Trailside update

http://youtu.be/cdzMlA3edDc

Day 2 Sedalia to Rocheport video update

http://youtu.be/vActO6w7udI

Long day down

Our longest day was today with 50+ miles from Sedalia to Rocheport.  Out of Sedalia the trail remains unimproved so its marked on the road and we rode through quiet neighborhoods on this Sunday am. We crossed over into the Ozark region and it became noticeably different with more rocky features.  Pilot Grove was our stop for lunch around the 25 mi mark.  The Tyler Market is new and the sandwiches were piled high and Matthew the sandwich maker was so incredibly hospitable.  There was an interesting story told about a woman whose pig was killed by the train and they wouldnt pay for it so every day she would spread lard on the tracks, and the trains couldnt make the slight grade.  After a few days the train company paid her in full.  The hill we heard was named Lard Hill.  We rolled along another 10 miles to Boonville and ended up stopping at the Isle of Capri casino for lunch that consisted of a Farmer Burger (1/2 lb pattie, split hot dog,american, swiss, tomato, lettuce and pickle).  Despite the heart palpatations and spiked cholesterol, we made it the last 13 miles to The Katy Trail B&B. Awesome stay after a very long day w/  our group some good wine and a bonfire.  Rae wants to thank Jon Murchak her personal trainer for making today a little less painful :)

Recap of Day 1 Clinton to Sedalia

http://youtu.be/ejk3Xoja1P8

Summited!

Today wa an early start as we got an early wake up from St Charles for the 4 hr shuttle to Clinton where the Katy starts.  We were on the trail by noon for the 38 mi ride to Sedalia.  The trail is crushed limestone and rides very much like the GAP but is wider and has a firmer base.  The trail scenery today was prairies, farms and surprisingly woods.  Saw some large lizards or slamanders run along the trail along with some great birds We've never seen.  Some unexpected longer easy grade hills lead us to the whopping 955' summit of the Katy.  The towns were very small we traveled through and we were glad to reach Sedalia by 5 where we checked in at Hotell Bothwell.  Harry Truman actually visited this hotel and announced his bid for the US Senate.  Dinner w/ the Pittsburgh crew and we are turning in early.  Big 50+ mi day tomorrow to Rocheport.  

St Charles before our trip begins...and where it will end

We got a nice jump on the trip driving to Columbus last night and then making the 6 hr drive into St Charles, MO today.  St Charles is well known for its renedvouz point for Lewis & Clark's Corps of Discovery.  Just so happened that Lewis & Clark Days is going on here in St Charles this weekend so we had a chance to see the reenactment camps being setup along with meeting the great great great grandson of Clark.  He shared with us that the original boat for the Corps was actually made in Elizabeth, PA and when they traced the voyage in 2003, that is where they started.  St Charles' historic district is very nice with about 20 blocks of small, quaint shops and little cafes.  We grabbed a quick bite at the Bike Stop Cafe right off the Katy Trail today.   Trailhead Brewing is a stones throw from our stay tonight so that will be an early dinner...shuttle and first day on the trail tomorrow beginning 237 miles away in Clinton, MO.  The journey on the Katy begins!  

Back In The Saddle

Rae said the other morning while we were gearing up for a 40+ mi day, "I wonder how many people have to train and get in shape for their vacations." Funny.  While riding we talked about what it is that we like so much about bicycle touring and travel in general, and we both agreed that its the stories we have when we return.  Later this week we will be heading to Missouri to once again add some pages to that story book while bicycling 237 miles along the Katy Trail.   It was an old rail line that served Missouri, Kansas and Texas that was known as the MKT or the Katy. Restored train depots and rail cars will be along the way according to the guidebooks but its the small towns, inn keepers, wineries and getting back to life on the trail we are both looking forward to experiencing.  Really looking forward to getting back on the trail.