Recollections from the edge of death

I never knew I was going to be hit. I never understood that I’d been hit. I just remember talking to a lot of people. I suppose both helicopter emergency room. Maybe I spoke with the officer at the scene. I had lost a huge amount of blood and they put a giant IV in me to put more blood in but when you think about it OK well if you were hit a little harder or a different angle, maybe I would be dead but of course you don’t know you’re dead as funny as that Sounds And so it’s very odd to think about it as well. What is the outcome? I lived I haven’t looked back I’m alive. I’m moving forward but just as well. I could be dead and that is the split second difference I really wouldn’t know to say, interesting reflection. New surgery coming up in a couple days and moving on to a rehab center next week here in Indiana.

Still around

my bones and muscles continue to heal and more surgeries are scheduled. At some point I will be moved to a rehabilitation place here in Indiana

Unhappy Femur

Airport security is going to to be awkward

Update

I have been in the hospital for 4-5 days. Left humorous broken above elbow. Left femur has been shattered. Rod in femur now and metal in arm.

Oops - Accidents Happen

I have some broken bones. I’m in the hospital in Indianapolis. More to follow...

Linton Indiana tonight

Small town, but with a surprising amount of traffic. It must be on the way to somewhere!

Robinson Illinois tonight

It was a longer ride today, about 96 miles. Some days are like that. I just didn’t want to spend the night on a church or community center lawn so I just pedaled for hours! Tomorrow I will be crossing the border into Indiana.

Vandalia Illinois

Each day a little more progress.

Illinois

I had an enjoyable ride out of St Charles today. I rode over the bridge that spans the Mississippi River. I am now in Edwardsville Illinois

St Charles

Tomorrow I cross into Illinois my day was a little short so it allowed for a rest.

This was some strange structure on my trek today

Marthasville Missouri

I am still on the Katy trail. I was able to find a bed in a hostel tonight. Sometimes poaching a spot in the park is no fun.

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.

Maryville Missouri

I arrived last night. It is a small town with a college. Headed down the road this morning. The Wabash Trace trail ended in Blanchard, back on roads now

Shenandoah Iowa

It was a nice shaded trail today. The Wabash Trace Trail is an old rail to trail conversion.

Out of Nebraska!

A short stay in Council Bluffs Iowa and then moving on to the Wabash Trace trail.

Blair Nebraska

I stayed an extra day in Blair and am off this morning. It was nice to take a day off after the grit/crushed gravel roads. I spent the day checking out the town and speaking with the locals.

Scribner tonight.

Small town just above Omaha. Not sure about the wild kingdom part.

Norfolk Nebraska today!

Only a 75 mile ride, but that was long enough. Norfolk is in eastern Nebraska. I think I am growing weary of the grasslands, corn fields etc.

If not hot, then wind

50 miles today to O’Neill Nebraska, super windy. Now outside it is raining sideways, could make for an interesting morning.

I feel like I have seen all the grasslands I need to see, really feel like I have probably had enough. Not sure what the next state will bring. I will let you know when I find it. Here is a photo of the wind messing with my sun hat!

Wow! 104 degrees Hot Hot Hot

Left Valentine super early in the cool of the morning. After 65 miles ended up in Bassett on the Cowboy Trail. The cowboy trail is an old rail line. We will be on it again tomorrow.

Valentine Nebraska

We arrived yesterday. 91 miles from Gordon Nebraska. Today was a rest day. There is a rail trail here called the Cowboy Trail we will be riding on it tomorrow hopefully as far as Bassett about 60 + miles away. It is very hot here, just over 100 degrees!