the history and to rest our legs! There were times along this road where we were the only people around. It was an amazing feeling to be bicycling with no one in view and to have the majestic mountains, the crisp cold water and a regal bald eagle as our backdrop and companion. 

Alaska was the 49th state to enter the Union and it was our 49th state to ride a tandem bicycle in. Cheers to number 49!

Juneau, Alaska

Juneau, Alaska

July 7, 2019

8.5 miles

Disclaimer: I know that we are not riding a tandem bike (that will come later in our trip). I still felt like writing a blog about our experience here in Juneau. This was an excursion offered through the cruise line. Since it involved bike riding, hey what the heck, why not do it!

We were met at the dock by our tour guide and driver. There were ten of us from two different cruise ships participating in this excursion. My cousins, Byron and Christy Cate, decided to join us on this tour. We were driven to the starting point on the campus of the University of Alaska Southeast. Alaska was in the midst of an unusual heat wave, it was a perfect riding temperature of 77 degrees. As a matter of fact, all the biking clothes I brought on this trip were for cool to cold temperatures and possible rain. I didn't need any of those clothes today. As you can see from the picture, I am wearing regular clothes.

Our first stop was by a rain forest. It is strange to me because I wouldn't have thought that Alaska and rain forest would have been used in the same sentence. Our second stop was a viewing point for Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls in Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in North America. We had a clear, picturesque view which our guide said does not always happen. I am so thankful that we had a perfect weather day!

We ended our ride at the visitor center for Mendenhall Glacier. From there we decided to hike to Nugget Falls. It was beautiful and gave us a close up view of both the glacier and falls. 

We saw lots of Bald Eagles today. No bears or moose (I was watching for them)! To celebrate our fantastic ride we ended up at Tracy's King Crab Shack for the biggest and best crab legs EVER!

Flag Day 2019

June 14, 2019
21 miles
Madison County Trails

Today is National Flag Day and the flags were really flying. There was a stiff wind out of the South and we really struggled going into it. We are trying to make up for some lost riding time and we've ridden almost every day this week so we are very tired. We just didn't have the stamina today for the brutal wind! After fighting it for awhile we decided to turn around, which changed our planned route slightly. 

It was a very interesting riding day. We encountered several work vehicles on the trail. We've never seen this many on one ride. We had to pass 4 different areas where they were doing work. It is nice to know they are taking such good care of the downed trees and other problems. We love our MCT Trails!

Another strange occurrence today was we passed Captain Underpants, at least that's the nickname Clay dubbed him. He literally was wearing very tight, very skimpy underpants (or could have been a speedo). I'm also pretty sure they were Red, White and Blue. I guess he was showing his support for Flag Day. I wanted to get a picture but it was too awkward. By the way, he was a walker, not a bicyclist. 

We don't have a lot of rides planned for this summer but we will pick up our 49th State in July - Alaska. We also would like to do another Century ride but still need to put in many more miles to get in perfect shape to accomplish that, so that ride will probably occur in the hottest month of the summer - August!

All Because I Wanted to Eat Pizza in Marthasville

August 9, 2018
100 miles

Earlier in the summer when we rode the KATY Trail we ate at a great restaurant at one of the trail heads. I mentioned to Clay that we should eat there before he goes back to school. Well, that turned in to: Let's do a bike ride also since it is right on the KATY Trail. Then, that turned in to: We've biked 900 miles this summer, why not do a Century Ride and make it 1000 miles. So, all because I wanted to eat Pizza in Marthasville, we are riding 100 miles today!

Beginning of the day. We're not hurting yet!

7 AM

70 degrees

Arrived at the St. Charles trail head. Took two ibuprofen before leaving - because I know there will be pain! Wearing a wind jacket because its just a little cool. Experienced a foot cramp about 15 miles into the ride. Was able to work through it without stopping.

8:20 AM

74 degrees

17 miles

First rest stop at Weldon Spring trail head. Warming up so I removed my jacket.

Random thought: Why is my stomach growling already!

9:13 AM

77 degrees

27 miles

Augusta trail head. Ate some trail mix because I'm hungry and I know I'm going to need the energy.

Random thought: That's an appropriate snack for our ride!

10:10 AM

82 degrees

39 miles

Marthasville trail head. This is where we are going to eat lunch but it's too early. We'll continue riding until we hit the 50 mile mark and will stop here on the way back to eat lunch. Removed my socks, I'm starting to get hot. Rinsed dirt off of the water bottles. Started standing and pedaling to get our bottoms off the saddles for small stretches. I call this pedal dancing.

Random thought: If I take much more off this will turn in to a Bare Naked Ride!

We saw naked ladies all day!

11:15 AM

85 degrees

50 miles

Stopped just West of Bernheimer on the KATY Trail. My ice has melted in the water bottles. I struggle drinking water without ice.

Random thought: Someone should put ice machines at the trail heads!

12:10 PM

86 degrees

59 miles

Stopped at the Charrette bridge. Getting really tired. We need lunch, luckily it's just 4 more miles. Doing a lot of pedal dancing.

Random thought: Shouldn't have stayed up until 1 AM last night. 4 hours of sleep wasn't enough!

12:30 PM

87 degrees

61 miles

Lunch at Philly's in Marthasville. Took 2 more ibuprofen. The restaurant let us fill our water bottles with ice and water. So thankful, now I can drink again. Back on the trail at 1:30 PM.

2:07 PM

88 degrees

70 miles

Stopped at Nona (it's one house and one silo). This is not a trail head but it does have a bench in the shade. Not only are we tired and sore but now we have a head wind to deal with. Will have to take it slow and make lots of stops.

Random thought: Have seen scat several places on the trail. It makes me think about the bear sightings in Missouri this summer. I'm wondering, if we encounter a bear on the trail, will we be able to out pedal a running bear? I guess I could throw trail mix his way!

2:52 PM

76 miles

Stopped at another shaded bench East of Augusta. Looking forward to having some ice cream in Defiance. A cold treat is sounding mighty fine. This has officially become our longest ride.

Random thought: The miles have gotten longer since this morning!

3:20 PM

88 degrees

80 miles

Pulled in to the bike store in Defiance and ate some ice cream out on their patio. Enjoyed every bite. The last section that we biked was mostly in wooded areas so we had a wind break. The miles went back to being normal length. I'm out of ice again.

Random thought: I wonder if riding 100 miles will lower my cholesterol number. Probably not because of the pizza and ice cream!

The view from one of the
trail benches we rested at.

4:30 PM

90 miles

We did good to make 10 miles before having to stop. We are really worn out. Sat at more shaded benches along the trail. Two tandems have passed us going in the opposite direction this afternoon. One had panniers and a trailer and the other tandem just had a trailer. Would have liked to have spoken to them. I'm curious about their journey.

Random thought: That could be Clay and I some day. I both love and hate the idea!

5:15 PM

100 miles

WE DID IT! Our first Century Ride!

Single But Not For Long

June 29, 2018
17 miles

This evening Clay and I went for a bike ride but not on our tandem. The tandem is at the Bike Surgeon for some much needed work. We had put off several maintenance issues and they couldn't be ignored any longer. Tomorrow when we pick her up she'll have new chains, new ball bearings in both wheels, new brake pads, new cassette, new eccentric bracket and a general overhaul, tune-up and lube! Whew, It will be almost like getting a brand new bike.

So, anyway, tonight we rode our hybrid single bikes, even though there is an "Excessive Heat" Warning. It's always a big adjustment for me to get on the single bike. I have to steer, manage my own gears and brakes, keep my balance and watch where I'm going. None of those things I have to do when I'm on the tandem. It's quite comical to watch me! 

After last nights storms the trail had lots of debris, sticks and leaves mostly, so there was lots to steer around this evening. Any trees that had fallen and blocked the trail had been moved which was nice that those were taken care of so fast. We did have to watch for low hanging branches and Clay found himself wanting to call out "duck" to me like we do when riding the tandem. Old habits die hard!

It was an enjoyable ride but I prefer riding the tandem!

KATY Trail 2018

June 3 - June 8, 2018
242 miles

Tom and Susan Weaver accompanied us on their tandem
Abby Weaver was our SAG

 At the end in Machens, Missouri

This was our third time to ride the KATY and Tom and Susan's first. We were very excited to introduce them to the trail. The last two times that Clay and I biked the KATY it was very hot and dry, just what you'd expect August to be. This time we planned our trip in June and I was looking forward to cooler weather and just prayed that we wouldn't have any rainy days. We were very fortunate and had near perfect weather. Most days I started with a wind jacket but discarded it after awhile. The two previous rides Clay and I would pedal, pedal, pedal as quickly as we could in the sunny parts and then coast through the shady areas. This time was just the opposite, quickly pedal through the shade and coast through the sunny parts!

We did have a few struggles. The first two days are slightly uphill and there is no coasting due to the crushed limestone trail. This takes a toll on the legs. As Clay so accurately put it - the first two days are the cake and then it's icing after that. Clay and I also had a few issues with our timing chain, which Clay had to repair in Marthasville. Yay for our SAG vehicle!

Repairing the timing chain

We met several interesting people/families/groups this week as we all were heading east on the trail. We would take turns passing each other depending on where we spent the night and where we took rest stops. It is always fun hearing someone else's story. 

We stayed in some really great places - old hotels, B&Bs and even a log cabin. The food we ate tasted so good! I think it has to do with all the cycling, somehow it makes the food delicious! And, I eat so much of it, I never lose weight when I bike the KATY Trail!

We had another great week riding the KATY. We are very fortunate to have this trail so close. I hope it lived up to the Weavers expectations and that it will hold a fond spot in their memories, I know it will in ours!

 One should always carry a selfie stick!

Having some fun in Sedalia!

Northern Delaware Greenway Trail - Delaware

May 24, 2018
14 miles

Washington Bridge, Wilmington, Delaware

When I picked this Delaware Trail to ride I chose the filter to only give me the Rail Trail options, which are usually mostly level. While we were in New Jersey we started looking more closely at the trail and reading comments about it. Many people talked about how hilly it was and that there was even a 9% grade on one of the climbs. So we debated about changing to a different trail in a different city. We had our minds made up to switch. Then, this morning on our way to Delaware we decided to go back to our original choice. We weren't going to end our vacation riding a wimpy trail - we would go out in a blaze of glory riding a challenging trail!

Found a great parking spot in Brandywine Park close to the Wilmington Zoo. We enjoyed a picnic lunch, provide by Ben and Linda Novick, under the shade trees. The weather was perfect for a picnic and a ride.

Less than a mile after beginning our ride we encountered the first hill, which was just a taste of what was ahead. Later, as we started up the 9% grade, we were pedaling in a standing position and kept feeling the back tire slip. I was feeling unsafe, plus I could hardly breathe, so we stopped and walked the rest of the way up. After riding up and down, and round and round, through the woods and into a neighborhood, we decided we were lost. Stopped to check the computer and sure enough we had missed our turn so we had to backtrack. It makes things exciting, right? This trail was so curvy and had lots of off shoots that we got lost several times today. It's hard when you are visiting a trail and your not familiar with with the path and the signage is not good.

One interesting thing we found today was the historic Blue Ball Barn. We stopped for a break and to read the history about the barn, which really doesn't look like a barn. The farmhouse, now gone, was once the Blue Ball Tavern, so named because it hoisted a blue wooden ball to tell passing stagecoach drivers that passengers were waiting. The later dairy and this barn were named for the tavern.

We were pretty proud of ourselves, after walking up the big hill, known to locals as "Death Hill", we did not walk up any other ones. Delaware was our 48th state to ride in. The only two states left now are Alaska and Hawaii and our beloved and trusty Cannondale tandem will not make those trips with us. We plan to ride those states on a rented tandem. It won't be the same but we look forward to the last two states.