July 4th stories

I was riding along the Katy trail today. Didn’t really have a place to stay though I had checked about a place for bicyclist and hikers that was an old railroad support building. Being a holiday I left a message just for fun. I eventually arrived and found the door locked. I did not expect different. As I am wandering around the building there hanging on a telephone pole is the key to the place and it says if you are a bicyclist you may stay one night without a reservation. I fit the bill! The air conditioning is on, everything is in good repair and on the fridge there is a note about a meal service. I text the number and they tell me the community is having a 4th of July picnic and I am welcome.

Gear chat

I have been on the ride for sometime now. Those who have been following me have seen photos of my bicycle set up. Generally I consider it the classic touring set up. There is nothing I would change. I am happy with the 38mm tires, for this particular route I would not go thinner. There are too many gravel sections. If it rained more I would also get rid of the fenders. As long as there is no real mud they are fine. A muddy trail would be a problem though. Pedals with some grip are good, but too agressive can rip up your legs. Perhaps it is just riding in them a ton before would help. Also my thought of carrying a battery pack that could be recharged during the day from the dynamo hub is not really viable I had the best success in using it to recharge my Garmin 540 on the go I also actually carry a small floor pump with me I would not trade it for the world it has a gauge and can put out some volume which is helpful in seating a tire bead I also use Jones H bars with I believe a 2.5 degree rise? They are my favorite they keep me upright and provide me plenty of steering control. My bicycle is a Surly Disc Trucker set up with bullet proof mechanical brakes and shifters. I will speak more another day about the measures of my riding that I find important

Another story

I was riding on the route today trying to work out a place to stay. The place I had checked on was full. Towards the end of the day I found a campground. It was okay, but did not inspire my confidence. I rolled on to a small village with an ice cream shop. I went in and ordered a ton of stuff to cool me down. The woman working there was bragging about the beautiful apartment she was registering on Airbnb. I told her I was ready to try it out. She got me a key and set me up! Super nice place. Better than I could have imagined.

Brunswick Missouri

I am getting closer to the Katy trail here in Missouri. I hope to explore it more when I get closer. I am hoping there will be some easy access to info. Sometimes the internet is just too confusing and it is hard to find when you have a definitive source.

The backstory of the last few days

I was riding along one day in some Missouri hill country when a pickup truck went by in the opposite direction. Then it pulled up beside me and the guy started to chat. The conversation was heavy on God and Jesus. As the conversation was wrapping up he asked if he could pray for me. I said yes, thinking he would pray for me generally at some point in his day. Well, he immediately took off his hat, stood by me and started to pray. At the end of it all he told me about some churches up the road and that he would call ahead to the Pastor at the last one to look out for me. He told me about a resident who would provide water about half way there if I needed.

I found the guy for water out tilling his garden, he filled my bottles and I continued on to the church I found a large carport/awning to sleep under and a couple of hours later the Pastor came to check on me. The next day I left and had been pedaling for a number of hours and I came across a small store/deli thing, it turned out it was run by Mennonite folks, I had a sandwich, some ice cream and a drink he told me I should pass one town in favor of another. I stopped where I am now in Mooresville and met the town chairman who gave me ice water and pointed me to the park where I am staying tonight

Mooresville Missouri

A nice quiet park tonight.

Fairport Missouri

I am leaving it now, headed for points east. Looks to be a sunny day.