tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62242052914762525632024-03-19T22:41:21.590-05:00An Oldie's Bicycling BlogA report of the ramblings of an old man and his bicycle. Up and over mountain roads,on organized rides, and along bike paths. Wherever the bike takes me and my camera.
You've never Really seen a place until you've seen it from the seat of a bicycle!RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-18191974034988251902018-10-14T16:29:00.000-05:002019-12-31T10:41:52.138-06:00Raleigh Tamland 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">September 14, 2018:</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Raleigh Tamland 2:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because I was having so many shifting problems with my Fuji Jari gravel bike, and because I never fully trusted the handling after my crash last Fall, and because I had wanted the Tamland prior to buying the Fuji ……. and because I just wanted it ….. I purchased a new Raleigh Tamland 2 Gravel bike from Spokelahoma bike shop here in Shawnee. Here are a few observations after putting on 1,000 miles. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Tamland comes in two versions, Tamland 1 … a Sram Apex version, also a single chainring crank, just slightly cheaper. Raleigh used to put a Chromoly fork on that one, but now both versions sport strong looking carbon forks. The Tamland 1 has a carbon/aluminum version, where the Tamland 2 has a full carbon fork. The Tamland 2 in a size 58 weighed 24 pounds 2 oz. without pedals or add-on's. Mine, by the time I am ready to use them always gain weight …. I'm sure they take after the owner. I removed a few superfluous grams by removing the ridiculous warning stickers all over the bike. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU397DXk-qEi65WAg9TK1mDT0EC7mDMXHZ00yvzlGQbsem4fi3wvjv_B4vARA-T0xZcTfSNwbBXfFcczdF8JuAyM_0GuLMFwB59z1zpXyFo_agPKTa4VTJZye5nckNoNL2cQl3vo8SQiMB/s1600/DSC00997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU397DXk-qEi65WAg9TK1mDT0EC7mDMXHZ00yvzlGQbsem4fi3wvjv_B4vARA-T0xZcTfSNwbBXfFcczdF8JuAyM_0GuLMFwB59z1zpXyFo_agPKTa4VTJZye5nckNoNL2cQl3vo8SQiMB/s640/DSC00997.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Reynolds 631 steel tubing …. I've always felt it competes favorably with Tange and Columbus both in weight and ride quality, as well as strength. The oldest bicycle tubing manufacturer starting producing butted tubing back in the late 1800's. This is my third Raleigh, but the first one not made entirely in Nottingham, England. Raleigh is now owned by Accell, a Dutch corporation, and the frames are now made in Taiwan. The frame is entirely TIG welded, and the welds are very pretty and uniform. We shall see, although I've known some of these bikes with many thousands of gravel miles on them with no problems. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw40k3nWHCYtzrzcWRBaO5AZXH1T7p1A6p8tOjyY2H9yf2F3Lwdg2YZBdBwRhN16LRDAuDYHyoMmbbdaChN4QSztNEDHyv5dSMHKB_jmvDcjjV4Q3sPJ9E3sXCg-TUBL8FnhhbdIOZfYGJ/s1600/DSC00999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw40k3nWHCYtzrzcWRBaO5AZXH1T7p1A6p8tOjyY2H9yf2F3Lwdg2YZBdBwRhN16LRDAuDYHyoMmbbdaChN4QSztNEDHyv5dSMHKB_jmvDcjjV4Q3sPJ9E3sXCg-TUBL8FnhhbdIOZfYGJ/s640/DSC00999.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sram Rival crank and derailleurs and Sram Force shifter round out the controls, the wheelset is American Classic, 24mm inside width tubeless ready rims. . Three water bottle mounts. The brake cable is mounted inside the frame with a brazed in tube. The Crank is a 42 tooth Rival. This is my first steel bike since I was a kid, and my first single ring crank since I got my first geared bike. More on performance later. The Sram drivetrain has proven to be reliable and trouble free after 1,000 miles. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgF8YQKOqXmu4_AY3OqknKls9Km3YJAUW6pHdM9p3oFPW8MagvruY3-GZClr6pbXnosxhOmTYdisnhubZyR-toA2x-RLV6zqVKp0mP8PaBZCEdKScqdRZIMMso-b6brYyZy0_DI7nmbzTW/s1600/DSC00996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgF8YQKOqXmu4_AY3OqknKls9Km3YJAUW6pHdM9p3oFPW8MagvruY3-GZClr6pbXnosxhOmTYdisnhubZyR-toA2x-RLV6zqVKp0mP8PaBZCEdKScqdRZIMMso-b6brYyZy0_DI7nmbzTW/s640/DSC00996.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The rear derailleur (the only one) is also a Sram Rival unit, the cassette is an 11 speed Sram 1160 with an 11/42 spread. The brakes are TRP Spyre, an excellent mechanical brake, and in my opinion, one of the very best mechanical disc brakes on the market today. Yes, they work that good. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovoPK7F5JWMWIdZkFprdrKPetllleXZ0F8ryhQce2itr7LKh9AKWa3kr322OBlibt8cgAznVyDInx2WXsXzEHxjqGGxGsBqqzjWM4z-A0eIKkEix6MzLKCH0MT9ztU2YRsFLRBCfRXZXG/s1600/DSC00995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovoPK7F5JWMWIdZkFprdrKPetllleXZ0F8ryhQce2itr7LKh9AKWa3kr322OBlibt8cgAznVyDInx2WXsXzEHxjqGGxGsBqqzjWM4z-A0eIKkEix6MzLKCH0MT9ztU2YRsFLRBCfRXZXG/s640/DSC00995.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have done several local gravel rides building up to a repeat of the 50 miler that broke my leg last year, and had not one single problem with the bike. Before I picked the bike up from the dealer, I had him set the 700/40mm Clement MSO tires up tubeless. Again, another first for me. Whether it was the steel frame, geometry, carbon fork, tubeless tires, or a combination of all, the bike turned out to be the best handling bike I have ever ridden on gravel. Rock solid and tracks like it was on rails in almost all conditions. The first ride, I had to stop twice and check to see if I had air in the tires, the bike rode uncannily smooth over everything except deep washboard. Nothing …. rides good over deep washboard. Did I mention, the bike rode very well ….. yes indeedy …. I might mention here, after experimenting with tire pressures, I have settled on 28 in the rear, and 26 in the front. Between the good ride, and the rock solid handling, I knew I had a winner here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The bike came with black Raleigh branded saddle … it was okay, but I am old school. My previous two Raleigh's both came with Brooks saddles, and so will this one. With the sky blue, I chose the Honey color B-17 Imperial, another first for me. Not the B-17, but the Imperial with the cutout. They say they break in quicker. This one seemed to, as I had little discomfort right from the start, and after 150 miles, it was as comfortable as my old B-17 Standard. The natural Cinelli cork tape went with it. For gravel anymore, I feel flat pedals are the way to go, and so I put on Raceface Chester's. The pins hold tenaciously and allow you to pedal as efficiently as clip in's. They seem to be light and tough. These yellow ones, I had bought for another bike, and this bike will have the same pedal only in orange to match the stripes on the fork and seat stays. I've had these pedals on since the first ride and after 1,000 miles, I won't be changing them to clipless. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the pictures from the Tallgrass Tour. The bike did marvelously for the entire fifty miles. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictJcAikmKbVB58QQn-XjYmfau5_CqAEpQVROEIjU5_D4bYnnyaAI_u3KpDECTRbrC8EMSoCtrn1xJdZvuT4pMwj0GXSf3IKej9l7JPn_PWLX_tNULmbKRvwCZ5UY4IbeGW5lWvmheGnxN/s1600/DSC01255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1600" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictJcAikmKbVB58QQn-XjYmfau5_CqAEpQVROEIjU5_D4bYnnyaAI_u3KpDECTRbrC8EMSoCtrn1xJdZvuT4pMwj0GXSf3IKej9l7JPn_PWLX_tNULmbKRvwCZ5UY4IbeGW5lWvmheGnxN/s640/DSC01255.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A photo from downtown Shawnee. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In conclusion, this bike has proven to be everything I expected of it, and way more. The stock gearing has proven itself to be very adequate, and in fact, I really prefer it on a bike used mostly for gravel. It tops out 4mph less than my carbon road bike, and I've not yet run out of climbing gears on any hill around here. I think Raleigh made some excellent choices with this bike, and they have all come together to end up being an excellent bike for gravel, as well as everyday riding. I expect this will be a high mileage bike like my Cannondale Super Six. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I feel an add here in regards the pedals is necessary. Shortly after I wrote this blog post, I noticed play in the bearings on the right side pedal. I was a bit disappointed in Race Face, but in all honesty, they are designed for off road single track where riders don't usually put on the kind of miles I do. The Chesters are bushings instead of roller bearings. I replaced them with Shimano XT Deore 8040 flat pedals that use the same bearing and spindle setup as do all of their mountain bike pedals. Very long wearing and easily serviced. So far, they have proven to be the way to go. </span></div>
RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-65104348076487953862018-10-05T18:46:00.000-05:002018-10-05T19:09:11.711-05:00Tallgrass Tour <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">10/5/2018</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tallgrass Tour </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ponca City, Oklahoma</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It has been way too long since I've posted on here but because of the circumstances of the last year, I thought that this is definitely one that needs to be posted. First of all, this wasn't my first effort on this ride, I rode 31 miles of it last year, fell and broke my femur in two places, it was a bad angle of a break and a displaced break which meant that healing was going to be a lengthy process. Also, with the required surgery, it meant I was now going to be sporting a very exotic frame …. titanium and stainless steel …. WooHoo … This is the X-ray of all the hardware. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So …. with that information to start, I was determined that I <i>was </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Starting out in the morning, I had with me the two ladies who stayed with me last year while I laid there on the road until the ambulance arrived, Sue and Tabitha, and my usual Saturday riding companion Lynn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Left to right: Lynn, Tabitha, George (Tabitha's Husband), and Sue. As good a group as one could have! George went his own route which left the four of us to soldier on. I have ridden many rides and many miles with all these ladies, and I was indeed so happy to have them along with me. Don't think there weren't trepidations and some worry going through my mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The route took us past the Marland Children's Home, who was the beneficiary of the proceeds from this ride. Way over to the left, you can just see some of the kids out with their thank you signs and hollering out thank you's as we rode past. Made my heart feel pretty big right then! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bpqX_GxqRLLArt6tG1j6gYGPQd92T5P8DioQTLrwRcYZ6l47Pn6xmzz71ilVLHlGloHUq-VMLIwHO_lITUxHFEMhkeEIDEWJSAE2MczSH0IQM-njLeByrr02f7_FMualg0ZiCznB-68Y/s1600/DSC01232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bpqX_GxqRLLArt6tG1j6gYGPQd92T5P8DioQTLrwRcYZ6l47Pn6xmzz71ilVLHlGloHUq-VMLIwHO_lITUxHFEMhkeEIDEWJSAE2MczSH0IQM-njLeByrr02f7_FMualg0ZiCznB-68Y/s640/DSC01232.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They had several sections of newly laid gravel, which was nice, but loose and in some places rather squirrelly. There were also some longish sections of soft loose sand to also make things a bit more interesting. The new Raleigh Tamland 2 handled it all without complaint, however. After I found how loose this particular section was, however, I decided there would be no more shoot on the go pictures unless the roads were predicable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">First rest stop, and we found a convenient person to take a group picture of the four of us! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A much better section of gravel </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Passing by a very old farmstead over on the right side. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The course was well marked. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The countryside was so very pretty! Open, so you could see for a hundred miles. Much different than the forested part of Oklahoma where I live. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sue and Tabitha coming down a hill with one of the ever present SAG drivers following. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we arrived at Newkirk, Oklahoma, the rest stop was at the fire station. Everybody was out cheering me on as I pulled into the parking area. The ambulance crew was there (in the picture above) that picked me up off the road last year and transported me to Ponca City Hospital …. so nice to renew acquaintances. They all said they were glad to see me upright and walking and riding! It was like old home week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We decided the fire apparatus was a good excuse for another group picture. The firemen there were glad to oblige. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Downtown Newkirk …. I loved all the old limestone buildings on Main street. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Leaving Newkirk, I spotted this old pickup and thought it would make a nice photo … we all went over and spent some time there. Colorful and Fall like, it was a perfect place for another group photo less the photographer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone and their bikes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The pickup and pumpkins were part of a display from a local farmer's market. I loved the old building. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Honor system! The lady that runs the place isn't always there, so take what you need and pay me when you see me next. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lynn, riding past a field of soybeans. We had removed our jackets long before this, so glad for roomy pockets in the back of our jerseys where things won't work their way out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A field of tailfins! All 1957 Chevys </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The lakeshore road was a pretty and winding little gravel lane. We all loved it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lynn waiting on me to take a picture of a windmill, (I was sure by now I was trying her patience). The other two are disappearing in the distance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ponca Lake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And …… TaDa ….. the finish!!! 51 miles of gravel tour finished! Both legs still functioning. Lynn and I crossed the finish line together with a high five! So glad I faced down my demon and went back up to finish this ride. I felt so much better and relieved of the weight that was hanging on me before. The leg did well, we all finished together and we all enjoyed each other's company for the entire ride. Sorry, no pictures of the food …. I was busy eating it! Bar-b-que brisket, ribs, and sausage, potato salad and beans. All I could eat! Delicious! We all made plans to come back next year. Wonderful ride, kick-ass support, and great food along with the friendliest people ever made this a memorable ride. I don't think I would have done this ride again if not for the fact that the three ladies with me had all signed up and were going. SO glad I did! We came, we saw, we rode, we conquered!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-89391405393675953282018-01-15T16:38:00.000-06:002018-10-05T19:10:01.027-05:00Do Wacka Do <div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">January 15, 2018;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do-Wacka Do: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This sounds like a rather unlikely name for a bike ride, I know. But bear with me, and it will become apparent why it was named this odd name. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">First, let me apologize for the long time between postings. I have not abandoned my bicycling, but rather had a severe case of "writers block" ..... at least for a little while. I decided it was about time to bring it back. The riding has been on hold for a bit as I'm recovering from a broken femur that happened as a result of a crash on another ride. I will catch you readers up with that on another post. But first ..... let me take you out to the wilds of "The Breaks" south of Erick, Oklahoma. Erick, the second town after leaving the Texas Panhandle coming into Oklahoma on I-40 was the home of Roger Miller, a recording artist of the 60's, as well as his brother-in-law Sheb Wooley, (Purple People Eater). One of Roger's songs was "Do-Wacka-Do" ..... like most of his songs, a silly little ditty that told a tale. His biggest hit was "King of the Road". During the 60's, I always enjoyed his songs. So, when I found they were holding a bike ride named after one of Roger's songs ..... Yep ..... I had to go. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ride started at first light, barely. I had decided to go for the Metric Century distance, which proved to be almost more than I wanted. I was really glad I did not cave in though, and went the entire distance. There were other options for shorter miles, and these were also much easier to navigate. They saved the hardest miles for the last ten on this ride, and by the time I was done ...... I was DONE! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I stated, the ride started at the crack of dawn .... I couldn't even get a decent photo because it just wasn't light enough. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sue and Tabitha, a couple of riders I knew from other rides. They rode with me for a while, but we later became separated. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The roads were as primitive as the entire area. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here you can get an idea of the lay of the land. We went downhill a long ways to the valley floor below. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whatever goes down, however, has to eventually come back up. This is the nature of "The Breaks". A very rugged landscape, ever changing, and very sparsely populated. I believe in the entire 62 miles, we saw one motor vehicle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The reward for the climbing was the view.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">An abandoned schoolhouse ....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had one other companion who accompanied me on the entire 62 mile ride. It was so nice to have someone along. At this time, I had no idea of the rugged terrain that awaited me the last ten miles. I would have been very apprehensive to go that last ten miles alone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were a few old homesteads scattered throughout this route. Not very many, and most all were abandoned. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Prickly Pear cactus ..... common in the west. Not so common out where I live. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were several water fords throughout the ride. As the temperature heated up, the speeds through these fords got faster, throwing up some of the cooling water over us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the homesteads that was not abandoned. This private road was one of the best maintained on the route. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Typical red sandstone formations on the southern portion of the ride. Western Oklahoma is noted for it's red soil. Here in the western part of the state, it is mostly sand. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fish Creek in the background. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">An Oasis in the desert!! This was so inviting, I had to take off my shoes and sit on the edge of the tank and soak my legs and feet. It felt SO good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The water coming out was not a huge flow, but clean, clear, and good to fill up an almost empty water bottle. The water skaters didn't seem to mind my washing my legs and feet, or snitching a little water. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From here on the road (if you can call it that) changed dramatically! Very rough, primitive tracks with some impossible grades. I wouldn't have missed this for the world!! It was SO beautiful, and a part of the country few will ever see. At this point, I was already getting tired, but the constantly changing scenery urged me onward. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was in here that we scared up a small herd of cattle that may not have ever seen humans before. They looked at us with wild eyes, and took off running, leaping fences and cattle guards like they weren't there. In three minutes, there were no cattle in sight. We saw some deer, and a few pronghorns on this portion of the ride. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Matt, starting down into a rugged area. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After several miles, the long downhill ended in another water ford, this one with a loose bottom with large rocks. Discretion had us walking our bikes through. There were no vehicles back here that we saw, help would be a long time coming. Also, no cell service. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the long downhill, we had to climb back up an equal amount to get back to where we started. Almost done here, just about 4 more miles to go. Steep, hard miles. I walked places of this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally reaching the end of the ride. I was tired, but they had good food waiting, great barbecue and liquid refreshment. It was good! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After leaving the ride, and traveling through "downtown" Erick, I couldn't resist a few pictures of the town. This old building had character! Open for business, it was a souvenir shop, and they also served sandwiches. Just fun to poke around. The owner was as much of a "character" as the building! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Main street, downtown Erick, Oklahoma at 2 pm on a Saturday afternoon. As you can see, the town was packed with Saturday shoppers. How many places could a photographer stand smack in the middle of the main drag for a picture without having a single car come by? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Roger Miller Museum</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ride Tee. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are looking for something different than the average run of the mill bike ride, and are able to handle the primitive conditions of this ride, do NOT let this one go by! Without a doubt, one of my very favorite bike rides of all times. </span><br />
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<br />RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-51257885211632015082017-04-24T04:23:00.001-05:002017-04-24T17:27:53.045-05:00Black Kettle Gravel Ride<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">April 22, 2017:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cheyenne, Oklahoma:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is really no better way to celebrate Earth Day than to commune with Mother Nature, rollicking through the wilderness of the most unseen parts of her Earth, and to do it on a self propelled mission, without disturbing a fern on her skin. A non polluting vehicle to carry us delicately and gently over the hills and valleys and into the most private areas seen by few just adds to the experience. A back country route traveled by bicycle over routes that included much privately owned land, land seen by only a few, is an experience granted to only a few. Think of it as an erotic experience with Mother Earth! Mother Nature got in a bit of the experience as well, treating us to high winds as well as the visceral experience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It certainly didn't start out as a "Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight" thing ..... cold ..... cold wind from the north, with temperatures in the mid 40's and winds approaching 20mph (they would get higher) even early in the morning, brought the wind chill into the low 30's. A chilly start to our day brought out the winter riding togs for many of us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This ride was held in the small community of Cheyenne, Oklahoma, in the wilderness of the western part of the State. Home to the Washita Battlefield National Monument as well as the Black Kettle National Grasslands, a large expanse of land through which our ride traversed and where the name of our ride originated. Our ride also coordinated with Cheyenne's Old Settlers Reunion, which is held every five years. On hand for the festivities was the 7th Cavalry, Troup J from Ft Sill, Oklahoma, who came with their complete encampment. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 7th made sure our ride got off with a bang ...... literally ..... a very LOUD bang as they fired off their artillery with much noise and smoke .... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And off we went ...... directly down the middle of Main Street, Cheyenne with a police escort! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were a total of 42 riders at this event ..... a good turnout for a gravel ride the day after a heavy rain, and with high winds predicted. This was a first time for this ride, and I'm sure if he has another, the turnout will be much larger. Several distance choices, a 100 mile, 50, 25, with a 37 mile paved option certainly made it a ride for everyone. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Starting out with wide open expanses of territory, looking much like it did in the days before settlement. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I made sure that Shadow Rider was along for the ride. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had thought that there was only one other rider behind me, and that he was well behind, so when I stopped to snap this picture, I didn't bother looking back ..... caught this young lady by surprise. She did manage to avoid me without incident, however, and we later became friends. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In fact here is Sue, admiring the wind farms that were all over this region. This is notably a major oil producing region, but now is also producing power with the abundant wind in the region. Some say non polluting, and I guess that is so, if you don't count visual pollution, and the impact on wildlife .. (notably birds). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Water, Grass, and Wind ..... Oklahoma's version of Earth Wind and Fire. It was in this area that I had noticed a howling sound and after a bit realized it wasn't coming from the turbines, but rather from the wind itself, joining us this Earth Day, and serenading us along our journey. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Part of our local Shawnee Peddler's Club. There were a total of around ten of us from Shawnee there at this ride, almost 25% of the total riders. A good turnout from our little riding club. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful roads and stunning vistas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The hills and scenery (I like to stop and enjoy the scenery and take pictures) eventually took a toll on our group, and the faster ones went on ahead. Our group eventually became four, and we were all compatible in riding style and speed. No one in a hurry, just enjoy the beautiful scenery and time spent together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Big Sky and Endless Earth come together dramatically in this photo. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our first rest stop at mile 26 provided a pleasant respite from the wind and a chance to get off the bike for a bit and use their facilities. Water and cookies available too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The road into Skipout Lake was a short, but enjoyable diversion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We finally found some of the red dirt roads that abound in this area. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also found a 1947 John Deere model "D". This photo op brought out the two four legged protectors of the farmstead, but they turned out to be more curious instead of protecting. With much tail wagging, they allowed me to take my photos and then leave unmolested .... I think they were sorry to see me go. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was starting here that we got our first taste of private ranch land and what a wonderful experience awaited us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is this sort of thing that bicycles were made for! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Exploring new territory, and doing so under our own power .... an unforgettable experience!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A small spring fed stream.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I never tired of the diversity of scenery</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The views were endless</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">An over-the-shoulder shot of our group including our ever present SAG vehicle following behind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The hills seemed never ending as well. This ride had right at 3,000 feet of climbing, (a friend's GPS noted 3,046) most of it into a 25-30 mph wind. This was much steeper than the photo shows it, it was a brute of a lowest gear climb up out of the valley you see below. These are just ranch roads, so gradient control is non existent. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeroDP2eGbBIur5NYTds9eh11DYwBbhIsqsd_T_llJfgyXW9Vc7Y6dc5MIusXg4Zy8LXjFzV_Ct9OK1lDwSdthmhQKQ3OqsC3EdcEIS5zcjHXTR81u_RUO6c7JnV0G5ohzJHa-6OtI8pG/s1600/P1060841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeroDP2eGbBIur5NYTds9eh11DYwBbhIsqsd_T_llJfgyXW9Vc7Y6dc5MIusXg4Zy8LXjFzV_Ct9OK1lDwSdthmhQKQ3OqsC3EdcEIS5zcjHXTR81u_RUO6c7JnV0G5ohzJHa-6OtI8pG/s640/P1060841.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Toward the end of the private area we were reminded that this is primarily an oil producing area and the large truck traffic had really torn up this section of road going in and out of a well site.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Old homesteads like this remind one that the area once had a few more people than today. Most of these old home sites were abandoned during the dust bowl and eventually taken over by larger and larger ranches. I enjoy seeing the historical references and they add a lot to my enjoyment of a ride like this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I thought we were so slow .... turns out, it was only Wayne and myself that were slow. The two ladies in the group took second and third finisher's awards for the women's 50 mile distance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A nice tee went with the ride. One could not have asked for a more beautiful and unusual bike ride if you had designed it yourself. We were so fortunate to have a local rider who organized this ride and was able to obtain permission to use all the private roads and traverse through all the private property that we did. Properties seen only by a very few lucky people, and today was our day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who was that old man anyhow? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He didn't leave any silver bullet ... but I think it was "Rich" himself!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I told one of the riders, reflecting on the difference between a road ride, and a gravel ride. When you finish a long road ride .... you think .. "well, that was nice, I finished". When you finish a long gravel ride, it's "WOW ... I'm AWESOME" ... Tired I was for sure after this ride, but feeling very fulfilled. Just a note of interest here about technology .... one friend's GPS unit said 48 miles and 2826 feet of climbing .... another friend's GPS unit had 3,046 feet of climbing and 50.4 miles .... I just had a mechanical speedometer, so I couldn't measure the feet of climbing, but my distance was 51.3 miles ...... three different units of measurement, two touted as the most accurate ever, and all three with different readouts .... so which is accurate? </span><br />
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<br />RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-69325710515382959842017-03-16T14:57:00.000-05:002017-03-16T14:57:01.652-05:00'Nother New Bike<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">March 16, 2017</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">N= +1</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The above is a formula for the possession of bikes "N" being the number you already own .... plus one more .... and it seems to work that way. Although in this case, one will also be sold, so the number will stay the same. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I bought my Cannondale Quick CX4 3 1/2 years ago, gravel racing was still in it's infancy, with no clear trend apparent. Most were opting for cyclocross bikes because they looked like they would work the best. The trend has since moved away from cross bikes to a more gravel specific bike, with different geometry and gearing. I always rode gravel on a mountain bike in the past, and felt that a bike that leaned more toward that spectrum would suit me better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> As with any time that something is a hot commodity, the price escalates rapidly, and so it seemed with 'cross bikes .... quickly pricing themselves out of my budget. I didn't want to have to mortgage the house to try something new. And, for 3 1/2 years, the Quick served admirably, not only as a gravel bike (admittedly slow, but steady) but also as my daily rider. The result was, after 3 1/2 years this bike accumulated many miles, a lot of them in dusty, gritty conditions, and was getting due for a drive train overhaul. After riding several cross bikes a couple of things became apparent.....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> 'A": I didn't want cross geometry, but ...... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> 'B': the drop bars, with the right frame geometry were very stable. First, I thought, well, as long as I'm going to rebuild the drive train anyway, I'll just go with a road bike setup. After measuring, and finding the top tube on my Quick was set up for flat bars and measured 61 cm, I had a feeling it wasn't going to work. So, one day, I took an older set of drop bars I had, and bolted them in place on the bike just for a trial fit. Just as I suspected ..... I would have to grow a longer torso and much longer arms..... so back to the drawing board. More thinking ...... and finally realizing, that I could just rebuild the bike as is, or if I wanted to change it over to what was rapidly becoming a growing trend in "gravel specific" bikes, I would be better off investing a something new. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Again, after doing a lot of searching, and watching prices on bikes made for this "hot" new part (New? When I was a kid, gravel was all we had to ride on) of cycling escalate before my eyes, I just put it all on the back burner for a while. I used the time, however, to come up with some idea of what I really wanted, and what would do, and what wouldn't. Maybe I'd end up keeping the Quick. After doing some serious thinking, I realized, that I'm not going to engage in 100 to 200, or even longer races on gravel. What I really wanted was an "all-rounder", a bike that would do whatever I asked of it. In real world terms, a bike that is impossible to find in today's specialized bike market. Again, after searching what is available, it almost sent me to the idea of building a bike up from a frameset, or having one custom built, or building one myself from a tube-set. The easiest of those choices is a ready made frameset. So, I searched those ..... and found that I would have to compromise my ideals with them all. So, nixed that idea after a bit. Custom built is beyond my budget, but I have the tools and metal working skills to build one, but in the end, decided that I really wasn't so sure of the frame geometry I needed, and the tube kits had lugs that determined the geometry more or less anyway, and those were mostly road racing geometry.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I also didn't really want to mess with the headaches of bike construction. After much thinking and looking, and comparing geometry, I decided that while the prices on some cross bikes were attractive, Giant's TCX being one, the gearing was all wrong for gravel, and the geometry was just not what I wanted. I finally found most of what I wanted in a "gravel specific" bike. Unfortunately, there aren't too many of these on the market. There are two, however that seem to be the benchmark against which all others are measured: The Salsa Warbird, and the first gravel specific bike, the Raleigh Tamland. Both of those rapidly were pricing themselves out of my budget. So, I sat down and made a list of what I wanted, and what I insisted I had to have, and it looked like this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1: Gravel specific geometry, which includes a more relaxed headtube angle, a bit more relaxed front fork, a longer headtube, a bit shorter top tube, longer chainstays for stability and a longer wheelbase. I wanted to be able to use an extra large frame, so I could drop the seatpost down to shorten my reach, and have a short enough top tube that allowed for a comfortable riding position. The geometry had to produce a stable ride in all conditions. Gravel riding is unlike anything else you have encountered. Conditions can change six times in a mile, and back again just as fast. Smooth hard pack, soft sand, large rock, small rocks on top of hard pack (think ball bearings on a marble floor) deep loose rock, brand new fresh gravel that is soft and deep, and well, you get the idea. Stability is so important, and hard to design into a bike for such changeable conditions. Oh yeah ....and mud .... we don't even want to talk about mud.... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2: Gearing .... Cross bikes are all geared way to high for me with the type of roads we have around here. Gravel roads are not built to "standard" gradient percentages like paved roads, they simply follow the lay of the land. Some have gradient percentages exceeding 20%. Too much for an old man with the high gears of a cross bike. Standard gearing on cross bikes normally are 46/36 cranks, with an 11/28 cassette, and I'm just not crazy about destroying my knees struggling up the many hills we have around here. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, we are busy looking for lower gearing. Again, gravel specific bikes seem to be offering what I'm needing with gearing in the 46/36 and 11/32 range. Maybe close enough. My Quick had a triple crank with 48/38/28 rings, and a cassette of 11/32. I kind of wanted to get away from a triple crank, however. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3: Utility: It has to be a do everything bike. Beside gravel riding, I wanted a bike capable of light weekend touring, it has to fit a rear rack, or bike-packing bags .... although a sturdy rear rack would be better because I already have panniers. I also wanted a bike light enough to take on some of the 50-70 mile tee shirt road rides I like to do, and be able to do the ones that have hills steep enough to really make me work on my carbon road bike. It would also be nice if it would fit fenders. I want an everyday rider. A bike built well enough to stand the rigors of high mileage and every day riding. The riding position has to be comfortable for any distance I decide I want to go. Three water bottle bosses on the frame would be a plus. Comfortable drop bars, wide enough to offer stability in sketchy riding conditions. I wanted to stay with a Shimano groupset, mostly because I am familiar with that brand, and I am used to the way they work. I have come to prefer disc brakes, and specifically I demand mechanical not hydraulic, for simplicity and ease of maintenance. So, the list is growing back toward the impossible again. Still I found that a couple of bikes filled the bill, or at least very close. The Warbird, and the Tamland. Neither of which I could afford, both approaching the $2500 range. The Quick is looking better all the time. Both of these are following a trend of the gravel bikes with utility, relaxed geometry, and metal frames. So, back to looking for something that was very close to the two of those. I finally found one in a corner of the bike market I would have never thought I would be looking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enter Fuji: As you can see, by the time I got around to taking photos, I had already had it out for a trial ride or two.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Specifically, the Fuji Jari, a gravel specific bike introduced amid much fanfare at last years Sea Otter Classic, and a new direction for Fuji. Fuji started out building hand made bikes in the late 1800's, and progressed through hand made racing bikes, TDF team bikes, and high end tourers throughout the 20th century. During the 80's the mountain bike craze caught the Fuji company completely by surprise and the demand for high end road and touring bikes declined to the point where the company closed their doors in 1995. The company was purchased by Advanced Sports International .... a buyer of struggling companies. Unfortunately, they took the name in the completely opposite direction and turned it into a department store bike brand. Not good. ASI finally realized this and has been hard at work restoring the image once again. This bike is a good example of their new image. Frame .... custom butted (a good indication) A6 aluminum. Headtube, long and with internal bearings. Custom shaped tubes for comfort and practicality, even a little pad under the top tube in the event you might want to portage the bike a ways. A full carbon (including the steerer) front fork helps out in the ride comfort. The geometry is just what I would have specified if I had had it custom built, giving me a very comfortable riding position, and a very stable great handling ride. 12mm through axles (all the rage right now, but I really see no actual benefit). And a full 105 group. The 58cm bike weight without pedals or any other accessories, was 21 pounds 14 oz. A bit heavy for a road bike, but these bikes need to be built a bit sturdier, and so a bit heavier. It is in line for weight, with Salsa's Warbird 105 level bike, in the same size, which is built very similar to this one. A weight savings of 3 pounds over my Quick, weighed without anything on it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jari: According to what I've read, it means "Helmeted Warrior" Not sure what that has to do with a bike, but here it is. This bike rides far too well to be called jarring .... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another first for me ..... TRP Spyre brakes. Unknown before now for this rider. As much as I admire the Avid BB7's this brake is much superior. The disc brakes I had on the Quick and the BB7's I have on the Fatbike have one moving pad, and one stationary pad. The moving pad moves against the rotor and deflects the rotor into the other pad. The TRP brakes are like a two piston brake. Both pads move and clamp the rotor between them. A bit tricky to adjust the first time, but when you get them right ..... they are super nice. 160mm rotors front and rear provide more than enough stopping power. In the photo below, you can see the rack mounts are through frame rather than tacked on the outside little nubs that could break off if abused with a bit too much weight. These are strong. Also, below the rack mounts are fender mounts. I hadn't put the lever on the through axle yet, it has a lever like the front does to unscrew it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">105 group, the workhorse of the Shimano road bike line. Been around since the 90's and always a steady performer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another plus .... no shifter cables sticking out of the sides of the shifters to get in the way of bags, or bikepacking rolls. Much cleaner appearance as well. The handlebars are from a wholly owned ASI accessory company called Oval Concepts. An almost copy of Salsa's Cowchipper bars, these also have one other feature I've yet to see on a road bike drop bar ..... a 4* backsweep. If you look closely, you can see it looking along the top of the bar. At first, I thought .....hmmph .... another gimmick, but it does actually lend comfort to riding with the hands on the top of the bar. The top of the bar is also ovalized, which makes it more comfy to rest your hands on top, and come wrapped in super comfy cushy tape. The ends are flared 26 degrees, but the drops are mostly parallel to the ramps on top. It has taken me a bit to get used to the wide drops, but I'm liking it more and more, the more I use them. </span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here you can readily see the flare of the bars. It may look a bit awkward, but actually, for most riding positions, turns out to be very comfy. The wider hand placement on the drops makes a very stable platform to offer a lot of control when conditions become less favorable. The saddle is another Oval Concepts offering which seems to be quite comfy on the backside. My longest ride to date, however, has only been 40 miles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">FC 440 ..... Full Carbon. When ASI purchased a portion of Ridley Bikes, this fork came along with the deal. ASI also owns all of Kestrel bikes, as well as Terry, and a few other bike related companies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">WTB wheelset, 23mm wide mountain bike rims and 14 gauge spokes. The wheels are probably a bit heavy, but I would rather have strength than light weight on a gravel bike. One of the things I had to replace early on with the Quick was the original wheelset, just was not up to the abuse generated by gravel roads. I like the wider rims, 23mm inside width, with the wider tires on these bikes, it makes for the ability to run lower tire pressures without so much worry about pinch flats. The downside is if you wanted to use skinny tires, the rims more or less limit you to 28mm minimum. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A third water bottle boss, outside bearing and inside the frame cable routing all make a nice package. Now for the crank. The crank is an FSA gossamer unit with some unusual gearing. I could have this crank in either a 48/32 (which I chose) or a 46/30 ... (I felt that maybe the 30 would be a bit too low for normal riding. I spend a lot of time on gravel roads on the small ring. If I'm wrong, I can get an entire new crank in the other gearing size for less than the cost of a pair of 105 chainrings. So far, it seems as if the gearing is working out fine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A 105 derailleur and an 11/32 cassette rounds out the drivetrain giving me a high gear of 48/11 and a low gear of 32/32, or 27 gear inches. Low enough to climb most hills I care to try. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lots of tire clearance on both front and rear. The stock tires are Clements in a 700/35 size. The factory claims there is room for 700/45 without fenders, or 700/42's with fenders. My normal tire for gravel and all round use is the 700/40, so it should be fine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Have I found the perfect bike? There is no such animal, but it seems I may have found a bike that seems to check off all my boxes. Time will tell how well it works out. One thing that is apparent is that quality is built in, not just tacked on. Fuji has indeed come a long ways. This was last years bike, and I got a sale price on it which lowered the total by $600, making it a grand less than either the Raleigh or the Salsa. Plus ...... I like the color!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sure you will want to know how this all works out. I was not disappointed. This bike is the best riding bike I have. Not sure why it rides this good, but it just does. The other day..... 22 mph over light washboard and loose rock and it just went ..... straight, true and fast!! The handling is superb. Straight line stability over literally any surface was like it was on rails. Coming down off the hill near my house with a 20mph tailwind gave me a top speed of 43mph when I hit the bottom, and still stable and rock solid. So, I would say the high speed handling is pretty good too. I think if you wanted to go fast down winding switchback mountain roads at high speed, you might find the handling a lot slower than something like my Super Six Carbon bike, but then this Fuji is made for an altogether different purpose. My average speed falls between the Quick and the Super Six, just about halfway, so I'm happy enough there too. Never thought I would own a Fuji, but so far, I'm happy I looked there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-15226543522979767112017-03-11T14:49:00.000-06:002017-03-12T06:54:39.074-05:00The Gravel Slayer<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">October 29, 2016: </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Elk City, Oklahoma:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Better late than never, I guess. Procrastination has overcome me lately. It's not that I haven't been riding, it's just that I haven't been writing. Call it writers block, if you will. So ..... my apologies to Jack Christian and his family, the founder, promoter, and all round do everything people to make this event happen. They deserve better than they got from me. But .... finally ..... here is my effort. This was a wonderful event, the route was just spectacular, challenging, but not impossible, scenic, and most of all, just plain <i>fun! </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The poster that Jack made up for the ride. Each rider received one of these. A nice touch, I thought. Jack is a super photographer, and has an eye for the unusual.<i> </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yours truly at the start.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A gorgeous early morning start to a beautiful ride. Headed north. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Alexander ..... who drove all the way from Phoenix, Arizona to ride this one with me. This was the first time I had met him in person, and his company made the ride truly memorable. Lots of fun! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The roads were beautiful, well maintained, no large loose rock, very little sandy or washboard sections. Super fast going north, with the wind. The wind was an issue on this ride, sustained at 35, gusts to 45 or so. Made going out lots of fun, and quick .... one and one half hours to the turn around point three and a half coming back. Ah well, more time for scenery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is indeed Big Country! So different from my part of Oklahoma where one is always surrounded by trees. Here, you can see forever! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I kidded Jack after the ride that it might have been a little better if he'd turned off all the fans. Truly, the wind was a beast. Wonderful going north ... coming back ..... not so much. Just another added challenge. Slow down, kick back, and enjoy the scenery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I couldn't get enough of the wide open roads, hardly any traffic, and groomed gravel. This was about mile 20, and I think we might have met three vehicles up to this point. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Al was nice enough to take a photo of your author and his illustrious Fat Steed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jack's son and daughter-in-law hosted a very welcome, and well provisioned rest stop at about mile 31. I had a need to relieve ..... so I asked if they had an outhouse ..... the lady just laughed and said ... just go out behind the barn .... the cows won't care .... And ...so I did. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Fatbike proved to be a popular attraction, even Al took a turn or two riding it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The three mile pasture section. I truly wished it could have been much longer. This was my favorite (and I think most of the rider's favorite as well) part of the entire ride.Notice the grass along the road, leaning wayyyy over. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The road got more and more interesting the further we went.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Truly, like old west explorers following along on a wilderness trail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Amelia, one of a small group that we seemed to have formed. It usually works that way on most rides. Eventually, you keep seeing the same riders over and over, and pretty soon, you just become a small group of your own, and new friendships blossom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">An Oasis Of The Plains. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Road? Yes ...yes .... there it is!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Amelia, Kelli, and Stephanie. These gals provided great company, were super fun, and made the ride even more enjoyable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">An old homestead. Maybe from as far back as the Dust Bowl days.... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Old Man Cotton was king here at one time, now, just a field or two left here and there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Tee that went with the ride. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i>This was just a super nice ride, through some country I had never taken the time to appreciate before. I had spent some time out here working, but when one is working, it's difficult to truly appreciate your surroundings. This time, I had the time to be able to travel leisurely through the area .. (I was on a Fatbike .... leisurely is generous) and great friends to enjoy it all with. Just a super nice ride, and I'll be looking forward to riding again next year! Overall, I think the part that impressed me most about this ride, and the part that will live longest in my memory, is that it wasn't just a bike ride. Jack and his family treated us all like one big family reunion. We all felt like we were really just a part of a big family. And <i>that</i>, people, is what makes this sport unique and so captivating. Gravel riders, are just one big family after all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i> </span>RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-66301343495269347342016-07-29T12:17:00.000-05:002016-07-31T10:50:39.021-05:00Back In Time ..... WAY Back !!! <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Date: Pre-History ! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A Fatbike Ride To The Beyond:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It looked as though it would rain today, but the urge to ride was strong, and so, Mr. Fatty and I took to the trails. The sky got very dark, the wind blew ....and then ....CRASH ..... lightning struck close by ... too close for comfort, really, so I decided to take cover wherever I could..... Here ....I'll just hop this fence ..... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think the lightning must have struck closer than I thought .... I didn't feel a thing ... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Once inside the fence, I encountered some tough going ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tall grass like this could hide anything! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The jungle encroaching everywhere</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This almost looks like ....... Yes.... Maybe the Jurassic? I believe it could be ! Can you see the archaic beast peeking around from behind? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sure gonna try to keep hands and feet tucked in safely!! At least I have a vehicle as tough as the surroundings! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">NOT ....even !! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking more and more prehistoric, I think way off in the distance there might be some bovinasaurus ......</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A trail to the beyond .... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was amazed at the prehistoric beasts I encountered ...... first, there were some "Assasaurus" .....grazing in the meadow ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> And then a little further on, I encountered a Velocihopper-bunnisaurus .... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not to mention a terrible Pteribeeus ....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, I was able to find my way back to civilization, and was able to jump onto modern transport back to today's world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately .... it was NOT the Hogwarts express, but it was also not a Delorean either, and so my progress forward in time was slow and gave me time to think about writing a blog detailing my amazing experiences. Yes .... time is so irrelevant!! <i> The Jurassic signs were part of a display on the grounds of a local church, Life-church, however, I thought they would make for a fun blog post! Life is too much fun to take seriously .... </i> </span>RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-11174070508539601742016-06-10T15:27:00.000-05:002016-06-14T08:01:51.446-05:00Elephant Rock, 2016<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday, June 5, 2016;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After one afternoon and one full day of riding for 57 miles worth of high elevation training .... I was feeling pretty good about the elevation difference between Oklahoma and the Front Range of Colorado. And this was true, I really had no ill effects from the elevation difference at all. Felt pretty good, actually. Should have trained much, much harder in big hill country though, as that was what proved to be my nemesis on this ride. I had signed up for the 62 mile (100k) ride, but with the ride from my hotel to the start and back from the end, I ended up with 65.4 miles total. A good distance, one that makes me happy, I can still say ..... "a Century this year .... why yes ..... I did a Century this year" (100 kilometers) .... Grin .... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday dawned early, and I was planning to be gone by the crack of dawn ...... well ..... I was close.... dawn cracked at 5:25, I left the hotel at 5:45 got in line at the start and left right at 6am sharp. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Right out of the gate .... one of the toughest hills on the route, at least it seemed that way before the legs got warm and the lungs got working. If you look just over the top of the red helmet in front of me, you can see the riders going over and through the cut. At this time, I didn't realize, this wasn't the top, it just looked that-a-way. It got a bit steeper and further yet after I made it over that first little hill before finally summiting. There were a number of riders walking the last 1/4 mile or so, but the old guy wasn't one of them. It was a plod, but one stroke after a painful other ..... I finally rolled over the top. I was rewarded by a nice fast smooth downhill, only to start up another climb, fortunately not as tough as the first one. This seemed to set a precedent for the rest of the 62 miles. There were a lot of hills, some up, some down, some fun, some ..... not so much. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Throughout most of the first half or so of the ride, Pikes Peak was the dominant feature, always beckoning ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first rest stop, just off Highway 83, and a little bit of gravel getting to it. It was a welcome rest. The uphill tailwind I was hoping for became an all day headwind. Every time the route would turn, the wind would turn. Starting out from the south, it traversed to the west and then northwest, then finally on the last "easy" part back into Castle Rock, it was straight out of the north right in our faces again. I thought for sure the ride promoters planned it that way so none of us would get overheated on the climbs. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The first rest stop was welcome. They had the rest stops at just the right intervals, not too close, but not so far you were hurting for food or drink before you got there. Most were about 15 to 18 miles apart. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gravel route into the rest stop. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The highway 83 southbound leg was all uphill, gradual, but noticeable. It kept me at 8 to 10 mph most of the way up.... into the wind, of course .... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, we turned west, and into a bit of piney country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Topping out the little hill on Highway 105</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Roller Coaster Road! This was the most fun part of the whole ride! A series of fast downhills with the wind at our backs, (I was so fast, the wind hadn't caught on yet that I had changed direction), followed by big uphill rollers, and another fast downhill, and repeat. ... It was fun!! I could have just gone back and done that part several times. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kept seeing this nice young lady on the road on almost every climb. Finally we just decided to ride together for a while while we chatted, enjoyed her company for a while. She was a great photographer as well, as she got me in this nice touristy pose with Pikes Peak in the background. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Slow .....well yes ...... what else did you expect? Just topping out one of the steeper hills, before another fast descent. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pretty wildflowers coming into Palmer Lake. Up in the hills in the background, just to the south and west of Palmer Lake a bit was where one might find the namesake of our ride.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Elephant Rock .... A natural sandstone arch, just to the west of Palmer Lake. Not visible from the ride, it's off a gravel road, and I believe on private property. I did manage to find a picture on-line, however, just to show you what it looked like. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> More gravel road, this time around 1/4 mile long going into the Palmer Lake rest stop. 1/4 mile in, 1/4 mile out. I didn't think it was bad at all, but a lot of riders parked their wheeled steeds right off the pavement and walked in. I rode ..... it was better gravel than I have around my place. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Palmer Lake rest stop</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Palmer Lake. You can make out just the seat and the stem bag of my bike just inside the fence to the right of the post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Live entertainment at a rest stop .... COOL! These guys were really quite good! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some pretty scenery after leaving Palmer Lake. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After Palmer Lake and the big crowd, I never saw my photographer/riding companion again, but this young lady rides up next to me, and started a conversation, and stayed with me for most of the rest of the ride. This first hill, she out pulled me a bit, but I think she shot herself in the foot, as I out pulled her on all the rest. She waited for me at the top, and we raced down the long downhill. She was fun company. She was also next to me when they took the professional ride photo .... haven't seen it yet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Long downhill from Palmer Lake. Not steep, just a good 38mph or so downhill. Not sure where I got my max speed for the day of 47mph at, but I can guarantee I wasn't looking at the speedometer, only the road ahead at that speed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I felt really wasted at Palmer Lake, legs were sore, I was really tired out, but on the last 15 miles or so, even into the wind, I felt much stronger, and passed a lot of the riders who had previously passed me up. I actually felt better at the end of the ride than I did at the halfway point, and we still had several more uphills after Palmer Lake. I guess I'm like an old plow horse ... smell the barn, and I get really fast! Post ride lunch was spaghetti and meatballs and salad, and <i>ice cold </i>Fat Tire Ale. OOooohh, Heaven!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look at all the bikes! This was only a small portion of the more than 6,000 riders attending. They had a commercial area where they had vendors from everywhere, live music, and fun. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had to admit, before the ride, I was a bit intimidated by the sheer number of riders and the size of the ride. With the staggered starting times and each group starting anywhere within their 2 hour bracket, the number of riders was never an issue. As with most rides like this, I kept seeing the same faces over and over throughout the ride. This was a super, excellently supported ride. Many, many hard working sheriff deputies and highway patrol officers keeping the motorists and the bicyclists all safe and happy. Great rest stops, great sag service, great entertainment, wonderful glass smooth roads, nice cooling breeze in our faces ..... yes ..... it was Great! A fun ride, a challenging ride, and one I would do again someday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ride jersey was from last year ..... one of my two bargain jerseys, the tee was this year's. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Really enjoyed the ride and the fun riding for the entire weekend, and I have some great things and photos to remind me of the awesome times. </span><br />
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RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-59935006440688579692016-06-09T15:24:00.000-05:002016-06-09T16:02:58.848-05:00Denver Area Trails<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">June 5, 2016;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Plum Creek Trail and Cherry Creek trail;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After visiting with grandkids, I was fairly late getting to my hotel at Castle Rock, and tired. Got dinner at a Subway, showered, and went to bed ..... tomorrow will be another day. So it was! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Front Range, Denver and vicinity has a wealth of multi-use pathways and trails, it would take me a week to explore them all, maybe longer. I knew there was a little trail at Castle Rock and wanted to ride that in the morning, then later on to Franktown to explore the Cherry Creek Trail. So, starting off from my hotel, I found an access point just two blocks from the hotel, hidden behind the local veterinary shop. Turning on to the trail, this is what greeted me. Prettier and better maintained than the road. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At every turn, another surprise and pretty view of Plum Creek.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Castle Rock bluff, the namesake of the town. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another shot of my bike complimenting the local scenery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Past the veterinary shop and on up to the north, the trail gets prettier the further north you go. There were also more locals to stop and chat with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were hills on the north end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And tunnels</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">More hills and pine forested trail</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And several Magpies that followed me looking for a handout. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The old tree didn't make it. But did make for a reason to stop and take a picture. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Castle Rock bluff from the north side. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I rode on past my exit point and rode into town to visit a drug store, (sunscreen forgotten) and a bike shop, ( tire boot forgotten) I will probably not need a tire boot unless I didn't have one. Then I found a nice coffee shop with outdoor tables and a bunch of cyclists to chat with, next door was my ace dicovery for the day, a super great sandwich shop and bakery. Rode around a bit more visiting with firemen behind the fire station, several locals who liked my "Hotter'n Hell" jersey, and ended up talking for 20 minutes. Then it was back to the bike path, and back to the hotel where I loaded the bike up and headed for Franktown. The trailhead was a couple of miles north of Franktown, and it was there I accessed the Cherry Creek Trail, and headed north. This is a very nice trail, although much heavier used than Plum Creek, it was nice to ride. More open landscape, and the trees are more deciduous varieties like cottonwoods. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">An open urban trail, always within sight of homes, at times, their backyards mere feet away. I tried to convey a more country look by not taking pictures of peoples backyards, but concentrating on more open spaces. This trail goes on for something like 40 miles one way, which was more than I wanted to do today, so at the 20 mile point, I turned around and headed back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Pretty Cherry Creek also made better by the addition of my bike.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Found two riding companions, each for about 20 minutes of riding, first, a fairly fast gentleman on a racing type bike who came up behind me and started talking ..... my HHH jersey attracting attention again. We rode and chatted until he turned off on the 470 Trail, and I went straight until I got my 20 miles in. I get started on these trails, and I could go on forever. I had a big ride tomorrow, however, and I was starting to have enough riding already. The second rider I got to ride with was this pretty young lass on a mountain bike ..... also pretty darned fast ..... or maybe this old guy was just pretty darned slow. Anyway we rode and chatted back south until the Parker Trailhead where she got off to go to her car. Fun gal! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I got back to Castle Rock, it was time to head on down to the fairgrounds and pick up my packet. So, I unloaded my bike off the car, and rode on down to the fairgrounds and back. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was a long day riding, I swung off into town to Maddie's on 3rd street, and had a very cold very good Weitzenbrau (wheat beer), it went down so fast, it needed to be refilled. Served in the authentic 1/2 liter glass, just like they served it in Germany.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Denver area trail system is really super, the people using it were friendly and pleasant, and I really enjoyed my visit to the trails here. I kind of wished I would have arranged to stay a little longer to check out more. I think it's the best way to get around in a large city like Denver, especially when one is from out of the area. Denver has many miles of trails, and most connect urban areas with the center of the city, giving access to shopping areas as well as food and drink. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Total miles of fooling around riding pre-ride was 57 ..... I hope that will be good enough to get acclimated before the big ride tomorrow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-32526095566955853732016-06-09T05:28:00.000-05:002016-06-09T05:32:36.881-05:00Garden Of The Gods<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">June 3, 2016;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Colorado Springs' Garden Of The Gods;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This really wasn't going to be a separate blog post, but it was a nice little diversion, so I thought it would make a good post all by itself. Garden Of The Gods park is beautiful to visit, and because of that, it is a very popular destination for visitors in the Colorado Springs area. Almost a must-do in fact. I had stopped at Colorado Springs because my grandson and his wife live there, and I had never seen their home yet, but I arrived a bit early, and so, to kill some time, (time dies far too quickly in Gods Country) and to help get used to the elevation there as well as getting my climbing legs on, I drove up to the park with the intention of riding my bike through it. There are two paved loops that offer nice wide bike lanes to one side, but the entire distance for both loops turned out to be only 8 miles from the Visitor's Center and back. It turned out to be such a nice ride, I did it twice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Garden Of The Gods park is situated at the foot of Pike's Peak just to the north and west of Colorado Springs. If you have never been before, it's certainly worth the visit. I spent three days camping here in 1976 during a BMWMOA motorcycle rally. While the park is not large, it does offer some stunning scenery fitting for "A Garden Of Gods ". I parked at the visitors center, and if you look closely at the header photo, you can see the road leading into the park. The header photo was one I took from the second floor of the Visitor's Center. I was a bit worried about traffic going into the park as the road from the Visitors Center into the park itself has no bike lane, but people driving were very aware, and there were many "watch for bicycles" signs along the way. It really wasn't bad at all. It <i>is, </i>however, uphill all the way well past the first main parking area in the park. Here is what the official visitor's guide tells me</span><br />
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Biking in the Garden is a great adventure!</h2>
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Come to the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center before
starting your bicycle tour. All one-way roads in the Park have paved
biked lanes. The Garden Drive/Juniper Way loop is 6 miles with a 15%
grade. We would be happy to point out some additional trails you are
bound to love.<br />
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<img alt="Bicycle Group in Garden of the Gods" src="https://www.gardenofgods.com/images/Things_To_Do/GOG_BikeGroup.jpg" style="float: right;" title="GOG Bike Rider" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The above excerpt was taken from the official guidebook. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I not only did the Juniper Way / Garden Drive loop, but also up to Balancing Rock. Again, it was tough to get any miles, but there were a few hills along the way, half of them were up, the other half were down. I don't think "I" saw any 15% grades, but a couple of the hills were a bit steep, down into the 4 or 5 mph range. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The picture below is Balancing Rock. An obliging tourist snapped my photo for me as I did not take my little tripod with me. I had to get at least one "I was there" picture. Tourist I was, but instead of driving through adding to the air pollution, I took the scenic/green way through using two leg power. One of the nice things about taking a bicycle through the park was that I could stop any time I wanted to take pictures, whereas autos could only stop in authorized parking areas. You do lose the bike lane on the Balancing Rock loop, but traffic was decent to this old man on a bike. On the downhills, I could easily outpace the cars, however, one needs to be careful as they stop much faster than I, on the uphills, there was no problem with this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pike's Peak from the Garden Of The Gods. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The nice wide bike lanes were really nice, smoothly paved and had signs all along telling drivers not to park in bike lanes. Unfortunately, there seem to be many drivers who are unable to read, as I had several drivers pull into the bike lane right in front of me and stop and get out to take pictures. They weren't really parking, just stopping for a minute, right? Ah well, it is one of those things you deal with in a popular tourist area. There was a lot of traffic, and a lot of tourists, and only a few assholes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were times I had to wait 4 or 5 minutes to get a picture without a car, and sometimes one snuck in anyway. Visiting this park on a bicycle means you will have to contend with a lot of vehicle traffic, but in reality, it really did not present a problem at any time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the second time around, it was time to go back to the visitors center, change out of my riding shorts, purchase a nice hat pin, look through the nice museum they have and then head south a ways to enjoy a pleasant visit with grandson and family. The bottom line is this ..... if you find yourself in Colorado Springs with a bicycle ..... Do this!! You will not be disappointed. </span>RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-48026999965058043692016-05-13T18:28:00.000-05:002016-05-13T18:49:02.027-05:00Oklahoma City Riversports Trails<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">May 13, 2016;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For some time now, I have been wanting to write a post about how much the bicycling venue in Oklahoma City has improved. Ten years ago, I would have never believed I'd say this. Tulsa has had a wonderful trail system for many years, but it is now my belief that Oklahoma City has not only caught up, but surpassed Tulsa. I can now ride 50-60 miles, or more if I get creative and stay either on the trails, or on bicycle posted roads. What really sets it apart though, is the myriad of things to see or do within easy bicycle range of the trail. There are always a crew out cleaning up and emptying trash containers somewhere along the trail, it's clean, well maintained, and well patrolled by regular Oklahoma City Police officers. ..... and Geese .... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Oklahoma Riversports complex has within it's venue, World class rowing competition training and racing facilities, a couple of zip lines, a huge water slide, kayaking, bike rentals, and now, a world class white water rapids that is being used to train our U.S. Olympic kayaking team, as well as a little whitewater rafting fun for us mortals. These two are stock photos from Riversports, to give you an idea of what is there ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSPS1ysE4l060kR6q1yXgKJ2fyUYgM_VMZ3cPCz1C_DeHwH4g3jOeJxiRMYHvBl2rkJiGsiKWY1i2zQ6neVA9N0FDirj5xFgJiIp1rVoFFtYepH-WM74IUL530ingvkBVcQ9GncA-GxBE/s1600/OKC+Whitewater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSPS1ysE4l060kR6q1yXgKJ2fyUYgM_VMZ3cPCz1C_DeHwH4g3jOeJxiRMYHvBl2rkJiGsiKWY1i2zQ6neVA9N0FDirj5xFgJiIp1rVoFFtYepH-WM74IUL530ingvkBVcQ9GncA-GxBE/s640/OKC+Whitewater.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just in case you think this looks a little tame ....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On almost any day, you can find individuals and teams out practicing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOmc6BuoPMiFNO10hREphBSrDzidRqBIgGM2c4vVxO7dCpRbF7IubKvAXfgBW1vvGJWAahvuapAy96_dwljA_w5QvNcv9fxI4sqmIqD9vGqYtC4ubgwchyq0wjfkS-kwGDhgmVLiF88CD/s1600/P1050570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOmc6BuoPMiFNO10hREphBSrDzidRqBIgGM2c4vVxO7dCpRbF7IubKvAXfgBW1vvGJWAahvuapAy96_dwljA_w5QvNcv9fxI4sqmIqD9vGqYtC4ubgwchyq0wjfkS-kwGDhgmVLiF88CD/s640/P1050570.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few of the racing shells indoor storage. You don't realize how <i>long </i>these things are until you stand right next to them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All of this fun stuff, including the new Ferris Wheel brought in from the Santa Monica California pier will all cost. The Ferris wheel is still under construction, and should be open by mid-summer. The "real" fun stuff though.... the bicycle path ..... is free. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Wildflowers abound this time of year. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3Mo0YzYbuMJ0XMnDXTP6hyphenhyphenL6QpOF7lRokEbOBPVXU9tQPFwumxHCl9bXRmHE89OQgpRklWBSn34qVnoU12t699U5iJVslxwxdwfxO7Jx-3UQ8Y4l-xr27XwY4KzFTXcJvN3xYEA6WlIX/s1600/P1050687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3Mo0YzYbuMJ0XMnDXTP6hyphenhyphenL6QpOF7lRokEbOBPVXU9tQPFwumxHCl9bXRmHE89OQgpRklWBSn34qVnoU12t699U5iJVslxwxdwfxO7Jx-3UQ8Y4l-xr27XwY4KzFTXcJvN3xYEA6WlIX/s640/P1050687.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the little dams used to control the flow of water and create a wide slow river for many uses. There is a lock for boats over to the right side, out of the picture. One is never far from water and an abundance of parks and lakes along this trail. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the many views of the river from the trail.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yucca in full bloom .... framing my touring bike.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A typical section of trail, neat, clean, and well maintained. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The route around Lake Overholser goes by Route 66 Park, as well as riding on a section of old Route 66. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKrCN6TfxQrvnKD2BA5A1ulbNBRWlakry_AOe4C6TY_lXlTrPNjg0M7Z8-U3zifjem9pPG7aCHN7Burhb8p5zPTCT57c05HamoRgvgtyRbNweYZZq_-_JvAzQNXLn0vd_soKKQh4J8uTr/s1600/P1050702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKrCN6TfxQrvnKD2BA5A1ulbNBRWlakry_AOe4C6TY_lXlTrPNjg0M7Z8-U3zifjem9pPG7aCHN7Burhb8p5zPTCT57c05HamoRgvgtyRbNweYZZq_-_JvAzQNXLn0vd_soKKQh4J8uTr/s640/P1050702.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If one watches, one can always find some cooperative wildlife.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The bike route goes over the Route 66 bridge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A fun day at the Lake Overholser Boathouse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think these must have been a bunch of Girl Scouts on an outing. There was a big group of them kayaking, and zip-lining. This girl was especially vocal coming across on the zipper ... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The trail on the east side of Lake Overholser. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are these little kiosks with table and benches, and some have water spigots by them all along the trail</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lake and wetlands along the trail</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You are never far from downtown Oklahoma City. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucVNFEBWgrlsbEhjhZXj_O6N4thvKQpp4ZEpt_gLxs7EuBJvyTSalNHC9e-TQWS0iYG9Jn5AcpA9N1WLvorijlXTJqGqZ5Nc32kggzzxs1pQZgqLEFZ8pssRhc6KlxbapFsMTaBvQ2UU8/s1600/P1050680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucVNFEBWgrlsbEhjhZXj_O6N4thvKQpp4ZEpt_gLxs7EuBJvyTSalNHC9e-TQWS0iYG9Jn5AcpA9N1WLvorijlXTJqGqZ5Nc32kggzzxs1pQZgqLEFZ8pssRhc6KlxbapFsMTaBvQ2UU8/s640/P1050680.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> There are new found treasures every time I ride this trail. I probably rode past this field of old cars a dozen times before finally noticing them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kjNiN-h6FLRRPARNzPzlJ59jT5wxsTWf7cxF6zjHJ-i7GGgiDfjsyFXKFX58oaK8fxektw17QqIiMChUzBL-Z5xsKCq1b_bt5A36YrLqUj8FAv30bA7Ftu8GvwHy7QmN1E69yntU8w4C/s1600/P1050713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kjNiN-h6FLRRPARNzPzlJ59jT5wxsTWf7cxF6zjHJ-i7GGgiDfjsyFXKFX58oaK8fxektw17QqIiMChUzBL-Z5xsKCq1b_bt5A36YrLqUj8FAv30bA7Ftu8GvwHy7QmN1E69yntU8w4C/s640/P1050713.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> More than one</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYjeT1kLlUkYGU3gZ3beZsUYwqzdLzXNDnpWrfd2WkAFhwG0XZIzMOCYUrhq6wCxpLbEHNhxrTvBo6q0jH-H530eMsYoCUDfHYdbQ1BM78NAXkQguTU38wjqv5CIvbaQWYcBQ9Zh60NSl/s1600/P1050717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYjeT1kLlUkYGU3gZ3beZsUYwqzdLzXNDnpWrfd2WkAFhwG0XZIzMOCYUrhq6wCxpLbEHNhxrTvBo6q0jH-H530eMsYoCUDfHYdbQ1BM78NAXkQguTU38wjqv5CIvbaQWYcBQ9Zh60NSl/s640/P1050717.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Another trail side lake lends a scenic photo of my tourer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHQq1_8hSQHaJ0qoZlgYspRP51YXyw9SlA-c-AshCPzO4fKH5s5nggmmZ_eU0zNug7cdhxwsOgjwi2g13ALoFnfae84AeCsdiy-Ei2o5D1YJPqpBSqkCE724kgvIriljXs2YU8-uyHoNu/s1600/P1050719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHQq1_8hSQHaJ0qoZlgYspRP51YXyw9SlA-c-AshCPzO4fKH5s5nggmmZ_eU0zNug7cdhxwsOgjwi2g13ALoFnfae84AeCsdiy-Ei2o5D1YJPqpBSqkCE724kgvIriljXs2YU8-uyHoNu/s640/P1050719.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The Oklahoma River and one of the many bridges on the trail. They are in the process of building a new dedicated "bicycle only" bridge across the river at Meridian to connect with the trail on the other side. Right now, there is a coned off lane we can use to cross. It will be nice when done, completely separate from car traffic. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4l22HtQOa6Vr9J7N5MrDvIN6f_MxoZICwVmuHlKJRV8jG4cvOwR8Hr6p4BnU7JeH7nJwqZ57PEAtcCv8AEFFbzZ-IgOJYjYhYxpn1_E9TuUxkM1ROx5IUs0Ti0v7EckXC3jShxIB2vjf/s1600/P1050722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4l22HtQOa6Vr9J7N5MrDvIN6f_MxoZICwVmuHlKJRV8jG4cvOwR8Hr6p4BnU7JeH7nJwqZ57PEAtcCv8AEFFbzZ-IgOJYjYhYxpn1_E9TuUxkM1ROx5IUs0Ti0v7EckXC3jShxIB2vjf/s640/P1050722.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> You may get run over by a train</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEnzJ99pB6IMe0rLHJFQid1CE8FzYIfpDidhXEuGCocHNhvWr9bjK80YsxUSDxDbPf1_FShPDyoracNK1v0xkXA_SK7MYTTL3Y3tzeqlPgQ84ds5f0M7USe_0IoJWnopwoQjqHndahCyS/s1600/P1050724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEnzJ99pB6IMe0rLHJFQid1CE8FzYIfpDidhXEuGCocHNhvWr9bjK80YsxUSDxDbPf1_FShPDyoracNK1v0xkXA_SK7MYTTL3Y3tzeqlPgQ84ds5f0M7USe_0IoJWnopwoQjqHndahCyS/s640/P1050724.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Because this was a week day, I took the liberty of riding down the Bricktown Canal path. Normally bicycles are discouraged from this, but during the week, not the weekend, and as long as you use a bit of common sense and a bit of consideration for walkers along the trail ... slow and go and stop when you need to in order to let walkers by ... no one will complain. The Bricktown canal is full of quaint shops, expensive places to eat and drink ... Next to Toby Keith's is an absolutely <i>decadent </i>ice cream shop called "The Creamery" .... it's a must do! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YFbJW3jOFqP6o5mDzzH3Vyey4KB1HZuLyYUANCe0HXTkKC3y0yocTOJXHi1WqaupZyDCaanPzc7BM6QRcnbxSlRRTSFj5WrOBYaBJn_skJl1JNwAlzkwVloqA0tYuuapuHPdQmgicJ3B/s1600/P1050729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YFbJW3jOFqP6o5mDzzH3Vyey4KB1HZuLyYUANCe0HXTkKC3y0yocTOJXHi1WqaupZyDCaanPzc7BM6QRcnbxSlRRTSFj5WrOBYaBJn_skJl1JNwAlzkwVloqA0tYuuapuHPdQmgicJ3B/s640/P1050729.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">But also, there is an abundance of gorgeous scenery along the way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjtH15EqE4tRCy3zl2eef21YRqrDH-J18tBHq7xl8QUS4Z8MvawFfXnfeAYVAawNkUjnB-_FNYmYRlKxTC2VWuNxXLOVyS99jE5SudNJmxYJoAljfQUsU8NLNnvdftrd6Y1kZIC7Nh9fw/s1600/P1050725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjtH15EqE4tRCy3zl2eef21YRqrDH-J18tBHq7xl8QUS4Z8MvawFfXnfeAYVAawNkUjnB-_FNYmYRlKxTC2VWuNxXLOVyS99jE5SudNJmxYJoAljfQUsU8NLNnvdftrd6Y1kZIC7Nh9fw/s640/P1050725.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLunvrABdLT9QFCvwkDhGbLXwD-IFMbduGtvpzEM9yzjWSJR02iA-FmQJXuDARochenVSMiZcLRSveiFF-YdJcu1I8TDevayZs096fgxbmxdhS5jNxuFdeGQgf6HBQNl_8FYr63spdbb7K/s1600/P1050726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLunvrABdLT9QFCvwkDhGbLXwD-IFMbduGtvpzEM9yzjWSJR02iA-FmQJXuDARochenVSMiZcLRSveiFF-YdJcu1I8TDevayZs096fgxbmxdhS5jNxuFdeGQgf6HBQNl_8FYr63spdbb7K/s640/P1050726.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> While I was there, I took the time to stop and admire the scenery as well as eat a cheap lunch (no Toby Keith's for me) at Sonic's Corporate headquarters, they have a restaurant as well, right on the canal with outside tables, and the day was perfect for it. Sonic drive in's originated in Oklahoma, in fact, in my town, Shawnee. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The scenery just overwhelms. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> If I wanted, I could have continued a little further to a quirky little sandwich shop that has a huge selection of sodas, and decent sandwich's made to order. You can take your bikes right inside with you.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTdev9jp-YUdhsjhwO3AFlCbJ-p0j4PY3hZgR_WE6dr2VaxS3DkwGGBIaY3Q6cGCMhyphenhyphenRhFxRg1sGw4Mu_r5aJg-VrKVm9TvugHwEQouyULqUlrDU-0xZIKxtoeXtzP-2t2J1xnXg7XYp3/s1600/P1050603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTdev9jp-YUdhsjhwO3AFlCbJ-p0j4PY3hZgR_WE6dr2VaxS3DkwGGBIaY3Q6cGCMhyphenhyphenRhFxRg1sGw4Mu_r5aJg-VrKVm9TvugHwEQouyULqUlrDU-0xZIKxtoeXtzP-2t2J1xnXg7XYp3/s640/P1050603.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> All of this in the shadow of the huge downtown buildings surprises me every time I go here. There is just so much to see and do here, I have only scratched the surface, and it's only 40 miles from my house. I find myself heading that way more and more. As I said before, Tulsa also has a very nice trail system, but it's over 100 miles away, and it becomes an all day outing. This is quick and easy and such a nice riding opportunity, and so close, that I can go in the morning and come back in the early afternoon. </span><br />
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<br />RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-89026639173113637052016-04-25T10:08:00.000-05:002016-04-26T07:05:51.830-05:00Lehigh Portland Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lehigh Portland Trail April 23, 2016:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look up Lehigh Portland Trail, and this is what you will find:</span><br />
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<div class="stretch_full container_wrap alternate_color light_bg_color title_container">
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<a href="http://thriveallencounty.org/lehigh-portland-trails/" itemprop="headline" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Lehigh Portland Trails">Lehigh Portland Trails</a></h1>
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<span class="trail-before"><span class="breadcrumb-title">You are here:</span></span> <a class="trail-begin" href="http://thriveallencounty.org/" rel="home" title="Thrive Allen County">Home</a> <span class="sep">/</span> <span class="trail-end">Lehigh Portland Trails</span></div>
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<header class="entry-content-header"></header><img alt="Lehigh Portland Trails" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1169" src="http://thriveallencounty.org/media/LehighPortlandTrails-300x300.jpg" height="300" width="300" />The
Lehigh Portland Trails are being built on the site of a former cement
plant and quarry, along the banks of Elm Creek in Iola, Kansas. The
trails will feature both rail-trail-style gravel-surfaced trails and
natural-surface trails for mountain biking, trail running, and nature
hikes.<br />
The Lehigh Portland Trails are being built by volunteers with <a href="http://thriveallencounty.org/">Thrive Allen County</a>, via a June 2014 <a href="http://thriveallencounty.org/news/grant-to-fund-lehigh-portland-rail-trail-development/">Healthy Living grant</a> from the <a href="http://kansashealth.org/" target="_blank">Kansas Health Foundation</a>, on land owned by <a href="http://www.iolaindustries.com/" target="_blank">Iola Industries, Inc.</a> through an easement granted to the<a href="http://www.sunflowertrails.org/" target="_blank">Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy, Inc.</a> The
trail’s name pays homage to Allen County’s industrial past and
specifically to the Lehigh Portland Cement Company, which purchased the
Iola Portland Cement Company in 1917 and operated a major plant in Iola
until 1970.<br />
This new trail system will include walking and biking trails similar to the <a href="http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Prairie-Spirit-Trail" target="_blank">Prairie Spirit Trail</a> and the <a href="http://thriveallencounty.org/southwind-rail-trail/">Southwind Rail Trail</a>,
but will also include mountain bike trails and related amenities that
are rare in this part of Kansas. The new trail system will be free and
open to the general public year round.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before I go any further, a very special thanks to Dave and his crew, and the City of Iola, for giving me this very special opportunity.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Notice the "are being built" and "when finished" parts. I had heard about this trail, and wanted to see if I could find a connector, so I cut short my ride north to Garnett and decided instead to head south through Iola and continue on south on the Southwind Rail Trail, hopefully to find some kind of connector link. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Ask around
to local residents and they will all tell you the same thing. "Well
.....somebody may be planning something like that someday ..... but it's
just not possible yet" ....... Oh ye of little faith .....My Fatbike
makes <i>anything </i>possible. Read and see for yourself. I did, just receive notification from Lehigh Portland Trails, that their Opening Day will be June 25th, 2016. Here's your chance to get in and do this while it's still new. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Going south out of Iola, I soon came to the Elm Creek bridge. This is a very unusual bridge in it's construction using giant links. I detailed The bridge with photos in an earlier blog on this trail. The Southwind Rail Trail continues down to the town of Humboldt, Ks. but this wasn't my objective for the day. The bridge in the background is the highway, and the quaint little waterfall under it. From the look of the waterfall, I think it must have at one time been a "ford" for the roadway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This is the old rail bridge over Elm Creek that you ride over on the Southwind Trail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I went on over the bridge, and kept on going south for a mile and a half or so looking for a connecting trail, but finding none. Right past the bridge (I took the picture looking the other way) was a pickup, and down along the banks of the river, I saw people working with chainsaws, but thought nothing of it when I went by. Coming back, one of those workers was up at the pickup, so I stopped to talk. We introduced ourselves, and I asked him if he knew anything about this "Lehigh Portland Trail" ..... and he replied .... "Yeah .... we're down there building it" ... We talked more about the trail, then the talk turned to bikes .... he owned a Surly ECR, and was an enthusiastic rider. I asked him when that trail would be finished, and he replied probably in a few months. I was really enthusiastic then, and told him I guess that would be a good excuse for me to come back up. He asked where I was from .... "Oklahoma", I said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now I know y'all know that I hate bragging on my Fatbike .... wait ....... no ...... actually I LOVE bragging on my Fatbike .... so here's a little more. Dave (the worker's name) was looking over my bike and said to me ..... "With that Fatbike, you could ride it" ... After a lot of discussion..... I accepted his generous offer. I told him I didn't want to get anyone in any trouble, or trespass on private property or anything, and he told me that the City owns all of it and they have permission. He gave me detailed directions, and off I went ..... only to meet up with a female worker walking back up, she was surprised to see a bicyclist coming down their roughed out "trail", so I hadn't gone 50 feet on the trail and stopped and talked to her. Another 150 feet, and I had met all the workers. Dave said I would be the very first bicyclist to use the new "Lehigh Portland Trail" ...... what an honor. I was so excited. The foreman of the job was there also by then .... Dave ....Dave .... and another Dave ... and many took photos of me and Fatbike. I was anxious to get on by that time, so thank you's were said, and off I went before I forgot all the directions. Under the highway bridge I went ......the very first cyclist to use the new Lehigh Portland Trail connector.... a privilege I wouldn't have had if I had been riding a "lesser" bike .... however, when one is riding the "Cat D-9" of the bicycling world .....anything is possible. Seriously, it would not have been a trail that my Quick CX bike would have been capable of negotiating. Dave did mention that he was hoping to be the first bicyclist with his ECR .... but instead, the honor went to an old man with his Fattie. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Me, with some of the Lehigh Portland Trail volunteers, courtesy of Lehigh Portland Trail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kids playing at the waterfall kind of reminded me of something like Tom Sawyer .... or me, when I was a kid.... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Across the park, and through the stone "gate" and then into the old cement plant. Lehigh Portland, in case you haven't realized, was a major cement manufacturer. At some point in their history, LaFarge (a French cement manufacturer) bought some or all of Lehigh. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The old scale-house going into the plant. In my working career, I hauled many a load of cement from LaFarge and Lehigh plants, so naturally, I was really excited about this part. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was the old pumphouse, used for bringing water up out of Elm Creek to the plant. If you look on top of the roof .... you'll see I have a welcoming committee. The buzzards were waiting! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The old bridge that you see next to the pumphouse came from down by Humboldt, and I believe Dave told me it was over 100 years old.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The bridge will go on these newly poured abutments and span the little creek. If you look down at the bottom, you will see a small plank bridge that crosses the stream for now. Steep down and back up, I walked. Because these people were nice enough to let me back here before everything was finished, I sure wasn't going to take any chances. Enjoy my chance to ride this, without the risk of injury that might cause problems for others later. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's "Fats" on the "bridge" .....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After following the trail around the lake, (it got almost like a road after the bridge) I finally came to a great photo op of of the lake. This "road" that I was following was not at all like a rail trail in that it followed the terrain instead of an established grade ..... there were hills!! A nice change from the railroad grade. </span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look across the lake and remember the view, with the plant in the background. I placed a historical photo of the plant from about the same spot right below. The tall smokestack is missing in the modern photo, but the view is close to the same.The little "island" you see in the water was, I believe, the roof of a submerged building. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In this historical image (below) the photo of the plant in the back is the same basic location as mine. There was no lake there then, only the quarry and haul road. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another historical image showing the plant as it was when operating.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After following the trail for a ways, I finally came on a gate and a paved road beyond. I really had no idea where I was at that time, so, I turned around and backtracked. Besides, I wasn't ready to give up exploring quite yet. I was, however, getting close on water, and because there was none available where I was, it was going to limit my time spent here. So, instead of following around the lake shore to the south, I opted to turn around there and head back. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">On my way back, I found Mr and Mrs Canada were leading their gosling family to safety in the woods. She was a bit nervous, but I tried not to crowd them. The poor little one in the back was having a terrible time with the rocks, and kept falling further and further behind. Mama finally came back, and coaxed him over to the dirt and then into the tall weeds on the side, all the while keeping a close eye on me. He made it okay.Just a day or so old and they already have to accept whatever life throws at them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back through the plant for a quick tour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's not every day, one gets to tour through a piece of history like this by yourself. I was very careful to take only pictures and leave only tireprints. Again, I was very conscious of the special permission I had been given. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ah yes ....how well I remember signs like that, and the constant vigilance of the supervisors. But ...... I had my hard hat, okay .... ....cycling helmet .... and my steel cleated shoes .... and my dark riding glasses ..... so I'm okay! Yeah, boss!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, boss ..... me and fatty are ready to clear some trail!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And coming back out. The trail was roughed out and looks much better than it really was, but they will have this connector done before long ... they need to smooth it out, and put some aggregate down, and put some drainage under some of the low spots to let the water through. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When this trail system is open, what a wonderful opportunity it will be for cyclists, walkers, and lovers of nature and the history of a town and area. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a bit of history to read on the plant. This was a reprint from the Iola Register April, 1938. </span><br />
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<h1 class="entry-title" itemprop="name headline">
Cement Plant A Vital Cog in History of Iola</h1>
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<img alt="Iola Portland Cement Plant Early Postcard" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-111" src="http://i1.wp.com/lehightrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/iolaportlandcementplantearlypostcard.jpg?resize=529%2C315" height="316" width="529" /><br />
This article is reprinted from the <a href="http://iolaregister.com/" target="_blank">Iola Register</a>,
April 27, 1938, and discusses the early history of the Lehigh Portland
Cement Plant (originally the Iola Portland Cement Plant):<br />
<blockquote>
<h3>
Cement Plant A Vital Cog in History of Iola</h3>
<b>Cement Goes Back to Prehistoric Times When Limestone and
Shale Were Laid Down Here by the Ocean; Plant Has Operated Here
Successfully for Forty Years; Manufacture Is an Involved and Lengthy
Process</b><br />
The history of Iola cement, the most modern and up-to-date
construction material, dates back to the very dawn of time. Millions of
years ago, when the great dinosaurs roamed through the lush vegetation
that grew in the mud and ooze of the prehistoric earth, the seas covered
southeast Kansas at various times. During one of these eras, which were
thousands of years long, the ocean receded and deposited a layer of
limestone covered with mud. These depositions hardened, after eons of
time, into the rocks known today as the Iola limestone and the Iola
shale.<br />
Sometime in the last decade of the nineteenth century, geologists
discovered these two ledges of rock relatively near the surface in Allen
County, and industrial research chemists found that they were superior
to any raw material for the manufacture of cement. In 1898 the Lehigh
Construction company of Michigan began building a large cement plant for
a company of men from Detroit and St. Louis, and in 1899 the first
cement was manufactured in the plant which is now the Iola plant of the
Lehigh Portland Cement Company. The original concern was called the Iola
Portland Cement Company and its first president and manager was S. H.
Bassett, after whom the suburb of Iola which grew up around the plant
was named.<br />
The fact that the shale and limestone, the two main ingredients of
cement, and natural gas, fuel for the engines, were found abundantly in
Iola, made Iola one of the most profitable locations in the country for a
cement factory.<br />
This was the first large cement plant west of the Mississippi river,
and for many years was the largest west of Chicago. Some of the first
shipments out of Iola went to the southern and the mountain states, and
even as far west as California and Oregon. The power used at that time
was natural gas, and the plant had a capacity of 6,000 barrels per day
in the 22 kilns, each one of which was 80 feet long. Today the plant
still uses natural gas in the kilns, but the power is furnished by oil
burning Diesel engines, and the plant’s capacity is 4,000 barrels per
day using only 6 kilns. <br />
In 1915 the plant was changed from a dry process to a wet process
factory. The change entailed the purchase of a considerable amount of
new machinery and a reorganization of the processes of manufacture, but
the owners felt that a better grade of cement could be manufactured by
using the wet mix method. Their decision proved wise, for the Iola
cement continues to this day to be second to none in the world. In 1917,
the Lehigh Portland cement company of Allentown, Pa., purchased the
plant. No radical changes were made in the personnel or the method of
manufacture, but C. A. Swiggett, a relatively young man but with years
of experience in cement manufacture, was placed in charge. The plant has
enjoyed a continued success ever since that time. Even in the depths of
the depression, the Iola Lehigh mill had surprisingly few periods when
it was forced to shut down, and the seasonal layoff at the present time
has been reduced to the minimum for plants of this size and scope.<br />
There are at present 150 men directly employed at the large mill
south of Iola. The mill grounds cover about 15 acres, but the company
owns about 300 acres in the vicinity, to give it, as one of the
executives expressed it, “plenty of elbow room.” The plant consists or
several huge storage bins, an office building, garages, bath houses and
change rooms for the employees, quarries, trackage for the shipping of
the product, and the great crushing and mixing mill itself. It is
obviously impossible, in a brief newspaper article, to give anything but
a very sketchy description of the many involved steps through which the
shale, limestone and gypsum rock are taken before they are mixed and
sacked for sale as Lehigh Portland cement. The limestone rock and the
shale are quarried separately and transported on the plant’s own
railroad from the quarry, to the crushing hoppers where they are
hammered into a powder by the giant jaws of the monster machines. When
they have reached a certain degree of fineness, they are mixed, while
wet, in the approximate percentage of 80 parts of limestone to 20 parts
of shale. This wet mix is then burned in the huge kilns into the form
known as the “clinker,” a small cinder which averages about an inch In
diameter, and during this process, the gypsum is added to the clinker.
The clinker is then ground into the final form, cement; and the powdery
construction material is stored in the great bins to await packaging in
barrels, cars, or paper and cloth sacks for shipment. <br />
<h4>
First Shipment Of Iola Cement Still Unpaid</h4>
There is an old legend at the Lehigh Portland cement plant here
concerning the first batch of cement which was manufactured in the Iola
plant, way hack in 1899. Samples were sent out from the first barrels of
cement which were produced, and a New Orleans contractor, doing work on
the levees in Louisiana, bought an entire train load of the product.
Plant officials smiled as they saw the freight cars move out of Iola
destined for New Orleans, and they made quick calculations in their mind
concerning the size of the check which would be forthcoming in a few
days. The cement found its way into the levees in Louisiana, but the
check never found its way back to Iola. Something happened to the
contractor after the work had been completed and accepted, and the Iola
cement plant’s first shipment proved to be a bad account. The cement
gave perfect satisfaction, but the bill was never paid.</blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-43069105996849064832016-04-24T11:43:00.001-05:002016-04-24T11:44:53.446-05:00Prairie Spirit Trail 2016<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Prairie Spirit Trail; 2016:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I try to get up to ride the Prairie Spirit Trail at least once a year. This year I seem to have a lot of stuff going on later in the year, so I chose to go up earlier. I asked several people to join, but only Becky was able to go on a moments notice. Even then, we had to keep moving the date up a notch at a time because of the weather. Finally, though, the big day was here, and while Becky had some other obligations that would limit her riding to only one day, we decided it would be the best chance we had, so we decided to go for it. As I have done the Prairie Spirit several times in the past, I didn't take a huge amount of pictures ..... the next blog, however, is a very special one ...... be sure not to miss out on that one as there are a lot of pictures, and a first time ride. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because our first day ride started a bit later than I normally would, mostly due to a 5 hour drive getting there, we decided that a loop from Ottawa to Garnett would be just the ticket, plus, we could eat at the Prairie Belle cafe in Garnett. Jim Bangs and I had eaten there before, and it was superb. We started from the Ottawa Trailhead, and as we were getting ready, we noticed a group of riders heading south. When we reached Princeton, we caught up with them ..... wearing Texas and Katy Trail jerseys. After talking, we found out that we knew many of them from the Katy. Such a fun reunion time. I think we spent a half hour there. Lots of questions and attention paid to the Fatbike ...... and even as we were riding later, Becky kept asking about it. Finally, I stopped, adjusted the saddle height, and swapped bikes with her for a while. She not only did well ..... I had a hard time keeping up with her. She had my camera with her on my bike ....... I would have loved to get a picture of the big grin on her face, little tiny girl riding a great big Fatbike ..... and enjoying the heck out of it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some of the Texas group at the Princeton Trailhead. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Becky and I at the Garnett Depot. Love their Sunflower bike racks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After we ate in town ...... and once again, it seemed that no one could walk by the bikes parked out front without stopping and looking the Fattie over, we rode on south a ways and came back to the south lake, checked out the new tent sites for trail users. It looks like many could camp in that area, and while you do have to pay a fee ...... I didn't look to see what it was. After looking it up, it seems that those sites will go for $9 a night per unit, primitive camping. Like the fee for the trail, there are self serve envelopes and a deposit "box" for the fees. We circled the lake so Becky could get a first ride ever over a pontoon bridge, following a big guy on a fat bike bouncing the bridge pretty good gave her a fun ride ..... and she enjoyed it as you can see by the smile on her face. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">An old barn hidden away in the woods.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Spring green was so bright, and so beautiful. This seemed to be a good choice for time of year to ride. They had just finished opening all the trailside facilities a week or so earlier, so everything was in good working order for us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> After this, we ambled on back into the wind for the return to Ottawa. We ate dinner at the Smoked Creations, a Bar-B-Que place recommended to me by a friend who lives in Ottawa. I was glad I listened to him as it was a great place to eat. Good food and plenty of it, a lovely dinner companion, and cold beer .... with Miller light draft on special for $2 a glass, can life get much better? Unfortunately, Becky had to return early and would miss out on the next day's ride, so I went south early the next morning in order to ride north from Iola to Garnett. After I got a ways north of Colony however, I turned around and headed back south and breakfasted in Colony. The food was still good. I did, run into some of the Texas group again, so more talking and fun. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I was leaving Iola, these colorful grain augers caught my eye ... all neatly arranged in a row. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Early morning, the trail was beautiful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The abandoned telegraph poles and insulators are a memory of times gone by. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The wildlife was a bit "squirrelly" in the morning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yours Truly, with "Fats" on one of the many bridges. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Being an old farm boy, I "love" old barns ..... of course, those of you who follow my blog know this already. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Hey ...... A girl would like a little privacy while she's taking her bath ..... do you mind!!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Serenity</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The geese were not camera shy like the cow.... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> And so ..... with my return to Iola, this ride comes to a close. I did not, however, stop at Iola ..... but that is for another blog, one I think you will really enjoy as much as I did. Keep your eyes open for the new blog to follow shortly. </span>RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-46679185927951815412015-09-27T04:08:00.000-05:002015-09-27T04:08:26.702-05:00Mickelson Trail Day 3<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday, September 20, 2015:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rochford To Deadwood, 26 miles:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A short day today started right out of the gate with the ten miles remaining uphill to the top of Dumont Grade. It also started out darned <i>cold. </i>I spent the night down in Spearfish, as it was the closest place I could get a room. I found out in the morning at breakfast, I wasn't the only one, there were several other riders in the same hotel. We got to Deadwood early, just before 7am. The first bus was supposed to go at 7:30, but, buses leave when full, and it was just pulling out. Oh well .... so I'd catch the second one. It was quite pleasant in Spearfish, so I only put shorts on, and short sleeves, it was supposed to get up to 74 degrees today in Deadwood. It wasn't quite that pleasant in Rochford, however as my bike had frost all over it, then after riding about 15 minutes, I went to get a drink of water, (I had left my water bottle on the bike) turned it up, squeezed ...... and nothing came out .... shook it hard, felt the ice knocking around in there, and breaking up, then I got some water. I think that there may have been a little skim of ice in the bottle, but the valve had frozen. Got a bit colder than I thought. I left there with shorts on .. got 1/2 mile up the trail and immediately stopped and pulled my tights on and wished I had a warmer jacket with me. Shivered for 5 miles before I finally warmed enough to be comfy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The trail on this section was much coarser gravel, with sections of soft and loose stuff and rocky layers. Going down the north side there were some rough sections and lots of softer and loose areas. The hybrid and cross riders found it paid to be vigilant. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Loved all the bridges! Not hard to get scenic photos anywhere along this trail! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The number 4 and last tunnel on the ride. The tunnels were very nice, with wooden beam entrances, they looked to be very original, and hard rock blasted interiors. Really cool tunnels. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Some local color up near the summit of Dumont Grade.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Horse! Such brilliant color variations with the bright horse colors against a wonderful green background, and the black cattle in the back. I thought it made for a good contrast of colors. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pretty little ranch way back in the back. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was admiring the view when a nice young lady rolled up alongside and asked if I wanted her to take my picture .... sure .... she did a great job. She was an blogging advertising sales person from Arlington, S.D. , Just 30 miles from where I grew up. Great to talk to and we chatted for a ways down the hill. I coasted away from her going down the hill. Most of the hybrid riders kept their fingers on the brakes most of the way down because of the changing trail conditions. None of that affected the Fattie, however ... The Beast was flyin' by them all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we topped the high point of the grade, a young man on a bright orange Salsa Warbird passed me pedaling furiously. I was coasting off the top, and for the whole 8 miles, I never turned the crank. Just tucked into my aero position behind my Jones bars and coasted. 4 miles down the grade, 22/23 mph and I caught and passed the Warbird, He was still pedaling. There was enough soft trail surface, he had to keep pedaling with his skinny 700/32 tires just to keep going. He was surprised when I passed and told him I hadn't pedaled a stroke since the top. When he did finally catch me at the next trailhead, he wanted to know all about the bike. All the way down that upper portion of the grade, never below 20mph and usually around 22 to 24 mph and never turned a pedal. Fun. I wasn't going to race down, but coasting at that speed on a fattie was just too tempting. Soft spots, rough spots, loose spots .... nothing mattered, just tuck and scoot! </span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I caught up to another Fatbike, a Mukluk, and we chatted for a bit, he was with a small family group, and all of a sudden, they all pulled over to the right and stopped. I did too, and if I hadn't, I'd have missed this shot of the Homestake Gold Mine .... the largest operating underground gold mine in the U.S. I took the tour many years ago and I believe they said those tunnels went over 6500 feet down. Seen through the opening in the trees, the tall building that looks a bit like a grain elevator is actually the shaft elevator for the mine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After a short, fairly level stretch, it was a pleasant downhill the rest of the way into Deadwood from here. There was one hairpin that everyone warned me about, and, they also had the main gate closed just before you got there and a hairpin sign. You had to squeeze through the walk gate, making you slow dramatically. Good thing too, right at the curve and all the way through the tight hairpin, the gradient increased dramatically, and there was a very, very loose surface. I'm glad I paid attention to the warnings, at even 10mph you would have left the trail. I broke rear wheel traction at 5mph in the middle of the turn! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The rest of the way into Deadwood was uneventful, and when I crossed the finish line, I was actually sad that it was over. I think If I had arranged for a bit more time, I'd have turned around and did it the other way....... next time, I'm riding back to Hill City, anyway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was a line waiting to take their pictures at the sign .... I didn't feel like waiting, so I just took a picture of the sign with someone else's bike by it. The sign was what I wanted anyway, and I wasn't going to get it unoccupied so I took it this way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The city of Deadwood provided a dedicated trolley to take us from the Trailhead to the pavilion for lunch and bring us back. Pretty neat little open air trolley ride.This is the pavilion after the ride where we were served our last meal.That really didn't sound right, but it was the last meal we ate with the State Parks .... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Just a light lunch they called it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Downtown Deadwood. I decided to walk back to the car after the "light lunch" ..... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Deadwood Train Depot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A bike of a different ilk seen in Sturgis.. This had a Wisconsin V4 combine engine, an old tractor seat, an old grain binder wheel in the back, and many other old junk parts. Looked pretty cool, I thought. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some of the Schwag...... </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shirt front</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shirt back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can always use another cap. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Decals</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Really nice roomy carry all bag. It seemed well made and should come in handy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This South Dakota State Parks ride turned out absolutely wonderful! Such great people, and such a wonderful experience. I loved every minute of it. I really don't know why I had any reservations about the ride, but I shouldn't have. It all worked perfectly. Great ride, beautiful scenery, lovely weather (a bit chilly at times, and one challenging windy day), great food and drink, and wonderful people all combined to make this a memorable experience for sure! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If I have a caveat, it's on me ....... the weather here is very changeable, take every bit of cycling clothes you have .... warm weather, cool weather, cold weather ..... and rain gear..... regardless of the time of year, or whether or not you think you are going to need it ..... if you got it ..... take it! This is another plus for the way they planned this ride. You didn't have to take all that stuff with you because you went back to your room and your luggage every night. Just prepare in the morning for what you might need. Bikes ....... the recommended bike is a mountain bike, the next most common bike was a hybrid, after that, a few townies, a couple of road bikes, several touring bikes, and 5 Fatbikes. Do it your way, but this is one you really ought to do ...... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My choice of bike, for me, was great. The easy rolling Fatbike proved to be a very capable trail bike for the long ups and downs of the Mickelson. The very changeable trail conditions proved to keep the riders of lesser bikes on their toes, but for me, just charge ahead, and don't worry, the bike will take care of me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Other conclusions: If you are planning on doing this on your own, there is abundant lodging and food all along the trail, the hardest climbs are at either end, the weather is, at best, totally unpredictable any time of year, the beauty of the ride is stunning. I like the company of other riders, as well as the leadership of a well experienced tour group, State Parks are great as they know the climate, adversities, and how to make it all work better than anyone else could ....... it's their place after all. This ride, done with the South Dakota State Parks does not disappoint! The ride has become very popular, however, and the 600 rider limit is filled well before the ride. The State Parks and the small towns along the way knock themselves out to make sure you feel welcome and have a wonderful time. Great way to do a ride like this for the first time, plus, I talked to many riders who had done it 8 to 10 times ..... it must be great ...... and it was! Why do it on your own when you can have the benefit of the experience the State Parks provide and the fun and companionship of all the other riders as well. Great ride!! I'm just sorry it's so far away from me. The bike ride was wonderful, the long car drive .....not so much... Yes ..... I was a Virgin ..... but now I am a Mickelson veteran! OooRah!!! </span>RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-70468976419997517092015-09-26T06:54:00.000-05:002015-09-26T07:02:45.925-05:00Mickelson Trail, Day Two<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday, September 19, 2015:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Custer to Rochford: 39 miles</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Too much beautiful scenery on this day. Three tunnels, and mountain streams with waterfalls ..... be prepared for a picture overload. I had a hard time cropping out many, except the climb up Red</span><span style="font-size: large;">fern Grade, which I had done a couple days before and included in an earlier segment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today
started out chilly. I walked out of my motel room and started across
the street for breakfast and noticed the frost on the top of my car as I
walked by, roof, hood windows, etc ..... all had frost ... hmmm ....
going to be a cool start today. I brought my red Pearl Izumi
windbreaker, which is good down into the 40's. I had already wished I
had brought my heavy winter riding jacket. No wind today which is a
blessing, however.This was to be one of our hardest days, 40 miles, three big long climbs. 5 miles coming out of Custer, 8 1/2 miles from Hill City to Redfern, and then 3 miles of the 13 mile long Dumont grade to get up to Rochford. The hardest climb was the Redfern grade, 8 1/2 miles of 3 1/2% to occasionally 4%. While that doesn't seem very steep, the fact that it is on gravel, makes it a bit tougher. It's a steady climb with no breaks, and the sheer length of the climbs as well as the fact there were three long climbs, wears you down. I was ready to stop by the time we got to Rochford. There is a lot of climbing on this rail trail. Not like your ordinary "follow the big river" type of trail. You just keep the cranks turning, though, and you will get to the top. Combine the climbing with constantly changing mountain scenery, and the wild temperature swings along with the 6,000 to 7,000 foot elevation all combine to make it all a bit of a challenge for an old man. Today would prove to be probably the most scenic of the three days (in my opinion). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Started on the trail at 7:30am this morning, the sun just peeping over the tops of the trees. Cold and crisp. This is typical of the rugged cuts along this trail. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">No wind, loved the reflections and the crispy feel to it all.You can see the steam rising off the warm water in the cold air.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Frost still on the meadow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the many bridges</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Still frosty</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally ..... SUN! And .....maybe a little warmth to go with it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were some times when the trail just hung on the side of the mountain, cliff on one side, and drop-off on the other. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Original tracks, sign and telegraph pole. It does make one wonder a bit ..... it <i>could </i>have been moved to the side of the gate a ways ... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another pretty, rocky cut. It was nice when I could get another cyclist in my photos ..... it was <i>so </i>crowded with 600 cyclists after all. As you can see today, the trail <i>does </i>get a bit rough in places.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">First view of Crazy Horse Monument.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A bit closer view. I was here about 20 years ago, and I really don't see much accomplished in that time. I'm sure it will never be completed in my lifetime, maybe not at all. The immensity of it is lost in the scope. The face alone is ten stories high. Could you imagine? I really don't know how they can do something that detailed, so large and have it come out so well. If you wish to see any of these full size, just click the picture. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A bit about the sculpture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sun peeping through the trees.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Mommie, Mommie ....Look .... Fatbikes take naps too" ........ </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first of three tunnels we went through today. Dark in there, and long, don't forget to remove your dark glasses before you go in or you may not see the bear..... There were three tunnels today, and one on Sunday, this was the longest, and most unusual as it curved through the mountain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think I'd walk through the stream before I'd go over that bridge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the longer and higher trestles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The old log church at Mystic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of old buildings at Mystic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ladies at Mystic put out quite a spread for us, all home baked goodies. I looked for a "tips" jar, but didn't find one. I chatted with the little white haired gal seated there and asked her, and she said "There are about 25 families living up here, and we all get together when you do this ride and bake these treats for you riders because you do so much for us here" ..... Well ........All I'd done so far was to eat their delicious treats. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even goodies for the gluten free crowd. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A bit more rugged part of the trail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Another tunnel</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This one, you can see the daylight at the other end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lots of these pretty little falls and rapids.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">First class ride, this one .... they don't make you print your information on your tags .... it came already all printed up for us. Pretty darn nice touch, I'd say. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bike parking area at Rochford. Put your helmet on your seat, and the nice lady ties a plastic bag (two in fact) over it all and ties it around your seatpost fore and aft. I took my rear bag and camera and left the rest. The bike stays there overnight with a couple of guardians who volunteered to stay there awake all night. This is the 18th Trail Trek, and they have never yet had an incident. Clever arrangement for parking .... they string tight ropes across, put number tags on the ropes for designated parking (there are 600 bikes) and tie us off to the ropes. I only had to wheel my bike there and they did the rest. <i>AND</i> .... with their numbering system I found my bike with no trouble in the morning .... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see the big crowd there already. If I didn't have this slow ol' Fatbike, I might have been able to beat some of the crowd.The bike parking area is completely surrounded by growth. I would have ridden right on by if there wasn't someone at the opening to steer me in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Close up of how they tie the bike to the rope. Worked very well, holds the brake tight, and the handlebar to the rope. Bike is going nowhere, even in a strong wind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Moonshine Gulch Saloon. During Sturgis rally time, you can't get anywhere near this place. They had an outdoor bar for us just off to the right where we had a choice of several brands of beer, from the big names to the craft beers. There was water and soda pop, tea and lemonade, and food, all included with the ride, in the community building to the left of the white car. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> Just down the road a bit to the left was a huge tent
where we had live entertainment. The school bus to the right was one of 6
that were there waiting for us, to return us back to Custer. I believe
they made two trips each. The State Parks and the people of Rochford (I
know they are going to hate this description of how to pronounce the
name, but think "Crotch" drop the "C" and add "furd" and you will be close). I would have pronounced the name like "Roachford" ..... but no
..... it's more like "Rotchfurd" ... Oh me .... learn something every
day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was our light lunch at Rochford, I had already consumed 5 of the cherry tomatoes and a bite out of the sloppy joe. They also had raw broccoli, cauliflower and carrots, I can't handle much of that kind of raw veggies, so I settled for the tomatoes. The food was all great on this ride, and the refreshing beverages were cold and hit the spot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our band ..... a five piece country western group that was very good. I really enjoyed them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see some of the crowd and the size of the tent. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were a few of us that got up there and danced, including the "Old Man" .... 2 beers, two pretty women and 4 dances later had me worn right down, however. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The South Dakota State Parks Department does indeed know how to put on a bike ride. They knock themselves out so all of us had much fun and enjoyment during our time with them. Everything that had concerned me before the ride .... the large number of riders, all the shuttling, leaving our bikes overnight .... all proved to be not worth the worry. It all worked out perfectly. The food and drink were wonderful, all the rest stops, were great ..... AND .... we still had one more wonderful day ahead. </span>
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<br />RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-33043469677716580222015-09-25T05:40:00.000-05:002015-09-25T05:40:34.624-05:00Mickelson Trail, Day One<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Friday, September 18, 2015:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Custer to Edgemont, 46 miles: </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chilly at the start, but not really too bad. 40 degrees and only about a 10mph breeze from the west. Breakfast across from my motel, the lady that ran the motel had worked out a "special" with the restaurant. Two eggs, sausage or bacon, hash browns, toast or pancakes, all for $4.99 including tax. I liked the sausage and the pancakes were great. Very filling start to my day ...... and .... they opened at 6am. Had breakfast this morning with a very nice couple from Nebraska who told me I could start anytime I wanted, anywhere from 7am to 10am, this was their 6th Trail Trek. I got going about 7:40. The weather reports all said 80% chance of rain this morning. Luckily, it didn't happen, it all went a ways to the south of us.Which, by the way, was a really, really, good thing seeing as how I left my rain gear in my closet at home ...... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> There were a few riders that started about the same time as I did, and these would stay around me most of the day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I keep seeing these old cars all over. Some hot-rodder's drooling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Pringle rest stop. There are 600 riders on this ride .... see them?? The tall fellow in the red jacket is a Park Ranger. He rode the entire way with us, keeping us safe and in good hands.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The Pringle Bicycle Pile. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A lot of times on my ride, the trail was about this crowded. I rode many miles all by myself. This is considered to be the least scenic of the entire trail. I found beauty everywhere though. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ruins of an old Lime plant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I enjoyed these informative signs all along the trail at points of interest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When the cloud cover started over us, the temperature dropped 5 degrees, down to around 36 or 37, and the wind picked up to 35-40mph from the WSW ...... there were several times when I was blown completely across the trail, thought I was going to be unsaddled by the fence rails. A big gust would hit, and it happened very quickly. Very cold wind, a smell of snow in the air for a bit. Fortunately, it didn't. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The heavy cloud cover broke up for a bit before filling back in again. Temperature stayed cold until we got all the way down into Edgemont. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Minnekahta Junction, at the junction of the trail and Hwy 18. Only had about 12 more miles to go at this point. Lunch provided was a choice of ham, beef, veggie, or turkey Subway's. Chips and a drink also. No beer today ..... suits me, too cold! You notice I didn't take my gloves off even to eat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cloud cover back with us again for a bit. Not warming. This is the Minnekahta Trailhead. I was lucky enough be one of the first ones there and got a seat at the table in the enclosed shelter off the photo to the left. Nailed it down with my water bottle. The sandwiches were good. Everything fresh and crisp. I had ham, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle on mine. No chips, but had tea. Could you imagine going into a Subway at 7am and saying ....."I want 600 sandwiches to go please, and make it snappy, I got hungry riders waiting" ..... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Leaving Minnekahta, heading right into the wind for a while, very slow going. It was along this stretch when a rider came up alongside and was asking lots of questions about the Fatbike. He was on a Specialized carbon cross bike. I told him we could switch for a little bit and he could ride it if he wanted. He grabbed at the chance. So, I got on his, he got on mine ..... and he took off like a rifle shot. I had a hard time catching and keeping up on his light carbon bike. When we stopped about a mile later, he said he was amazed at how easy it pedaled and how well it rode. I could tell by the big grin on his face. His mouth dropped to his chest when I told him he was riding on tires with only 8 pounds of pressure in them. He thought that was impossible! After riding his, I agreed with the ride part, I thought his was a really rough and uncomfortable ride, was glad to get back on the fattie. I think I may be a bit spoiled! He was impressed, however, and I think Bikes Direct may have another Fatbike customer. That wonderful soft cushy ride is the reason I choose this bike for rides like this over my lighter gravel bike.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lots of pretty side canyons coming down off the top. This was supposed to be mostly a downhill day, but with the heavy wind and cold temps, the weather conditions took most of that easy-peasy stuff away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Coming down off the top, about halfway, the sky started clearing for good, the wind did not abate, however. They had a detour around Edgemont because of a bridge out, and we had to take the highway (which they thoughtfully coned off for us), around the town and back in from the west. I almost didn't think I was going to make it across the highway bridge directly into that strong wind .....killer!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Made it into town and down to the park finally. The temperature finally warmed into the low 50's. Heat Wave!!! It felt wonderful! The detour added a little over a mile to today's ride. I got a nice young lady to take a picture of me riding across the covered bridge. This was a nice reproduction, and very authentic in detail. I thought it was pretty cool. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">She was nice enough to take my picture, so I took hers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The interior of the bridge, all the contributor's names and ranch brands on the overheads all the way across. Nicely constructed. We here in the west don't see too many covered bridges, so this was a treat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lots of homemade pies of various flavors. This is one time it pays to get an early start. I ate dinner that night with a couple who started around 9am, and by the time they got here, everything was gone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And these wonderful ladies stuffing us full of ice cream .... This is why it pays to get in early .... The later riders missed out! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I saw this old abandoned homestead on the drive down the afternoon before, but didn't have my camera with me in the car. I left it on the bike at my room because the car was staying at Edgemont for the night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, came the nice part. No waiting. When I was ready to leave, my car was sitting there waiting for me, so I put the bike on the carrier and high tailed it back to Custer. After a short rest, I did a walkabout town, then went to dinner. I sat at the community table .... one big long table where they sat anyone who wanted to join in with others. If you weren't friends when you sat down, you were at the end of the meal. I had a Buffalo Burger (huge) potato salad, lots of veggies on the burger, and a Heffeweitzen, (wheat beer) ... Very light, mild almost sweet beer, not bitter with overdone hops. I liked it enough I had another. I had this when I was in Germany, but had no idea you could get it here. Tasted the same. This was on tap where I ate, The Black Hills Bun and Burger Company. They had great burgers, and the potato salad was to die for!!! This dinner was on the State Parks, they had included a $10 Mickelson Bucks check. This was what I used it for. So ..... first day on the trail, down. Not the big crowded conditions I had feared, a pleasant bunch of riders all along the trail and the SAG people were just great. I'm beginning to realize I had made several right choices here. The Fatbike was another good choice as well. There are many constantly changing trail conditions, from loose to soft, to hard pack like pavement, and back again, some places were just plain rough, and some were as smooth as pavement. Several of the bridge approaches were a sharp jump up, a bunny-hop with cross, hybrid and lesser bikes ..... with the fattie .... just plow on straight ahead and roll right over it all. Into the wind, I just tucked down into a wind cheating aero position by grabbing the front loop on the Jones bars and resting my wrists on the rear cross bar, slide my butt back on the saddle a ways and tuck down, it worked just fine. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe not as comfy as a real aero bar, but better than straight bars ten times to Sunday. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The majority of the bikes on the trail were mountain bikes, with hybrids bringing in a close second. I did see one or two road bikes, but this trail really isn't particularly well suited for a roadie. That said, the roadies that were there made it to the end, so if that's what you want to ride .... go for it! I'm just not really experienced enough to feel confident riding those skinny tires on this type of trail, so like most newbies, I choose on the side of caution. I'm still in one piece too .... </span><br />
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<br />RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-17236578087529982812015-09-24T09:54:00.000-05:002015-09-24T10:31:53.134-05:00Black Hills, South Dakota<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">September 16, 2015</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Traveling Day:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was to be a traveling and sight seeing day with a bit of bike riding at the end, and the next morning which I lumped together all in one post. there are lots of photos, and only a small amount of narrative, hope you enjoy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Panhandling Jackasses. Keep your windows up, they are not bashful about sticking their heads in and rummaging for food, or whatever. They'll steal what they find interesting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Prairie Dogs are cute little critters to watch</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sure that this big old fellow is on the State Park's payroll to stand there and be photogenic. He did a good job. I noticed several others on our ride later that had the same pictures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Typical of the roads through the park. If anyone is thinking of riding through here, the roads are narrow, heavily traveled, no shoulders, and full of gawking tourists. Very steep grades and sharp curves as well. That said, there was a bike expedition service at Sylvan Lake that rented bikes or you could ride your own and for a fee they would pick you back up from the bottom and bring you back ...... all downhill from there except for a few short steep uphills. I saw lots of bikes zooming down, most were faster than the cars.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Needles Eye Tunnel, tight squeeze.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The Needle's Eye.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Sylvan Lake</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This is the end of my driving, just down the hill to Hill City from here, the rest of the time was on the bike. Hill City has the "1880 Train", It's not really <i>from </i>1880, but that was when the gold rush began here, so they called it that. Very nice train display and museum though, and I like trains. I posted a video on my own page, but not able to post one here of the train pulling the loaded cars up the hill. This below is a good example of an early Ten Wheeler style locomotive on static display.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had ridden my bike through here because the parking lot was full, and it was easier to get around with the bike. I also left here, and rode up the "Old Hill City/Keystone Road" to a vantage point for my video. Very hard pull coming out of Hill City on a bike. I was puffing as hard as the train when I got to where I wanted to take my video. So glad I didn't have luggage.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A Ten Wheeler Tank Engine. Normally used as a switcher or for short local deliveries, it didn't need a tender as it had a large fuel tank behind the cab and carried it's water in the tank above the boiler where it was pre-heated. These little engines were very powerful, and this one did a fine job. These were nicely restored period passenger cars.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A fellow could get a nice cold shower walking by here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rabbit Bicycle in Hill City. Stopped in for a bit and met the owner and chatted a bit. Very nice shop and pleasant people. Many rental bikes, sales and service.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rode downtown and saw the sights. It's a very "artsy" town.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48u9nn62eusatI1NNl82i3-oCr_Y91tcb68S1_JfB-v3mDbyigiCzxu_Z8fkieeiKGuXlPNalqrDGxk5wUeT5GkzsiRDG2NU1K0VbfXZpjS8UIGrJwU_mEu0kaDFkTk_mmRF_kLkDkA_U/s1600/P1040926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48u9nn62eusatI1NNl82i3-oCr_Y91tcb68S1_JfB-v3mDbyigiCzxu_Z8fkieeiKGuXlPNalqrDGxk5wUeT5GkzsiRDG2NU1K0VbfXZpjS8UIGrJwU_mEu0kaDFkTk_mmRF_kLkDkA_U/s640/P1040926.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look closely at the horse (click on it to bring it full size) and you will see it's made up entirely of junk. There are old wrenches, nuts and bolts, tractor hitch parts, shock absorbers .....you name it. After this, it was time for dinner, a shower and bed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I met a nice local rider the next morning and we rode up the trail together. I went up 10 miles, and turned around. He was going to make a day of it and turn around at Rochford. I wanted to ride up the grade all the way just to see how well the Fattie would handle a long grade like that. It did just fine. The young man I was riding with was a bit stronger and faster than I, and kept me chugging along at 10-11 mph all the way up. A 20mph breeze against the backside helped here. I was still winded at the top, Phew ...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8 1/2 miles of some of the steepest grade on the trail here. Steady 3 1/2% to 4% grade to the top at Redfern. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFU0jegXDek856FFD5MrK_xHkMl02iylHlzEZYCPJMS9wG3Mnf9kgY6PzwFbR8h6xe5snhyphenhyphen9zEFh6dpgDJdlPf1mbfCo9JncEJjS2jwJkpVyrae7A2JUAnQydzMYVRauCifptWYQacQyB/s1600/P1040928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFU0jegXDek856FFD5MrK_xHkMl02iylHlzEZYCPJMS9wG3Mnf9kgY6PzwFbR8h6xe5snhyphenhyphen9zEFh6dpgDJdlPf1mbfCo9JncEJjS2jwJkpVyrae7A2JUAnQydzMYVRauCifptWYQacQyB/s640/P1040928.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> The trail follows the highway off and on, here you can see the grade quite well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7ytNISPBkJU8LGcUEyWeYsBaBtIz0W4DnRjohh9LOW2ABTd8ghAMKwh-ApBRbK_wXbgwwosWrMQ6h8_4tUD_9EfTTveNSGydAh-v0PymG7y3TElFkfc9YnPc-qRnmlH-nXuzMhMXq2Cu/s1600/P1040929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7ytNISPBkJU8LGcUEyWeYsBaBtIz0W4DnRjohh9LOW2ABTd8ghAMKwh-ApBRbK_wXbgwwosWrMQ6h8_4tUD_9EfTTveNSGydAh-v0PymG7y3TElFkfc9YnPc-qRnmlH-nXuzMhMXq2Cu/s640/P1040929.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> One of many pretty little lakes</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjF6-T5YTjuLDoclgDrfudQbB1mwJKxB4VrrW1Jr4kUobkoWuuLbYw4cm0Aw0Wuw0SF617DDaVHEY7E_DKRzF3uAnxJW6m2cSaxbQpSi7tGUUgBafbhaG3mRHOWYqJNlJQ3vj6BsdsXsD/s1600/P1040931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjF6-T5YTjuLDoclgDrfudQbB1mwJKxB4VrrW1Jr4kUobkoWuuLbYw4cm0Aw0Wuw0SF617DDaVHEY7E_DKRzF3uAnxJW6m2cSaxbQpSi7tGUUgBafbhaG3mRHOWYqJNlJQ3vj6BsdsXsD/s640/P1040931.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> There are 109 bridges so one of the trail engineers told me. I was lucky enough to meet him at Edgemont and chat with him a bit. Very interesting fellow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYH6bIuy6RBWOwLSLRbDLckISbyWBVFQlEACQCn9h7uqr9SQ_FSgtfcN8agl3sCpOFSzCvOskMFfVCWlQoH4sQkvPmL2jeLR3_9EnrSBNCyEISQt_SagT7g9fq0R8wxTCOVE_prRDOzzJf/s1600/P1040933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYH6bIuy6RBWOwLSLRbDLckISbyWBVFQlEACQCn9h7uqr9SQ_FSgtfcN8agl3sCpOFSzCvOskMFfVCWlQoH4sQkvPmL2jeLR3_9EnrSBNCyEISQt_SagT7g9fq0R8wxTCOVE_prRDOzzJf/s640/P1040933.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Hmmm ..... Who's the guy with the red coat? I gave the rider I was with my camera, and he rode off with it, zooming well ahead of me. I was beginning to wonder if I had made a mistake and lost my camera, but he stopped and turned around and took several of me coming up the trail, then returned my camera. And he took nice pictures as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do it yourself water bottle refill, cold fresh water. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRk0nkPWLFcBaSkfvN2ojtIGO9bZdUfCRUBI_7mNXQZlHno_ftYaWC8QO-EPKA5WBLHWJfZQ5S5y_AEKgB1zZSRg_XRc3iD8xcnPo_mjuTp4nBzq1I2dhm-E5aeJ2SubdcB2NbZlHceu3x/s1600/P1040938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRk0nkPWLFcBaSkfvN2ojtIGO9bZdUfCRUBI_7mNXQZlHno_ftYaWC8QO-EPKA5WBLHWJfZQ5S5y_AEKgB1zZSRg_XRc3iD8xcnPo_mjuTp4nBzq1I2dhm-E5aeJ2SubdcB2NbZlHceu3x/s640/P1040938.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Redfern Trailhead. There was a concrete plant here at one time and you can still see the old foundations back behind here. There was drinking water, table and a pit toilet here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tXXp2UXu0uy26yhSzK_phm75YOpyZ_P22TDWQ1HzCnCIbG-k7YLwwlwxwXQumOsrxo5Ty_HTPawPyrOmQfHhaS7MAJYL2ABOCK8UXdtksITe2YKa36tVpVBzM99QfJlYB1zJzkvKliM6/s1600/P1040942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tXXp2UXu0uy26yhSzK_phm75YOpyZ_P22TDWQ1HzCnCIbG-k7YLwwlwxwXQumOsrxo5Ty_HTPawPyrOmQfHhaS7MAJYL2ABOCK8UXdtksITe2YKa36tVpVBzM99QfJlYB1zJzkvKliM6/s640/P1040942.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> This old rail car used to be the offices of the concrete business.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnCmlRztiLKFI_XBP0i4pjSr2vnfSE6pD6pPioJyZDpKlgm2khfCB9KOaMhWKKVDIuxCwfyUhKGyXtMLqpaXxqMUgXIIPuUIgt6IE08r30cpvyNoNpZY8mgYoW1GbRJs0gvMG_6eZMcWU/s1600/P1040943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnCmlRztiLKFI_XBP0i4pjSr2vnfSE6pD6pPioJyZDpKlgm2khfCB9KOaMhWKKVDIuxCwfyUhKGyXtMLqpaXxqMUgXIIPuUIgt6IE08r30cpvyNoNpZY8mgYoW1GbRJs0gvMG_6eZMcWU/s640/P1040943.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Trail up on top, heading down from Redfern.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkF30WMPejTRPd_7B7bvFInUN7oUm7CT4aYWzvTJ6kX-cAyLq58lckKrwjL22JeKJc6zvhYcyM8KS96afBQafRlCZfCtj3XMvQjmJi9LyW4wA4sJCBhaRjeX81sklDQ5lBJLRjqyqCo07/s1600/P1040944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkF30WMPejTRPd_7B7bvFInUN7oUm7CT4aYWzvTJ6kX-cAyLq58lckKrwjL22JeKJc6zvhYcyM8KS96afBQafRlCZfCtj3XMvQjmJi9LyW4wA4sJCBhaRjeX81sklDQ5lBJLRjqyqCo07/s640/P1040944.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Hiding wayyyy in the back is a Fatbike.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5rXUseRufUEFbPEIWL1YjAtRmkxJWIkK6poTNH8xBIXbAUDAWPrJMujQ1yVUEu5OCIWYPC_RrqPMahNbrQ6KT_F19NkhO9AEYCvLYFLC-MbPee7bLRY3jurUeL7eo7iuOTZifycAogW4/s1600/P1040948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5rXUseRufUEFbPEIWL1YjAtRmkxJWIkK6poTNH8xBIXbAUDAWPrJMujQ1yVUEu5OCIWYPC_RrqPMahNbrQ6KT_F19NkhO9AEYCvLYFLC-MbPee7bLRY3jurUeL7eo7iuOTZifycAogW4/s640/P1040948.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Met a fellow and his wife doing the trail together on loaded bikes. When they got to Deadwood, they will turn around and ride back ro Edgemont. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdL1x5bqkaEv6sfVBbGQLIAFCjSkLuZT6dqppgZiF1iI_SWjP-C1Bg6rxkU8FDgWbySklxgqnt7Cv26HuF4_Ub6ZWH9tB9OYp1qzbAwTjbN2Gsv1qocMnFJ-RRR_YE3mNRchattwMQ2_cK/s1600/P1040950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdL1x5bqkaEv6sfVBbGQLIAFCjSkLuZT6dqppgZiF1iI_SWjP-C1Bg6rxkU8FDgWbySklxgqnt7Cv26HuF4_Ub6ZWH9tB9OYp1qzbAwTjbN2Gsv1qocMnFJ-RRR_YE3mNRchattwMQ2_cK/s640/P1040950.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Parts of the old concrete plant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrpEOlph6Gv1qYZuiFKbliEmBooM_7ZyLZ9k4sxBGEP9XqRZm9Y5DxwNVOKFCNLMrGqJ9RqXxJjLWBadMNd4iglM7IxerbFr4ApVC4T4qpdmiOm1udv5PL8SSonVIpwPsNMFwhMHwtT3X/s1600/P1040951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrpEOlph6Gv1qYZuiFKbliEmBooM_7ZyLZ9k4sxBGEP9XqRZm9Y5DxwNVOKFCNLMrGqJ9RqXxJjLWBadMNd4iglM7IxerbFr4ApVC4T4qpdmiOm1udv5PL8SSonVIpwPsNMFwhMHwtT3X/s640/P1040951.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Local color.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8z_Z1WbVhiet3YuxPgrFG3hPDFnLuj6GlSwGWs5yCdhrZkz0MiHIh6cOjgRgA42AwOKK0gN6yBhHTIgK5KjOJwFwxcczWVu3C9HDFFnihWiyTFRoA904hQARDtnyWyZiU8fR7RXmEgd6/s1600/P1040961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8z_Z1WbVhiet3YuxPgrFG3hPDFnLuj6GlSwGWs5yCdhrZkz0MiHIh6cOjgRgA42AwOKK0gN6yBhHTIgK5KjOJwFwxcczWVu3C9HDFFnihWiyTFRoA904hQARDtnyWyZiU8fR7RXmEgd6/s640/P1040961.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Perfect little lakes abound for fishing</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This is certainly a trail of much beauty, every inch of the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Really? Fly-speck Billy??</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgHKjrPI1obleMRQ19DjZGC_xjbYFoBCmT6dKlVfVyg5ztwpAO3f5QFcgkUaP9EQaeuWpM5s5u6rgQki0GRoUqjF7en0CMMUsMVKOkqF3WrPO9-eDYvQlvjY0FTa4mBC9yGRbuaQE4w4P/s1600/P1040968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgHKjrPI1obleMRQ19DjZGC_xjbYFoBCmT6dKlVfVyg5ztwpAO3f5QFcgkUaP9EQaeuWpM5s5u6rgQki0GRoUqjF7en0CMMUsMVKOkqF3WrPO9-eDYvQlvjY0FTa4mBC9yGRbuaQE4w4P/s640/P1040968.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> That afternoon, I drove down to Custer where I needed to be for my registration Thursday afternoon. I wanted to ride the short Mickelson Spur trail out to Custer State Park and Stockade Lake. Two pretty good hills on this all paved trail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The Stockade at Stockade Lake. Dating from the General Custer's Seventh Cavalry days, it was nicely restored.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I was intrigued by the roof construction on these cabins, I had never seen this type of roof before. Interesting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Stockade Lake in Custer State Park</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> You could have your own private island here. This one is a bit small, however ..... but it's green! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cvIs3C2NlFdMou-zHIKjSiDo-o8emrEBhHprPzMkpThNUzqf383nFEXouWgIHaALpN-BH6lTTnAVZ92KnleCVmEMDtgUcGfyVfJvn-uONTcJ2Y3Q23WAVpQE6pZlBgkdpOsMXRSWAF-H/s1600/P1040996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cvIs3C2NlFdMou-zHIKjSiDo-o8emrEBhHprPzMkpThNUzqf383nFEXouWgIHaALpN-BH6lTTnAVZ92KnleCVmEMDtgUcGfyVfJvn-uONTcJ2Y3Q23WAVpQE6pZlBgkdpOsMXRSWAF-H/s640/P1040996.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Trail bridge in the background</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> You didn't really think you'd get by without having to see a picture of horses, now ...... did you? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsrnEPwZxwtfW8zxDbJV4J9vquCdNWPlEQRe9UbaNSyNWloZOVNwKeVcPwwmRRbJQAt9tuIQYf-vVATvB60ETmF3rBe09CvA2FNM9V-R9LvP6ZuFnUiy2fWJRqD789fH70pbdKAD8EDZq/s1600/P1050003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsrnEPwZxwtfW8zxDbJV4J9vquCdNWPlEQRe9UbaNSyNWloZOVNwKeVcPwwmRRbJQAt9tuIQYf-vVATvB60ETmF3rBe09CvA2FNM9V-R9LvP6ZuFnUiy2fWJRqD789fH70pbdKAD8EDZq/s640/P1050003.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Saw several of these along this trail, along with a couple of deer that sprang up from the trailside just as I rode by them ....exciting for a moment. It happened wayyy to fast to grab my camera. Just a short 9 mile loop including the lake shore portion which is not part of the trail, but just a graveled county road. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From here, I needed to head back into town as it was just about time to pick up my packet. I had some misgivings when I signed up for this ride because of all the car shuttling and bus riding going on. As it turned out, it was a perfect way of handling 600 bike riders, gear, and bikes. I also had some trepidation about the sheer number of riders. I didn't need to be, as I never really saw more than 50 or 60 riders all day, and usually the same ones every day. Starting times were whenever you wanted to leave, some started at 7am some later all the way up to around 10am. They were scattered all over the trail. It turned out to be a really pleasant experience. I checked in, got my packet, made sure everything I needed was in my room, and drove down to Edgemont, left my car parked on Main Street, along with the others and caught the first bus back. Got back in time to enjoy some of the hors d'oveurs and draft Fat Tire they had there. If you do this one ...... the two little red tickets they give you in your packet ..... the ones that look like they should be for a drawing ...... are for the beer and wine. Mine was back at my room. Hoofed it back (car at Edgemont, bike in room) got my tickets and rode the bike back. The lady at the beer table was so surprised I would walk all the way to my motel and ride back just for a beer, she gave me two. I found a pretty lass to share the second one with. Stood around a blazing fire and ate their treats, drank their beer and made some new friends. A fun time was had by all. It got a little late before I realized I had to ride back in the dark with no lights on the bike. Made it back, and was looking forward to tomorrow. </span>RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-38195381744674261062015-09-23T17:49:00.000-05:002015-09-23T19:43:10.509-05:00Badlands Wanderings<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">September 15, 2015</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fulfilling a dream of several years now I decided to take a big trip this year and head for the Mickelson Trail in the Black Hills of South Dakota. There was no reason not to include a couple of other side trips as well. Several years ago I first heard about The Cowboy Trail winding across northern Nebraska, and thought it would be interesting. The trail itself is almost 200 miles in length, and I didn't have time in my schedule to ride the whole thing, but I could find time to stop in Valentine and ride a small bit of it. It almost seems, though, that I may have bit off a bit more than I could chew with the 700 mile first day. It's been a long time since I've put in that many miles in one day, and I was very tired when I arrived at Valentine at 6:30pm, but still determined to ride a bit of the trail. So, even though it was 95 degrees out and the wind was at 30 gusting to 45, I decided, "What the Heck" ..... I'm going anyway. It was short .... just 9 miles total, but I can say that I've ridden on the Cowboy Trail. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> With the strong headwind and heading uphill, 8mph was all I could manage.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The big trestle from a distance. Long and high. Carried the freight across the Niobrara River, a wild, untamed and historical river through northern Nebraska. Now, it carries runners, hikers and bicycles. </span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The trail is rather pretty through here with the pines and cedars. As you can see from the tracks, the trail can get a little soft at times</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Guess who on the big bridge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Long ways down! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 4 1/2 miles out, and 4 1/2 miles back to the motel, I was ready for dinner and a shower and bed. Tomorrow it's on to the Badlands of South Dakota. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After a good night's rest I felt much better, and a two hour drive later, I arrived in Interior, South Dakota and the entrance to the Badlands National Park. Driving to the Visitor's Center to unload my bike and start up Cedar Pass to start my ride. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Starting up Cedar Pass. I was warned by Park Rangers that a lot of cyclists misjudge this pass and have a bit of trouble making it up. I kept it in the big ring and didn't have a bit of trouble. 6% to 7% with a short bit of 10% and a mile and one half total. After about three quarters of a mile it drops down to about 4% for the remainder. It's steepest at the start. This year, however, they had a new twist ....... road construction, one lane closed. The flag people and drivers of other vehicles were very patient however, and I made it through the short quarter mile lane closure at 5mph. The picture below is the start of Cedar Pass from the visitor center. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV26SJMwgrzZz8IOkybHhw7zrN-NT24LkJ1guNC57Q9Zon8kYBsiyt0pGwYVcvoC68NOeDSl4Pe5qDMiOEWUI6xfMP4KSbdkUxBOqbGLCxnhLzAbdG2cN1J84XS_5rg3J-KPCIal4R5uNP/s1600/P1040778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV26SJMwgrzZz8IOkybHhw7zrN-NT24LkJ1guNC57Q9Zon8kYBsiyt0pGwYVcvoC68NOeDSl4Pe5qDMiOEWUI6xfMP4KSbdkUxBOqbGLCxnhLzAbdG2cN1J84XS_5rg3J-KPCIal4R5uNP/s640/P1040778.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEldzvRmJG5z7ioU9UmiqC7SQX668fgLy647b6qEFxbaWZFqYxTMQrBtpG54AtTGb5qFPolY0_klNsqqqiYDv03iCbf7wLu2RCPa4VIkbtfbQhlP8fWau-row8R1TsSD1fIXK0a_SE3nMm/s1600/P1040779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEldzvRmJG5z7ioU9UmiqC7SQX668fgLy647b6qEFxbaWZFqYxTMQrBtpG54AtTGb5qFPolY0_klNsqqqiYDv03iCbf7wLu2RCPa4VIkbtfbQhlP8fWau-row8R1TsSD1fIXK0a_SE3nMm/s640/P1040779.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvrNnY-687ofJ2vMnWsARKxDgdOYO1CxhpqCf21_h50VT3VbnNxUKnQPzFv-h-eXBC6hDquj7TZVhH33Abg2KUK0BIWbUlGWqvXP2P0xyUFSCGkx9qSCe8UbgjISJ8we-WXkQo7J49PPr/s1600/P1040780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvrNnY-687ofJ2vMnWsARKxDgdOYO1CxhpqCf21_h50VT3VbnNxUKnQPzFv-h-eXBC6hDquj7TZVhH33Abg2KUK0BIWbUlGWqvXP2P0xyUFSCGkx9qSCe8UbgjISJ8we-WXkQo7J49PPr/s640/P1040780.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJiD6pdeoulLU_aJc9pfU3ER-m9Cj1WdXEtaKfikC5uZ_Nf4aapOlOWdN6Nr2yloEjpZTcct08sGYTPgaERVAlIECGFYDuo2EkrKtJg4JnROr1o0zOEftAZejnpsFxefXuSxkTB903ICf/s1600/P1040781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJiD6pdeoulLU_aJc9pfU3ER-m9Cj1WdXEtaKfikC5uZ_Nf4aapOlOWdN6Nr2yloEjpZTcct08sGYTPgaERVAlIECGFYDuo2EkrKtJg4JnROr1o0zOEftAZejnpsFxefXuSxkTB903ICf/s640/P1040781.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking <i>wayyy </i>down there, you can make out the visitor center.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8g9ZzVr9Mn3RJAoktBncCSTP20lZNUMBBiM9tMfhUFnV3s9h29tUjNztMmW8hQDPua2728FnsEmwrzdQsEXcKI0qp-TcGqVjTc3JAavJ4mAtel-5S6ntQ2twmvZEHjFPCe-d_HgwFDHQ/s1600/P1040782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8g9ZzVr9Mn3RJAoktBncCSTP20lZNUMBBiM9tMfhUFnV3s9h29tUjNztMmW8hQDPua2728FnsEmwrzdQsEXcKI0qp-TcGqVjTc3JAavJ4mAtel-5S6ntQ2twmvZEHjFPCe-d_HgwFDHQ/s640/P1040782.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Made it to the top </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgds5bRl7XW8IuNYy_fKdIBXV0JG5qZtxmw_m3z9Y9vK95og7XR5FUqdb0BlTUPJ7kHplnVBos8-dV1pI7vVkmgPtQZHQhAvTf01uEKKqBAOxuhGNLj_Y9LbQ7wjhW2XJDGTn0rf7JKtd/s1600/P1040785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgds5bRl7XW8IuNYy_fKdIBXV0JG5qZtxmw_m3z9Y9vK95og7XR5FUqdb0BlTUPJ7kHplnVBos8-dV1pI7vVkmgPtQZHQhAvTf01uEKKqBAOxuhGNLj_Y9LbQ7wjhW2XJDGTn0rf7JKtd/s640/P1040785.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Such an unusual terrain, you might be on the moon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJI1N7noaehnrK4TCuu2PWhke03tmhEXN9tXXtXetATXZ7nrXHs9p2usnO7qI0rOqpur0e0dw2RNqTK94YFZOGViNPhEWjgN_0mk10RCBF8PHa-pMyP3_WRRgV83ESpHLDIZ-UhH7TzSd/s1600/P1040786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJI1N7noaehnrK4TCuu2PWhke03tmhEXN9tXXtXetATXZ7nrXHs9p2usnO7qI0rOqpur0e0dw2RNqTK94YFZOGViNPhEWjgN_0mk10RCBF8PHa-pMyP3_WRRgV83ESpHLDIZ-UhH7TzSd/s640/P1040786.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">More climbing before my turn off onto gravel </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlblCpgWLGBKJw3tphiKsYYrV8WHkEPZz-_Riv0LxwTkhzNopYg0Ild4oqfQQTEhou_mn1M5xXeBxOgDmoUjM9qw60OmOiU6jcdiQIUJ3xEqJh7a6KJSGvkj7y1HQ7yGyPdT3ePGmHzw7/s1600/P1040789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlblCpgWLGBKJw3tphiKsYYrV8WHkEPZz-_Riv0LxwTkhzNopYg0Ild4oqfQQTEhou_mn1M5xXeBxOgDmoUjM9qw60OmOiU6jcdiQIUJ3xEqJh7a6KJSGvkj7y1HQ7yGyPdT3ePGmHzw7/s640/P1040789.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xJ7wNoAXx0_yMYCze0aZ-Krwz45a516uMiv3oz4-H0D7YPCClpq-SbqqWZzau0Wc1Azjvuxer-i9TjGMxiGha4n6rAq8-K0sL2ZF46w4MT0b1D3BLuysZTopxQGGcamTqFqsSOHylIoW/s1600/P1040791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xJ7wNoAXx0_yMYCze0aZ-Krwz45a516uMiv3oz4-H0D7YPCClpq-SbqqWZzau0Wc1Azjvuxer-i9TjGMxiGha4n6rAq8-K0sL2ZF46w4MT0b1D3BLuysZTopxQGGcamTqFqsSOHylIoW/s640/P1040791.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Wind is a'blowin'</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHlKo_BFOdit-vyUoOSEr37kdkDV2YotyomLH2zrqGXV4umZMyHQYDp9yv8zWX4N6PZsEPGq3qwZK9v0hwJ6DkRpwYnst81OlKuG8BePdO9xmTN_I1fIImLAI_ab31xw4QhdjAhNg1Yri/s1600/P1040794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHlKo_BFOdit-vyUoOSEr37kdkDV2YotyomLH2zrqGXV4umZMyHQYDp9yv8zWX4N6PZsEPGq3qwZK9v0hwJ6DkRpwYnst81OlKuG8BePdO9xmTN_I1fIImLAI_ab31xw4QhdjAhNg1Yri/s640/P1040794.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I took the "Old Northwest Road" off U.S. 240 right at the top of the pass, then proceeded north, downhill with the wind at my back, until the road made a sweeping turn to the east and back to the highway where I returned via blacktop into the wind and uphill. Hard ride back, not the best planning, but when you are vacationing, you take it as it comes. Do not forget your receipt or in my case, your Golden Age Passport or you will pay again getting back into the park on the return leg. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsJJYapq8LwBgpJSbAadWp3dI95TCvsmAIp0Q4uBalNpVCjF00Nzaj0pZFQEUb2Scgv1tnjWjBTpQKfveX3mfqKNheOiQPHL16xsyf15hdrlDtIQL-QRg_rezHHWhBGevCvueM1m3o7yt/s1600/P1040795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsJJYapq8LwBgpJSbAadWp3dI95TCvsmAIp0Q4uBalNpVCjF00Nzaj0pZFQEUb2Scgv1tnjWjBTpQKfveX3mfqKNheOiQPHL16xsyf15hdrlDtIQL-QRg_rezHHWhBGevCvueM1m3o7yt/s640/P1040795.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The gravel road at times get's a bit swoopy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39rdl656Ym4zuyU3NrH1emvD9GU_g_UxpiNelQ80Lf05p04WqFjSHLyW0R5QKVpmBgMYztsAbikxBEnV7lZEM-Xxdd3jxl1ieqTKYQ8hsDwVmVmCc8_IvSVkDmzRyIehqNVc0myQJe08i/s1600/P1040796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39rdl656Ym4zuyU3NrH1emvD9GU_g_UxpiNelQ80Lf05p04WqFjSHLyW0R5QKVpmBgMYztsAbikxBEnV7lZEM-Xxdd3jxl1ieqTKYQ8hsDwVmVmCc8_IvSVkDmzRyIehqNVc0myQJe08i/s640/P1040796.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Almost missed these two ....... but they hadn't missed me ... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZE-0m4uxsrGCX3r1rby-3qUc7ioJurUrTruJMgmbH3m4JdCQ0bzY6DJ5JyV96cOeMpjStpPAe9cKbB3P2OtXboOJ2XvMCEctFDqVRJUPgtO0g7j24pzenTxMbyOfBXLZrkVaQZ_x_WhP/s1600/P1040799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZE-0m4uxsrGCX3r1rby-3qUc7ioJurUrTruJMgmbH3m4JdCQ0bzY6DJ5JyV96cOeMpjStpPAe9cKbB3P2OtXboOJ2XvMCEctFDqVRJUPgtO0g7j24pzenTxMbyOfBXLZrkVaQZ_x_WhP/s640/P1040799.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I did bootleg a short ride in and out on a hiking trail. Not really supposed to do this, but there was no one around, so I snuck in a shorty. Mountain bikes are prohibited on hiking trails within the National Park boundary. Shhhhh ..... </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeZ1DtLUAmotMJt8tggEKY2bZApm8lgZK9qXcEF_0oGrZ0uHkYOSBMiShYahaGPJzHgYYtL4P42nOEhZH4615T1JeG3WM6xESX5tN19tpfTwxhUefZDk1srI_mE_f4dx34pr28FhRf8n_/s1600/P1040800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeZ1DtLUAmotMJt8tggEKY2bZApm8lgZK9qXcEF_0oGrZ0uHkYOSBMiShYahaGPJzHgYYtL4P42nOEhZH4615T1JeG3WM6xESX5tN19tpfTwxhUefZDk1srI_mE_f4dx34pr28FhRf8n_/s640/P1040800.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> I wouldn't want to meet up with this one while walking through the grass, I don't hear well enough to hear the rattle. This one, however is stuffed and behind glass in the Visitor Center, and is perfectly safe. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJITjkx-K4ry8n5ts6NU8sK61hyPs73jZvHqLdEpT7w2bUvYC5QLq3yyG5v-KG-6uTdIuuJh7ydeEF1R8_ZLcLx9Q49kpjeFJG9Q6TuWEZIXPz23ZLtLjJWLNQ2xDXQu67hDNN5-2iitZ/s1600/P1040807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJITjkx-K4ry8n5ts6NU8sK61hyPs73jZvHqLdEpT7w2bUvYC5QLq3yyG5v-KG-6uTdIuuJh7ydeEF1R8_ZLcLx9Q49kpjeFJG9Q6TuWEZIXPz23ZLtLjJWLNQ2xDXQu67hDNN5-2iitZ/s640/P1040807.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> My short 28 mile ride is done here and now it's down the road to Scenic, South Dakota. Below is the rip-snortin' town of Scenic, South Dakota, for sale a few years back for $799,000. Still for sale I think.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The Long Horn Saloon, the sign even tells which Indian Tribes are allowed in there. Click on the picture and it'll come full size.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47r4AlcgxwgCS-Lj6oRQEKR636gUplld2JBE26h8fpab-5vWxDT21C_HRRGC6J9P1GCwem-BR0r36V84x_Or5_n-argrnMsHY_ys9l9cyqhkvDCE9uWwgR_PV-WyqArfqP4G7rnvRUIIx/s1600/P1040809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47r4AlcgxwgCS-Lj6oRQEKR636gUplld2JBE26h8fpab-5vWxDT21C_HRRGC6J9P1GCwem-BR0r36V84x_Or5_n-argrnMsHY_ys9l9cyqhkvDCE9uWwgR_PV-WyqArfqP4G7rnvRUIIx/s640/P1040809.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Calaboose. If you look in the back, you can still see the bunk frame and springs. I think the thought of spending any length of time in there would make me a very honest boy .... </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChM44ZnyAhYLvkvZgMRLrWTsHKOuGFGyNRYpUSF7gtnQmJ3TqYk-c0lz7OUuOAJULetw8rNNGKuXeTF5Y7xEaascLaKp34Hod2ydlebF_FdUbbekbf-g7GVg_q6CFclM4zWk3oimb-NLN/s1600/P1040812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChM44ZnyAhYLvkvZgMRLrWTsHKOuGFGyNRYpUSF7gtnQmJ3TqYk-c0lz7OUuOAJULetw8rNNGKuXeTF5Y7xEaascLaKp34Hod2ydlebF_FdUbbekbf-g7GVg_q6CFclM4zWk3oimb-NLN/s640/P1040812.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The town motel ...... Maybe run by a fellow named Bates? </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aWFuTxQ4tqt_HJv_zGGumnCu0GGxNlMlBkPvnFRsNQFBHVg56iARH1roWQvvmCvMhj0dofY_SdHDi2cxDi5tSAk3reHqpQ4bao1dThEXypoU4L0eAhsUdl6uqCQEmf9DfpBwX89ERJTc/s1600/P1040814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aWFuTxQ4tqt_HJv_zGGumnCu0GGxNlMlBkPvnFRsNQFBHVg56iARH1roWQvvmCvMhj0dofY_SdHDi2cxDi5tSAk3reHqpQ4bao1dThEXypoU4L0eAhsUdl6uqCQEmf9DfpBwX89ERJTc/s640/P1040814.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Four miles south of town on the "Bombing Range Road" is "Sheep Mountain Table Road". My destination for the remainder of my Badlands Tour. Drove a few hundred yards up the road and found a pull out where I could park. Unloaded my bike and started up this ..</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wUpH_qLxOIT_TCIUs92ynNKWNPmukDHsCPXrjFrlV3HtKG1ZDbnjvVCggoWHfDtGhyVk9nDEjSJgRFWycPLEPDTnIxnnsFejHK7c6IUhfNaLYKlRw2NqnpVoRhIucrqHiEjFKSscx0Hk/s1600/P1040815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wUpH_qLxOIT_TCIUs92ynNKWNPmukDHsCPXrjFrlV3HtKG1ZDbnjvVCggoWHfDtGhyVk9nDEjSJgRFWycPLEPDTnIxnnsFejHK7c6IUhfNaLYKlRw2NqnpVoRhIucrqHiEjFKSscx0Hk/s640/P1040815.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That washboard was there all the way back seven miles, never gave it up except when it became soft sand on the top. I didn't know what I was really getting into on this one, and it became very interesting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is this the Sheep (above)? And the "table" (below)? I thought, maybe. At least I could call them that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The washboard never relented. I had 8 pounds of air pressure in the tires for the upcoming Mickelson Trail, and it was pretty rough. Uphill from the very start, it never flattened out. Yes the sky is really that blue ..... it amazed me. Oklahoma skies are almost gray by comparison.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkC9ImzCKEYKhNyK2HjbA8Zv_x5Ks_S6GeB067t7QI-Mb-A-68LuEXWfFaFP85FO-yFTCBXUowk5GOFR77F_IQ3aAkeQOuXZTi0oFW6LOd2ywBlEpV5gDqRUWd_qGp3EEh7uF7gZf3Bg_/s1600/P1040820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkC9ImzCKEYKhNyK2HjbA8Zv_x5Ks_S6GeB067t7QI-Mb-A-68LuEXWfFaFP85FO-yFTCBXUowk5GOFR77F_IQ3aAkeQOuXZTi0oFW6LOd2ywBlEpV5gDqRUWd_qGp3EEh7uF7gZf3Bg_/s640/P1040820.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> A little color along with the mud color, Goldenrod, I believe. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LlJgimP-2vBvJNz1RV6_QWPwf4tKOdz5Ht5nz-XB1dRvHDNitpw5kTxMxW_XUQk5xADAZyfbyH-e08t6FDe_W1Do5LuXjvL9-I6ECdWJ-g6Lajx7KlPj7A_XOMLteM9yeqoKf2eilWnO/s1600/P1040821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LlJgimP-2vBvJNz1RV6_QWPwf4tKOdz5Ht5nz-XB1dRvHDNitpw5kTxMxW_XUQk5xADAZyfbyH-e08t6FDe_W1Do5LuXjvL9-I6ECdWJ-g6Lajx7KlPj7A_XOMLteM9yeqoKf2eilWnO/s640/P1040821.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Up into the hills</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPO8SIfVAMDGqjIL03-AKTwVhQTNwCHm30RsMgQzyUV4Qha2mvxWgVDGvHBs7u513KnOziKbva9WCauz6LPmglzojHt9jXcEgUQEL32BOj38jf_7JjaA_OPzzXEf_t6ulUaLLpDvHWULo/s1600/P1040823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPO8SIfVAMDGqjIL03-AKTwVhQTNwCHm30RsMgQzyUV4Qha2mvxWgVDGvHBs7u513KnOziKbva9WCauz6LPmglzojHt9jXcEgUQEL32BOj38jf_7JjaA_OPzzXEf_t6ulUaLLpDvHWULo/s640/P1040823.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> This doesn't look very steep, but it would prove to be the hardest climb I had the entire trip. I have never had my Fatbike onto the small chainring, but I did on this one. A mile and one half to the top, almost all at 2mph and struggling. Very rough with many washouts, it required a slow descent coming back as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgJuSe5sGI9TPMyWSfB0eEkS9oYOkFdCLJypJ1N9wqlDxeIOW7lg3V12Jy6mRltoQnbJEtpKOwlvF3BdSwbia5SFtiI2hOQ6B0StovoxhZdUGLcGXx1NsBP8T7f3-gbEweAXOma95uUZG/s1600/P1040825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgJuSe5sGI9TPMyWSfB0eEkS9oYOkFdCLJypJ1N9wqlDxeIOW7lg3V12Jy6mRltoQnbJEtpKOwlvF3BdSwbia5SFtiI2hOQ6B0StovoxhZdUGLcGXx1NsBP8T7f3-gbEweAXOma95uUZG/s640/P1040825.JPG" width="572" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> More uphill ..... very steep, I didn't think it would ever end. This hill required several "Kodak Moments" to top. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUodaSc2jszO9IeLw3FYbLyuXZtuQNt_k2pt19LAf8PPm5DiZZMDdSXTyEMeCTSVTWjW1scDhaUcfncjffcX142WXhnAsAwlh53JESlFlWyz5v3PbQ5ne9qmVW47sZbcw-80VbPmlzD6nv/s1600/P1040826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUodaSc2jszO9IeLw3FYbLyuXZtuQNt_k2pt19LAf8PPm5DiZZMDdSXTyEMeCTSVTWjW1scDhaUcfncjffcX142WXhnAsAwlh53JESlFlWyz5v3PbQ5ne9qmVW47sZbcw-80VbPmlzD6nv/s640/P1040826.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Almost to the top and the washboard got even deeper, this is about three inches deep here. I tried to stay in the middle, but it didn't help much.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIppm46K6azOFbQ5IyJ6G5XKuN9ErxBIguoQANjMNy141Pim8iimWATsnA03-WahxQ39kKm8ffRzg0Eq1MxHf7Tdgos9PeNA0eAVc8JDNGPDG5i1ua8QyqGEWcfxtH892sKF5UKkNvglwO/s1600/P1040828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIppm46K6azOFbQ5IyJ6G5XKuN9ErxBIguoQANjMNy141Pim8iimWATsnA03-WahxQ39kKm8ffRzg0Eq1MxHf7Tdgos9PeNA0eAVc8JDNGPDG5i1ua8QyqGEWcfxtH892sKF5UKkNvglwO/s640/P1040828.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> The constant wind was my only companion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEHEBBFvfFqrhVUTU-b23anANjaKJNB9n3EJ2Yk4EGdqrXfr_wVW4fsPjhFmKNI1QhMeqjKjbECVkIxyhcRcvwogjwf136ovpoAg9Hv6V_lmzQnDYfOL-sqRw-DeTw7jbIokvG3pgP6or/s1600/P1040829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEHEBBFvfFqrhVUTU-b23anANjaKJNB9n3EJ2Yk4EGdqrXfr_wVW4fsPjhFmKNI1QhMeqjKjbECVkIxyhcRcvwogjwf136ovpoAg9Hv6V_lmzQnDYfOL-sqRw-DeTw7jbIokvG3pgP6or/s640/P1040829.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This was what it was all about. A forever view of the Badlands below. It was worth the climb after all. If you compare the size of the badlands spires to those at the beginning of my post, you will have some idea of the amount of climbing necessary to get to this vista point. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NBOAvYlXx2roxI1-7bUuKrrPkCa5eHIW6V_YbDoWlTeaw_obalnqAkkSeu9yMEHFxwiXfIEiSU7YYz9HOmW3aEiJREc4Dp8ixvDHR6USUTeGKuxveZy82l0i_DqVk9orjcWQwE7V3gzK/s1600/P1040830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NBOAvYlXx2roxI1-7bUuKrrPkCa5eHIW6V_YbDoWlTeaw_obalnqAkkSeu9yMEHFxwiXfIEiSU7YYz9HOmW3aEiJREc4Dp8ixvDHR6USUTeGKuxveZy82l0i_DqVk9orjcWQwE7V3gzK/s640/P1040830.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> A view the other way, just to my left of the above picture. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiergrU7JgesvyDTRA2Gw8z1hHHMrXKd8mAmTmE31g49Lofis31vnYctxEFagMLTTyBVFtCWI1T2C0WEsYjdFFtoXxMm5V6oMhzHzQCbN4tSWfbGgoPO83nH4MtD8uT1VgUpxxReAcHftOO/s1600/P1040831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiergrU7JgesvyDTRA2Gw8z1hHHMrXKd8mAmTmE31g49Lofis31vnYctxEFagMLTTyBVFtCWI1T2C0WEsYjdFFtoXxMm5V6oMhzHzQCbN4tSWfbGgoPO83nH4MtD8uT1VgUpxxReAcHftOO/s640/P1040831.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A little ways above this vista point was this sign, and the road deteriorating into a two track very sandy trail. It was so sandy, in fact that I could not negotiate through it with the 8 pounds of air pressure in my tires, so I stopped and let out quite a bit of air, down to around 5 pounds. It worked much better in the sand after that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gJrrglCNALbOrGfMGdZ3r6e-tun_hSy6GibRV74zdNWJ2UX3vYrQAxyfaGhCEWfgJJPXdrvnLoos6taFBaU64hDDgBQc3bsult1VAViGWJejU-odd7IDNuYn0Ee9BrePgn6Xr9C11le1/s1600/P1040832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gJrrglCNALbOrGfMGdZ3r6e-tun_hSy6GibRV74zdNWJ2UX3vYrQAxyfaGhCEWfgJJPXdrvnLoos6taFBaU64hDDgBQc3bsult1VAViGWJejU-odd7IDNuYn0Ee9BrePgn6Xr9C11le1/s640/P1040832.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> There was no cure for the switchgrass that sliced my legs, arms and face, however, and finally I just gave it up and turned around at the 7 mile point. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclZb6zQlZZ0P3Lb-O2bt5OdNkLAsVMyxRrfkLu9E0Zj4UypznMus95qfFbvYTZIWIUdDOz5tO4SwbgRfxltUq_yPK63wJthPfZ7X-0aYfIdpOatV0RnHyZ3HBTOty27tiKXl_gKLQDIpW/s1600/P1040836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclZb6zQlZZ0P3Lb-O2bt5OdNkLAsVMyxRrfkLu9E0Zj4UypznMus95qfFbvYTZIWIUdDOz5tO4SwbgRfxltUq_yPK63wJthPfZ7X-0aYfIdpOatV0RnHyZ3HBTOty27tiKXl_gKLQDIpW/s640/P1040836.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The reduction of air pressure had one benefit I didn't think about. All that washboard coming up ....... was <i>gone </i>on the way back. What took me an hour and one half to accomplish to get up here was done in 20 minutes on the way back. Except for the crawl down the big hill, it was 22-24 mph all the way back to the car, and smooth as glass. Fatties <i>RULE</i>!! This ends my little tour through the Badlands of South Dakota. I could have easily spent several days here exploring backroads, but wanted to move on into the Black Hills in the morning after a night's rest in Rapid City. </span><br />
<br />RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-63074795696941402132015-08-30T14:59:00.000-05:002015-08-30T16:12:03.407-05:00Two Station Ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">August 27, 2015:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two Station Ride:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was a doomed ride from the start! First, it was supposed to happen at 8:30am, then it was changed to 9am, then to accommodate another rider, it was changed to 9:30am. This ride was in Oklahoma City, along the old river trail, onto the new connector trail that connects the old section of the river trail with the Lake Overholser Trail, a connector that has been needed for a long time. So, I got there at about 9:15, and it is already getting hot. No one there yet, no surprise there either. Got ready to ride, and one rider shows up. Spent my time riding over to the Chesapeake Boathouse for a few pictures. This is where the canal boat Bricktown tours originate from, it also houses racing sculls for several colleges and universities. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKItEa894tK2t4wx7XMBVsIfy2_zZnTMsndp7xUE1UFd3q_HO17t3LZCy3oJTaDguzpATj1xg85AM78xCoNBOQWeJaJvpjME3pwNJk-IMly_NvcfjAtBGluOTcasmtlHfmqHQiGmZVcXFQ/s1600/P1040701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKItEa894tK2t4wx7XMBVsIfy2_zZnTMsndp7xUE1UFd3q_HO17t3LZCy3oJTaDguzpATj1xg85AM78xCoNBOQWeJaJvpjME3pwNJk-IMly_NvcfjAtBGluOTcasmtlHfmqHQiGmZVcXFQ/s640/P1040701.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The "Grey Ghost" gravel bike with the downtown Oklahoma City buildings in the background</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chesapeake Boathouse. This place has a small bike shop, rentals, scull storage, scull and kayak sales, a few bike parts, an excersize room, and most importantly, a bathroom and showers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not sure if these are rentals or for sale items, but pedal powered and kinda cute.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Train crossing the river. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Never realized how long these crew boats are until you stand next to them. So <i>long </i>and so <i>skinny! </i>One really wonders how they stay upright on the water. Polished with many coats of wax. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Finally, we were off!! Only 20 minutes later than our start time. Oh well .... we are moving. For about a mile and then our illustrious leader has a flat. It really is looking more and more like it's just not supposed to happen. Originally, we were going to ride all the way around the circumference of the city, The River Trail, The Two Lakes Trails, and surface streets from Lake Hefner across the northern part of town to connect to the Katy Trail that goes by the Zoo and Museums and then back through downtown to where we started. It's going to get late. I've been wanting to learn how to do this for a long time, just a little afraid of getting lost on a bike and getting off on roads I shouldn't be on. But never fear ..... Fearless Leader will get us through, he knows his way around here. Wait .... <i>what</i>? Fearless leader says he has to get the group (there are five of us) back by 1pm, so we are only going as far as Lake Overholser and returning the same route. Aw, come ON ..... I've tried to do this one twice before with him and never completed it yet. Well, I'm going! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Our group starting out, flat fixed and boogiein' Finally, by this time it was almost 10:30 and now they tell me they have to be back by 1pm. Not going to ride 50 miles in three hours. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kent and Connie just a-gettin' it around the corner on the tandem. They also have a mountain tandem they have ridden the Katy Trail in Missouri and the Mickelson Trail in South Dakota with. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A dicey road interlude to connect the trails. Heavily traveled in an industrial area, nevertheless, everyone gave us plenty of room. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love these old railroad bridges, this one over the new section of trail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A view off to the west of the trail</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A convenient Egret</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The old Route 66 Bridge on the north side of Lake Overholser. It was here we all said goodbye. They are all going back, but I was determined to go on. One way or another, I <i>will </i>learn my way around here. All of this part I know, as I've been around both lakes before. So, with mixed feelings, and a bit of trepidation, we parted company, and I started off on my own adventure. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The connector between Lake Overholser and Lake Hefner is some trail and some surface streets, but not difficult. Soon I was at the Lake Hefner marina, golf course, and parks. Not difficult, and a very pretty ride. It is ...... if you have all your geese in a row that is. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another photogenic Egret</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lake Hefner Marina. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I tried to follow my fellow rider's directions only to miss a turn and get lost and off on a very busy thoroughfare with no shoulders and impatient drivers. I went off course about 2 1/2 miles before realizing I should turn around. I did, however stop at a 7/11 for a bite to eat.... this one had fresh cut fruit, a delight. The gas price is a sign of the times, and while certainly not going to be anything permanent, a welcome relief for drivers. It has caused many, many job layoffs in this oil dependent State, however. Getting back to where I made my wrong turn, I decided to head on a couple blocks more and stop at the fire station I had passed earlier. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My water bottles were getting hot and empty by this time, so I headed over to the fire station at the base of the lake. I LOVE fire stations!! Most will let traveling cyclists camp on their grounds, all will fill your water bottles and let you cool off a bit, and they are always willing to show off their equipment, and give you a little tour. This one was no exception, a very nice congenial bunch of people, these fire fighters. So, I left there with two full, well iced bottles and feeling better with some new directions and maybe a better route than the original one I got from my riding friend who abandoned me. This new route took me through mostly upscale residential neighborhoods with small roads and little traffic, a few minor hills, and soon I found myself out in the country again and right at the turns I needed to be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> VERY bike friendly roads, in fact. Lightly traveled, and bike signed .....and easily understood ...... well .... mostly ....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finding the Katy, right where the fireman said it would be, it took me past the Oklahoma City Zoo, and the Museums, including the Firefighters Museum. I stopped for a couple of pictures and decided that due to the late hour and not wanting to traverse downtown at rush hour, which I had to do to get back to my car, I didn't go in, but saved this for another trip. I'll be back. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">His and hers doggie hydrants ..... how cute! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I remember when I was a kid I was so impressed with the tail rider on a hook and ladder unit and how I would love to drive that end of the unit. Never did, but still think it'd be fun. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Restored Katy switcher in new clothes. This was at the Railroad Museum, another place I'm going to come back to when I have more time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From restored engine, to this! Loved the vines growing up the side. It's Oklahoma ..... vines grow up anything given enough time, and from the looks of it, there has been plenty of time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It would be a long wait for any train on this track. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the several bridges on the Katy Trail</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another bridge over a pretty little creek.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The old Jewel Theater, just off the main part of town and at the edge of Bricktown. I'm confident it will be restored someday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Both bottles empty, I found another convenient fire station. This one also was happy to fill my bottles and let me cool off a bit. It was now 94 degrees, full sun, little breeze, and high humidity. The real feel temperature was 101. I was <i>way </i>overheated and a bit crampy. They had this wonderfully restored 1910 fire truck, and when I asked if I could look at it, they all about fell over one another to be the first one to show it to me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't help but compare it to a bicycle. Two pedals ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chain Drive</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And a bell to ring to let people know you are coming by.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And two headlights if you get caught out after dark. These were carbide headlamps, nicely restored units of a type you just don't see anymore. All in all, this was one of my better stops. I left feeling happy, cooler, and iced and refilled bottles. I still managed to make it through downtown before rush hour and back to the car where I loaded the bike, changed clothes, turn the air up to 4 and headed home. A good ride, although a bit frustrating at times, but the nicest people I met along the way got me through and back to my car safely and looking to come back. I don't very often do the big city stuff, but this was a nice ride, and I <i>will </i>get back to the museums another time. Oh ...And .... Three Cheers for the Firefighters! Two Stations got me through a hot, hot ride and gave me good directions as well. </span><br />
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<br />RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-14791682628629520572015-06-30T10:32:00.000-05:002015-07-03T01:15:55.519-05:00Frisco Highline Trail<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">June 28, 2015:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Frisco Highline Trail;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It has been a while, too long, in fact since I have worked on a blog post, so, even though it is overdue, here is a new one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As far as bucket lists go, mine has never been overly full, but I have added to it as time went on as well as dipping in and checking items off. The Katy Trail and Prairie Spirit Trail were on my list for years, and I've done those each at least twice now, but this one has also been there for a number of years, and yet has remained elusive. I found out about it several years ago and decided that seeing as how it was fairly close to me, it was one I wanted to ride. This year has been a difficult and challenging year for me health wise, but it all seems to be behind me for now. I suspect as time goes on from here, these health issues will keep on popping up from time to time and probably a bit more frequently as time edges forward. I've vowed that I'll not let them keep me down, however, and they are going to have to drag me to the grave kicking and screaming! So, while I missed the Katy Trail this year, as well as missing all my friends that ride that trail ride every year, I thought it might be a good year to get to some of the rides I've had down in the ol' bucket for a long time. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Frisco Railroad had big plans and bigger goals, but in the end a number of factors drug them down and they finally ended up being bought out by the Burlington Northern. Many of the Frisco rights of way were duplicated by the Burlington, so they abandoned and railbanked those they had little use for. The Frisco, whose actual company name was "The St Louis and San Francisco Railroad Company", did make it to St Louis, but the closest it ever got to San Francisco was to Frisco, Texas ...... close enough for a name. The unusual shield for the Frisco emblem was inspired by a two dollar coon skin bought by the line's president, and turned horizontally. Whatever works. The Frisco spent huge amounts on crack passenger trains and fast and powerful locomotives, and that was probably one of the factors that lead to their eventual downfall, when passenger service declined in the 50's. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, this year, I drove up to Bolivar, Missouri, with Fatbike on the rack to have a go at the Frisco Highline Trail. The Highline name came from the Highline bridge, the longest on the trail at 317 feet. It is an impressive structure, an old fashioned wooden trestle stretching out for a long ways.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWit8SFwodMWbaaSc2sQfM6xk8QNZm3JIfedQSzrp2N4HBkvXHZxn-blJ9sLYIqPO3Iq7yY0L3k6HK1MyMUgyFIeRDBwNS5GY33a2P8YY0Ocdb97wmxWMy69QJQk8Hg_s0PLrwdEEpqLbr/s1600/P1040546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWit8SFwodMWbaaSc2sQfM6xk8QNZm3JIfedQSzrp2N4HBkvXHZxn-blJ9sLYIqPO3Iq7yY0L3k6HK1MyMUgyFIeRDBwNS5GY33a2P8YY0Ocdb97wmxWMy69QJQk8Hg_s0PLrwdEEpqLbr/s640/P1040546.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Trees and undergrowth prevented me from obtaining a good picture of the bridge from the nearby road, but it is a very attractive old wooden trestle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWCVKS-bRRyMHFjcQGb4poEIzZRezGMd44xlxZeFswM-5vnd8eud-1YhngemQiCNGdBaTLfnTmtJWCeqMUCQ3wJmmq4wGwHZEwhaYKBAMHGveM0MABmlzY4GmdN2csHhkj1MHtBShgksw/s1600/P1040547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWCVKS-bRRyMHFjcQGb4poEIzZRezGMd44xlxZeFswM-5vnd8eud-1YhngemQiCNGdBaTLfnTmtJWCeqMUCQ3wJmmq4wGwHZEwhaYKBAMHGveM0MABmlzY4GmdN2csHhkj1MHtBShgksw/s640/P1040547.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Safety rails were added to the side when it was made into a bicycle trail for obvious safety reasons. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMNg1ezZRiXY3Y1cBnqD9VIHszAGN7V3ab8TJtq4XW6NZN7E39GNdUYrR5pFXq3GxGp5xcXyIiycHU7pCWua6T1vlrZ7kEVE3GiiJuYDNFh7I__KwPiz_nCVhu-8jVzRWAF-D_eLAe61v/s1600/P1040548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMNg1ezZRiXY3Y1cBnqD9VIHszAGN7V3ab8TJtq4XW6NZN7E39GNdUYrR5pFXq3GxGp5xcXyIiycHU7pCWua6T1vlrZ7kEVE3GiiJuYDNFh7I__KwPiz_nCVhu-8jVzRWAF-D_eLAe61v/s640/P1040548.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Certainly an impressive span of bridge, all of it covered with an old-timey wooden floor. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before I get too far ahead, I had arrived in Bolivar, deciding to do the trail from the hotel there on the outskirts of town which was more convenient than the downtown trailhead. So, at a little after 8am, I left heading down the local roads to the trail start on the south side of busy Missouri highway 13. The trail crosses the highway, but the directions have you take a short detour around on paved roads to the re-start on the south side of highway 13. That short detour went right past my hotel. So, the first thing I saw, was a group of four local cyclists out on a morning ride. I fell in with them and we rode and chatted until the paved portion of the trail ended, at which point they turned around and went back. A very pleasant start to my ride. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The trail is paved for about three miles south of town, and then becomes gravel and crushed limestone. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dK356UHHpaxiaCAZLujY_pL8sB47L6aj4hpEnhYjgc4KTWlGeORkezyLVnXiKoWfDw2iJFv2dqqEEzeiA4XqgKEZTyoRz1h3MSRdiO8NCa0_lnUDcxwV08RmRyL_56eIhyphenhyphenP9ueEHXHjr/s1600/P1040529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dK356UHHpaxiaCAZLujY_pL8sB47L6aj4hpEnhYjgc4KTWlGeORkezyLVnXiKoWfDw2iJFv2dqqEEzeiA4XqgKEZTyoRz1h3MSRdiO8NCa0_lnUDcxwV08RmRyL_56eIhyphenhyphenP9ueEHXHjr/s640/P1040529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Unlike the superhighway of railtrails, this one is quite primitive most of the way, but it is maintained. Unlike the Prairie Spirit trail in Kansas, this one is very well used. I think I saw about 30 cyclists throughout the day. Right at the end of the pavement is La Petite Gemme Prairie, a 160 acre block of pristine untouched native prairie, much like the early settlers may have seen. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAmf-zxAqeXT1XkxXmkpAbPMeVv5o8A6Sd5O_5Szeqb57q_yPC2QMg7W6wwY8IvliaADn7b-KLh450OpRk4AtoN82et5dyKa2ayCCjla-x3CwziRXKqg2X2It1hX34UryifrAylutvh5Y/s1600/P1040592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAmf-zxAqeXT1XkxXmkpAbPMeVv5o8A6Sd5O_5Szeqb57q_yPC2QMg7W6wwY8IvliaADn7b-KLh450OpRk4AtoN82et5dyKa2ayCCjla-x3CwziRXKqg2X2It1hX34UryifrAylutvh5Y/s640/P1040592.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">La Petite Prairie</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmqju4nA01sTJrxRD_ZgIli3AfmUb2KWisOluimyp1tiO0thqAGxbdpKQZEaXPfvq39syNOzy64K74Gx1M13vkS36hpjRyZjIn0MzSfvkupgOmT-oCB3K99rwIg_Yn-4IyTa7A3u9ba10/s1600/P1040593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmqju4nA01sTJrxRD_ZgIli3AfmUb2KWisOluimyp1tiO0thqAGxbdpKQZEaXPfvq39syNOzy64K74Gx1M13vkS36hpjRyZjIn0MzSfvkupgOmT-oCB3K99rwIg_Yn-4IyTa7A3u9ba10/s640/P1040593.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The "petite" prairie is also overtaking "La Petite Benche" ..... </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAyePn0GrhPgaeoJEF5rjVVQO0FMshzCyoccO1bGBT4-OBBR8pbeRPDQq2F5Z3UuG0VzHOBFxgZ57pFQwqOmf5ua3uTGf7c-qO53nwjdJohi1QkVULIkAL6RUPuLQwWB2GreFXWKnwHfT/s1600/P1040594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAyePn0GrhPgaeoJEF5rjVVQO0FMshzCyoccO1bGBT4-OBBR8pbeRPDQq2F5Z3UuG0VzHOBFxgZ57pFQwqOmf5ua3uTGf7c-qO53nwjdJohi1QkVULIkAL6RUPuLQwWB2GreFXWKnwHfT/s640/P1040594.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> As I went on from there, the "adventure" theme of this ride became more and more apparent.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio02_rzQV1MbZ1mcZZ_vB2OPGtCy60xMcJGQRhflbFDDHfQmFNgWQ3JQTEwO5kqvKHVqwojlfEIYbOUuJ0x4ZQG0LQU9cNb06VqM3j0ZYOF0woqwRE5FSvOCP58QaKJb4RSotNXx5ZvTT-/s1600/P1040530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio02_rzQV1MbZ1mcZZ_vB2OPGtCy60xMcJGQRhflbFDDHfQmFNgWQ3JQTEwO5kqvKHVqwojlfEIYbOUuJ0x4ZQG0LQU9cNb06VqM3j0ZYOF0woqwRE5FSvOCP58QaKJb4RSotNXx5ZvTT-/s640/P1040530.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At times becoming only a "singletrack". </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrY0JOk1pgQqVarBYcidyYsmdfq9UAEEK_5XS1E6ez5aOuHaMjxYZqtrtUuCd7m_5PGVU6Z4jiaK14k1vtE0EmaXMuaaInfZAJRQZf12Xba4YeslKBnjTOcXkA2Y81vI8par1ERlG8lep/s1600/P1040552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrY0JOk1pgQqVarBYcidyYsmdfq9UAEEK_5XS1E6ez5aOuHaMjxYZqtrtUuCd7m_5PGVU6Z4jiaK14k1vtE0EmaXMuaaInfZAJRQZf12Xba4YeslKBnjTOcXkA2Y81vI8par1ERlG8lep/s640/P1040552.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Not to be neglected, some old barns as well. Love me some old barns, always! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxRhwcMk8Ze5LTAmJhzESnNkyMrGQQrTmwsBrhZ752TpUvdcBlwBw_XeXEzvbfhAEAZOhz14522vAyHKE0pjnRic3oVDBCH-vkJYap4zJ6irhD2GLmLdfX4DAkDJIzs1l3HhFMKoKm5Qf/s1600/P1040545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxRhwcMk8Ze5LTAmJhzESnNkyMrGQQrTmwsBrhZ752TpUvdcBlwBw_XeXEzvbfhAEAZOhz14522vAyHKE0pjnRic3oVDBCH-vkJYap4zJ6irhD2GLmLdfX4DAkDJIzs1l3HhFMKoKm5Qf/s640/P1040545.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As is apparent, the trail is indeed a trail, in the strictest sense of the word. It would traverse from good to primitive and back to good as I traveled it. Some would be put off by the primitive nature of this trail, but to me, it epitomizes the uniqueness of the trail and made the ride much more exciting and adventurous. I did, from time to time take side gravel roads to get a better look at some of the sixteen bridges this trail goes over. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWC1ljbc0cG0v65iSWLWQa9kcdrhBKPDP3ZT-_G4YnaorjwgZIxRi9NIH_klZMzA1Sve0-3TErRJUBEWXsQQwSI_1Pa2mQoTaqMwGKdqexi0MDhufsA6h6sHY9qnMiDs5QqGQu7KUcCsjd/s1600/P1040538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWC1ljbc0cG0v65iSWLWQa9kcdrhBKPDP3ZT-_G4YnaorjwgZIxRi9NIH_klZMzA1Sve0-3TErRJUBEWXsQQwSI_1Pa2mQoTaqMwGKdqexi0MDhufsA6h6sHY9qnMiDs5QqGQu7KUcCsjd/s640/P1040538.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back on the trail again, time for a "selfie". While I didn't really <i>need </i>a Fatbike for this trail, I had it, I enjoy riding it, and there were a few times I was glad I had it along. Most of the other riders I saw had mountain bikes with a scattering of "cross bikes". Many of the other riders stopped me to ask about my bike. Fatbikes are conversation starters! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After I passed the small community of Wishart, MO, I traveled on to what I consider the most photogenic of all the bridges, the masonry bridge over the Little Sac River. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtALNaNSenEEnOGKGs2FrHTnfw9Ye0DGMGvIXUYgfhSGlCCTogU7bb77lJPc2K7UuRz00iLWbAtY4_dtCvCJWBX5VbWyM8wdvWkvN6w-XnL9xVcHRhBYe0TG0H5E1RKPx8_BKKyq3GQFPW/s1600/P1040557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtALNaNSenEEnOGKGs2FrHTnfw9Ye0DGMGvIXUYgfhSGlCCTogU7bb77lJPc2K7UuRz00iLWbAtY4_dtCvCJWBX5VbWyM8wdvWkvN6w-XnL9xVcHRhBYe0TG0H5E1RKPx8_BKKyq3GQFPW/s640/P1040557.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am still recovering from the many insect bites and stings I received from getting this particular photo. It was "harvest" time for the insect crowd, and I was the main crop. Still, all in all, it was such a pretty setting. The view of the river from the bridge was nice too. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpOxn_MngMRTgmxCFTOkhubYbAEwH8jMnS6MHiRlHaZi2JFMNrC5DVcWp43vlgtKqAmr1dG8J9xT9oQIC0hN-j_eBKvzPYnwccPRlFwCErsCNFmDxN1hVVwoYQZGSBpyJWIh2c8pGSGvZ/s1600/P1040559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpOxn_MngMRTgmxCFTOkhubYbAEwH8jMnS6MHiRlHaZi2JFMNrC5DVcWp43vlgtKqAmr1dG8J9xT9oQIC0hN-j_eBKvzPYnwccPRlFwCErsCNFmDxN1hVVwoYQZGSBpyJWIh2c8pGSGvZ/s640/P1040559.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The sign over the bridge reminding me that it is still 22 miles to Springfield. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNFcc8aj8-C7qakR2RViEFk5sH5RpevCtCu7bfUNv4ERLjT4fcojkzCOxLipa8gfze5UzoD0naWckIcYWmx1pPWfSpZGxb46BqBC4BXfovauvcOV5AFxapZZKbXv6K2aH2Z21u4_nsqu6/s1600/P1040560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNFcc8aj8-C7qakR2RViEFk5sH5RpevCtCu7bfUNv4ERLjT4fcojkzCOxLipa8gfze5UzoD0naWckIcYWmx1pPWfSpZGxb46BqBC4BXfovauvcOV5AFxapZZKbXv6K2aH2Z21u4_nsqu6/s640/P1040560.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The trail runs between Bolivar, MO, and Springfield, MO for a total of 35 miles. There are paved sections at each end. Paved for three miles south of Bolivar, and 7 miles between Springfield and Willard. Pressing on, there were many distractions along the way, some of which were the many wildflowers along the trail. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All of these flowers were in bloom along the entire length of the trail, making it a very colorful ride. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Another side trip I made was into the small town of Walnut Grove, Missouri, along State route BB, which is also a section of Adventure Cycling's Trans-America Bicycle Route. Walnut Grove is a small community and while not prosperous, it is very unique in it's old-timey charm. People were friendly, and obviously used to seeing bicyclists. The ride from the trail to downtown was about one mile each way. They had informative signs all along the trail.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrd3i0evtP88B3lWqy_5i1HXZpDkiUqHLNXP7t7NabMPBsfFriiZ4J8-8qwhj5fqIjy0RFFZ3U4n4J9qiXjBDgIf1ltknOxgq4robWzfYFOroXbuRGLA-4bZztfgVdUcmzv3DV8D_fVi4y/s1600/P1040580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrd3i0evtP88B3lWqy_5i1HXZpDkiUqHLNXP7t7NabMPBsfFriiZ4J8-8qwhj5fqIjy0RFFZ3U4n4J9qiXjBDgIf1ltknOxgq4robWzfYFOroXbuRGLA-4bZztfgVdUcmzv3DV8D_fVi4y/s640/P1040580.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most of the old business district was closed and in disrepair. </span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZl2lQAbRS5sdLbh-TwiFqtOF3sJWwOha2a-BYgG3ppB5QqxQO-NDtcHdiM4EbHCVQEHM3aiLdDpS6aYlr1T9lsusBIZJLKoyCTkTntYl5XdsahN10X_GGQGnumPfISfjhCLmNEN2yVNW/s1600/P1040577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZl2lQAbRS5sdLbh-TwiFqtOF3sJWwOha2a-BYgG3ppB5QqxQO-NDtcHdiM4EbHCVQEHM3aiLdDpS6aYlr1T9lsusBIZJLKoyCTkTntYl5XdsahN10X_GGQGnumPfISfjhCLmNEN2yVNW/s640/P1040577.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Probably more fleas than market</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Taste Of Country Cafe, seems more of a taste of history instead. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The old mill was one of my favorite structures in town. Off the beaten path, I knew it was there and went looking for it. </span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Leaving town, I discovered a bit of coincidence. For any who have read the "Little House" books or saw the T.V. series, you would remember the Olsen's and their store. If you look on the mailbox at the name, it may not be spelled quite the same, but is quite a surprise anyway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So ...... ride back to the trail on BB, and head south again planning on eating in Willard. The trail followed along this stream for miles, the water was fairly fast and clear as glass. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAPb9kmok2RX4IAvyD7y1sQG-TH31fxrD1auLl0RiVC-9wFoCrucj1UvuecSfFlhTnkCPlPFkHKTG0KYKcFuUTWQfsFY8Ij2WnAIGd1piFQemcYC9OjVvZbN2evXWbjTRLi0jx0Lj1VIB/s1600/P1040565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAPb9kmok2RX4IAvyD7y1sQG-TH31fxrD1auLl0RiVC-9wFoCrucj1UvuecSfFlhTnkCPlPFkHKTG0KYKcFuUTWQfsFY8Ij2WnAIGd1piFQemcYC9OjVvZbN2evXWbjTRLi0jx0Lj1VIB/s640/P1040565.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In this area had been recent new gravel laid down as well as some storm damage to traverse. The fat tires ate up this loose rock like it was pavement. From the looks of the skinny tire tracks that went all over, and the footprints, the riders of lesser bikes had a bit of difficulty with this section. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The few washouts were not something you wanted to take lightly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The rest of the time it was idyllic two track tree lined trail like this, however. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally making it down to Willard, I went a bit too far into downtown, and finding only fast food, I asked around and the locals sent me back a mile or so to a small cafe at a gas station. It was just to the west of the trail at the very beginning of the southern paved section. Probably had the best food in this part of Missouri. Cute waitresses and great food, and ice cold drinks ....... what more could a starving cyclist ask for? I decided at this point it was really time to turn around. I had been up since 3am, drove 4 1/2 hours to get here, ridden for 4 hours (sidetrips, picture taking, and touristing included) and was beginning to feel the effects. The big lunch made me sleepy. Turning around, and heading back over the same route, I only stopped at the inviting little clear stream for a second and happened upon Bigfoot, skinny-dipping ...... Of course, like all pictures of Bigfoot, this one is not the best quality ......</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28WuM-oTkxFe3RzHX2ciVxbn0fMs2PQZuSXJ2qEARkymbLGZSAmk2aATSmKJKXn7TpwpsmH9pHe3bIjWHOkfLD2StJ8MK9SBonDgdvlkPOrcy4TE0shzYW-e8kuBprOhu3y9NrI4if80l/s1600/P1040587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28WuM-oTkxFe3RzHX2ciVxbn0fMs2PQZuSXJ2qEARkymbLGZSAmk2aATSmKJKXn7TpwpsmH9pHe3bIjWHOkfLD2StJ8MK9SBonDgdvlkPOrcy4TE0shzYW-e8kuBprOhu3y9NrI4if80l/s640/P1040587.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then I ran across Young Parnelli Jones out practicing ... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He was on a local farm road and <i>not </i>on the trail. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I stopped at the Wishart trailhead for a much needed break. It was getting hot by now, and while I had both bottles filled at the cafe in Willard, they were getting down at this point. Water is not available everywhere along the trail, and I probably should have gone into Walnut Grove on the way back as well to refill. there is a small gas station and convenience store downtown. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I finished up with empty bottles, emptied right at the end of the ride, hot, tired, hungry and thirsty. Went in to my room, (the air was on and cold) stripped down, took stock of my many insect bites, removed two ticks that luckily had <i>not </i>bitten yet, and took a long cool shower. Then, changed clothes had headed into town for a cold beer and a good Mexican dinner. The Mexican restaurant was not of the same caliber as the ones at Santa Fe, but Sunday evening, they roll up the streets, and beggar's can't be too choosy. The food was good, the beer cold, and all was well. End of the ride.......</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">60 Fatbike miles traveled, two good meals eaten, two beers consumed, 9 insect bites itching, and a relaxing evening in a cold room watching Jurassic Park 3 ...... Might as well call it a day. </span>RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-55012583732013033982015-03-15T11:47:00.000-05:002019-12-01T15:48:18.124-06:00Success/Failure<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">March 14, 2015</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To start with, the title invokes a defeatist attitude with self pity involved. I think if you read on past the title, you will discover that isn't true, and not the intended purpose of this entire blog, which is to show my readers that anything is possible if you just try. This day began several months ago when I registered for a bike race that I knew would be a tough one. During the winter months, the serious racers got out and trained in sub-freezing temperatures and harsh conditions in order to condition themselves to what lay ahead. This writer did <i>not</i></span>. <span style="font-size: large;">While it is true, I got out and rode, and even rode in some adverse weather conditions, I did not actually <i>train </i>to improve my physical conditioning. Mostly, I did not train to improve my mental conditioning. I just rode my bike. So, while the background is now behind us, let me bring you up to date. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">March 13th, the day before the big race ..... it rained all day. I knew the country roads would be not in very good shape for driving, let alone riding, and the roads up in the Stillwater, Oklahoma area are much more primitive than ours down here. The race purposely chooses the more primitive roads to add a challenge to the race, to separate the haves from the have nots. </span><span style="font-size: large;">This year, with the help of the rain before the race, the race organizers certainly outdid themselves. The race organizers had no control over the weather, and did a bang-up job of providing and seeing to our safety and needs while we were out there on the course. I had a choice to make ...... should I go on and try, or stay home, warm and dry. I decided to go. Which brings us up to the day of the race. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">First, a couple of definitions in order to better define the purpose of my title to this post. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1...... Success: The accomplishment of ones stated goals.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2...... Failure: Proving unsuccessful, not achieving ones goals.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3...... Defeat: To eliminate or deprive of something expected. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All of these came into play in the race today, and affected the outcome for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Starting out, there was a large number of riders, although it didn't appear to me to be anywhere near the original registration number of some 580 riders. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is the start:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bike still pretty and clean after just unloading. See the little white plastic piece under my downtube? That proved to be a real lifesaver, keeping me and my water bottles much cleaner. Called a "Crud Catcher", it's an $8.00 item that was worth it's weight in gold on this ride. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From behind: To the lady in the middle of the picture. ..... I'm sorry, I really didn't realize you had to go ...... </span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the front:</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the loud gun (I mean <i>really</i></span> <span style="font-size: large;">loud, I jumped!) we were off. The first few miles were paved, and then normal gravel country roads after a rain. A bit muddy in spots, but easily rideable even rather quickly. I chose the Fatbike for this ride for a couple of reasons .... 1: I wanted to add a bit to the challenge (little did I know) and 2: it is very comfortable, it climbs much better than I ever thought it would, is much more stable on downhills, and I felt that I could do the intended mileage without too much difficulty. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please excuse the image quality of a couple of the photos as I was riding at the time and the road was rough in spots shaking the camera and I around a bit. These are typical Oklahoma country roads, considered to be "all weather roads" and as you can see, quite passable in most conditions. These nice roads continued until mile 10 into the ride, then things got more and more interesting. I was proud of the big ol' Fatbike, I was able to keep on pedaling even when most of the others had resorted to walking. Then I saw my first broken derailleur hanger and the gentleman was pulling his bike off to the side .... done for the day, then a second, then a broken chain ....... then I got off and walked also. I did not have a spare derailleur hanger with me, and really did not want to break the one that was on the bike. At the time, I was still moving, albeit very slowly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I rode right on down to the portage, then continued riding up the little hill in the background. It was near the top of that hill where I started noticing riders out with mechanicals. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After that, it was one portage, and one muddy hill after another for three miles. This wasn't just mud ...... think red peanut butter, sticky, gooey, slimy. Walking was a chore, one two foot stride forward, then slide a foot and one half back on ever step. Slide down the slope of the portages sideways. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the portages, as you can see, we were well above the road and had to lift our bikes down off the ledges until we got back to the road again. The push some more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here you can see the young lady bringing her bike off the top of the bank. down one level.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At this point, I was still smiling, laughing and joking to the other riders, poking fun at adversity, and still had my spirits up. It got worse. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Did I mention it was a sticky, gooey peanut butter type mud ..... well, this is my back wheel after cleaning it all off, then five feet further and it looked like this again. Not rolling, sliding. The bike gained at least ten pounds. Push, slide, lift over portages up on the ditch banks, clean, slide, push, lift. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The front tire, you really couldn't tell where the road ended and the tire started. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> After two miles of this, my spirits were still good, laughing about it, joking, teasing, and just carrying on. I felt surely it couldn't last forever. Then I topped another hill, only to see, stretched out ahead of me, another mile of muddy goo, and riders pushing their bikes down the hill, across the valley floor, and back up the other side. This was where I was defeated. I allowed my mind to be overcome by the adversity, instead of mind over matter, the conditions were instead controlling my mind. I gave in to the pain, and the weariness that I was feeling in my body. My muscles hurt, seemingly every one of them, my head hurt, I felt like I couldn't push that heavy (and getting heavier) bike another foot. Right there, I defeated myself. The people that went on to finish this race were the ones that kept right on going with the same can-do attitude that they had at the beginning. I went on, but only out of stubbornness and determination rather than a carefree attitude. No more laughing, joking and grinning, just push, lift, slide, clean, and push some more. Finally, over the next hill, things did indeed improve, and finally I was able to ride for a bit. During all this mud, I must have seen at least 20 riders with mechanical issues, knocking them out of the race. Finally, a chance to ride, then walk and push, then ride a bit more, then finally to the crossroads. This brings me to the title. To the left was the marked route, the completion of the route would have marked success. To the right, was the shorter way back to town, still not easy, but shorter, and failure. Both success and failure are a choice, and at that moment, I chose to fail, and went to the right. To go to the left went south, and more of the same mud. The further south we went, the worse it got. The way I went, wasn't easy, still muddy, many hills, but ride-able. The stalwart, tough, strong willed people went left and finished, I went right and back to town. I was very exhausted at this crossroads and honestly didn't think I could go on to finish. However, I got back on the bike and rode 13 miles back to town, still on mud and through the hills. So ...... I obviously wasn't as exhausted as I thought, it was all in my mind. I allowed the conditions take control, instead of my mind staying in control. At the time, I felt ashamed of my decision, and later rationalized it by saying, well ......"I <i>did </i>ride thirty miles and finished under my own motive power" ...... and another .... "I could have chosen not to start, but I did, and rode what I could" .... The truth is, though, I gave up, caved, I was finished mentally. This is not the sign of a true athlete, who takes advantage of adversity to gain on his (her) opponents. Speaking of her ...... there were both males and females in this race who finished ..... I can at least say I am proud to have been able to ride along with them for a bit, and laugh and joke with them. They, however, kept their smiling faces until the end. I did not. It all goes back to "rule number five" ...... toughen up!! Shame on me, I should have had that in my mind. All this, however was before I realized that the route to the south was just a big loop and brought us back onto the same road we had just pushed through. That knowledge would have completely done me in. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Is there a moral here ...... you bet!! I realized that if I am going to do this sort of thing, I need to toughen up, train harder, train my mind to accept adversity and pain and keep going, keep smiling, and keep thinking it's fun! That top of the hill at mile two was where it quit being fun for me, and influenced my decision at the crossroads. Do I consider myself a failure ....... not at all. I came, I tried, I did what I could. I did, indeed finish under my own power, and did at least do thirty tough miles. I was out there with everyone else doing the same thing, and while 20% of the riders went on to finish, 80% failed to do so, like me. So I was in good company. I need to work a bit harder if I want to continue doing this. Although, I also felt, that I really need make a decision to either leave the racing to those people who are better suited for it, or work harder on my training if I want to continue. Mostly, I need to work on my mentality a lot, even for general riding ....... Keep Laughing, Keep Smiling, Have Fun In The Face Of Anything That Comes Along! If you can do that ..... nothing can truly defeat you! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the end pictures :</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bike not looking like it did at the start </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nice tee</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">No, I'm not showing you the rest of me, but consider that this was the highest part of me, you can imagine what the rest looked like.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The riders who finished this tough, grueling route have my utmost respect and admiration. Life is a journey and not every day will be successful, some will be failures, but as long as we get up the next morning willing to try again, we, personally are a success. So, we take the good days with the failed days, and make the most of them, and if we can do that, we will always be a success. My day failed to achieve what I wanted, but I succeeded because I tried, and pushed through one of the most grueling days I can remember, and tomorrow, maybe my day will succeed as well. </span>
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<br />RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-74929493546057442872015-01-20T11:00:00.000-06:002015-01-20T11:00:55.469-06:00A Fatbike Adventure<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1/18/15</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been trying to get over a nasty chest cold/bronchitis/flu now for several weeks, so I felt an easier day might be better. I picked out a route that I had not traveled yet, just to see where the roads go. It was fairly local and should yield a route of around 25 miles or so. What is that old saying about the best laid plans of mice or men? It really didn't work out like that at all ..... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">First off, planning my route ahead of time I saw that I could take one road all the way to the tee, and turn left. I like doing that as I don't have to remember stuff so much. Just go to the tee and turn .... hey, easy always works for me. So, I did just that, and the road I went north on, I had never traveled either, so it was all a new experience, and a new adventure. North I went, and got to the tee like expected, and turned left only to go about a quarter of a mile to find <i>this </i></span>.........<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Possibly the locked gate and the deteriorating road might lead me to believe that <i>this </i>ride may not be so normal after all. Sure enough, another half mile, almost within sight of the next road I came across <i>this </i>......... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Right up at the top of the hill in the background is where the next road crosses. Ah, me ....... so close, yet soooo far! I had a fleeting thought about hanging onto the bike with one hand, and the bridge top rail with the other and walking across sideways ...... sanity prevailed, however, and I decided to backtrack and choose another road. The gully you see under the bridge is about twenty-five feet deep anyway, not some place I wanted to be if something went wrong. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, another road ....... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This one ended at an old pickup truck with a couple guys in it. Also a barricade, although this one, I could just step over. So, as long as they were just sitting there, I asked if the road through the creek channel was passable. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There was some serious thinking going on between the two of them, I could almost see the smoke rising. "Wal now" he starts, "Best way to do thet is to jus' foller this here road to your raht 'n jes' keep on a-follerin' it for a mile or more, then it'll turn and cross t' gully, n' y'all kin jes foller it raht bek to this here road on t'other side" "Follow what road" I asked ......... "Why, thet one raht there, y'all blind er sumtin?" ......</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mudholes like this became the order of the day as I progressed south along the "road" ...Obviously, the ridge in the middle was the only choice to be made here as both sides and the big water holes were not usable options. The sides were gooey, and the water ....well .... But, as it turned out, the far side of the middle ridge was almost quicksand. Looked good ......ah yes .....an adventure ride is what it's all about, right? </span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I just kept following the "road" to the south for what he said would be a "mile or so" ...... and it kept getting more and more interesting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But also kept getting just prettier and prettier as I went along</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Jes' keep on the road until it crosses the gully" he said ..... "and then y'all got it made</span> <span style="font-size: large;">".</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The "road" on the other side of the "gully" is almost vertical causing a hike-a-bike to the top. But it <i>does</i></span> <span style="font-size: large;">get me to the other side of the gully. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the other side, the terrain becomes much different. More hilly, much more rocky and big rooted sections making for more hike-a bike sections. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For what seemed like an eternity, I kept following the "road", north this time, or so it seemed. Besides the challenges, there were times when it would become a paradise. But even with all the challenges that a better mountain biker than me would have taken in stride, I found this to be one of the prettiest areas in which I had ever had the pleasure of bicycling. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, I did find the original road that I had started from, and in a way, even though traversing the trail was tough, I was a bit sorry it was over. Well ...... it wasn't over ..... yet! This is what the "county road" looked like ........</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Big fat tires hold a lot of mud</span>. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The adventure was far from over yet as I was soon to find out, but first, let's go on down to the "gully" and see why I couldn't just go across here on this road....... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh ........ </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you look close, just on the other side of the creek, there is a little yellow "road closed" sign ..... and you can see the "road" going on up through the trees. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I guess that's why ....... So, turn around again and back on up past where I had come out onto this "road" and headed back toward civilization. What's this ...... he never mentioned barbed wire fences and locked gates</span> ...... <span style="font-size: large;">and I'm on the inside, looking out.Well ...... as much as I enjoyed the ride ....... I am <i>not </i>going to go back. So ... picking the 32 pound bike up and throwing it over a five foot tall barbed wire fence sounds like it might involve an injury or two ...... it may have drawn a little blood. The fence was a bit shorter than the gate, however. I used the gate to get myself over. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWM98OnhmxBUDNkBH26Bsz9gQaZv-UcgAIV7N_m9KaIBp94GPO4WppQ2A1BA6vSal3Hv_NQ_ge1QOOEKNNE-vrJTCWsn_aTGnpY6dAYuEzWSOIKJOtYJmz6pY6dYhyphenhyphenAPNi9-1iqrx5cOo-/s1600/P1040029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWM98OnhmxBUDNkBH26Bsz9gQaZv-UcgAIV7N_m9KaIBp94GPO4WppQ2A1BA6vSal3Hv_NQ_ge1QOOEKNNE-vrJTCWsn_aTGnpY6dAYuEzWSOIKJOtYJmz6pY6dYhyphenhyphenAPNi9-1iqrx5cOo-/s1600/P1040029.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Only to go a quarter mile further and find yet another locked gate and more barbed wire. So .....repeat the process, trying unsuccessfully to be a bit more careful ..... and then, on the<i> other</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">side of the fence, there was this sign...... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, now really, he needn't have worried, I had a hard enough time just getting my bike over the fence, let alone a cow ..... There wasn't a sign or locked gates on the <i>other </i>side of the gully .... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, finally out ...... I found the actual county road again and climbed up some steep long hills .... reminiscent of Utah color country. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> and then back down again, and then back up again .... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> But back into civilization</span> <span style="font-size: large;">once again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Heading on home, I found why maybe my cleats weren't clipping in quite as easily as normal. I have to admit, though, they<i> did </i>get me home like this without much trouble. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All in all, a truly unusual day full of many adventures, but one I wouldn't have taken back for anything. I ended up with 31 miles of adventures that I would never have seen otherwise. What a day! Yes .... my cough is worse today ...... oh well ..... I still wouldn't have given it up. </span><br />
<br />RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-4528850405236324332015-01-20T05:34:00.000-06:002015-01-20T05:49:09.008-06:00FatBike Maiden Voyage<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1/16/15;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A lot of the fun of getting a new bike is getting it out the first time and seeing what it is really like to ride. Because a Fatbike is such a different beast completely, this becomes an even more of an urgent matter. Gotta get out and see what this thing is like to ride! Windy day today, with gusts up around 22 mph or better, but I'm going anyway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The route I chose today was mostly gravel with some pretty good hills to try, some flat, and a sand playground. It was to be a 28 mile route that I've traveled before with my gravel bike for comparison. Right off the bat, I did notice a reduction in speed from my gravel bike. But then, I didn't get this for speed, and I knew it would be heavy feeling. The first thing that was apparent was that somebody ironed out the roads since I'd been out on them last. All the washboard sections that I used to complain about were <i>gone</i></span>! <span style="font-size: large;">Well, not gone, but made smooth and not noticeable because of those big ol' tires. The next thing I noticed was that all the sections with the big loose rock on them were not any problem at all ...... just cruise right over them. Smooth ride ....... check! Hills, however, were a different story. Uphills were slow, but not a problem with the low gearing. I did notice the weight of the bike, and the drag of the tires. Downhills were fast and fun! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Obviously, a posed picture, but it seemed the Fat bike's element. After I turned and headed back to the south again, I had the wind at my back, and the pedaling effort became much easier. It wasn't all the fault of the bike. When I got to the river crossing, there was a 4X4 sand playground that ran alongside the river for about a half mile. The river is quite low in the winter months exposing quite a bit of sandy beach, and sand banks that are accessible from the road. Just turn off, and ride down through the ditch and up the other side, and the sand starts immediately. I have seen several pickups buried in the sand out here before from people wanting to go down to the river to fish. The approach to the river is very soft, loose sand. It's funny ...... all the time I rode mountain bikes, sand was something I wanted to avoid. In fact, many of our local singletracks have changed their trails to bypass sandy sections because of mountain biker complaints. So, here I am, seeking out the sandy area for a fun day. Once I got over to the river, the loose soft stuff along the old river banks was left behind, and the sand along the river itself was hard packed. Still sand, though. Enough power will spin the tire and dig holes. Those big ol' tires just rolled right on top of it, and made it seem easy. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6P1FIQwgc3VG0aA8wQAMoXP0Rq01ZckBCEZQ_YMfwUI-i_NjiadCxZLbint2YDaV5-rnxLt1HvIs0vfC7WRcjJvXu_HlEOtJtTB6n5m6E7RX4AQ0I5HdMu_FXGeYhtA586qrNI-xFYcvd/s1600/P1030990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6P1FIQwgc3VG0aA8wQAMoXP0Rq01ZckBCEZQ_YMfwUI-i_NjiadCxZLbint2YDaV5-rnxLt1HvIs0vfC7WRcjJvXu_HlEOtJtTB6n5m6E7RX4AQ0I5HdMu_FXGeYhtA586qrNI-xFYcvd/s1600/P1030990.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was a low water crossing to a little sandy island out in the river that looked as though it could be navigated, and so, I just rode through the six inch deep water to the island, just because I could! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Water on the left of me, water on the right of me, and nothing but water up ahead of me! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkEVjsLyUkOJBdbbAaypWhfsFKoMxvMpf4KJqDrhyphenhyphennHZZYdxCPx-j1XlzZ-6vsjhkEyLeNs_Re5tTonqqfAnA1pO8G-imZu9lE2_fz2asNz9WrlHL3P5F2CZdMNZFJSEa5A-8R79Q7rev/s1600/P1030992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkEVjsLyUkOJBdbbAaypWhfsFKoMxvMpf4KJqDrhyphenhyphennHZZYdxCPx-j1XlzZ-6vsjhkEyLeNs_Re5tTonqqfAnA1pO8G-imZu9lE2_fz2asNz9WrlHL3P5F2CZdMNZFJSEa5A-8R79Q7rev/s1600/P1030992.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The huge tires do give one a lot of confidence to try things you might not have otherwise. So, continue exploring, I rode down along the river's bank until I could go no more. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcb1ml3sJ6jo0D22HBHaDX4RU5v8FgD0mNO3WBKRMoBjBQAvh_-9mnO9Pn7PJuj0KUrswizGsGYFYKgk7ZnyvDn52GGnZmtt4dbNKgEma-NUXfc3UF1L_xu44f-FwAxRaQfbdOOKamTuo/s1600/P1030997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcb1ml3sJ6jo0D22HBHaDX4RU5v8FgD0mNO3WBKRMoBjBQAvh_-9mnO9Pn7PJuj0KUrswizGsGYFYKgk7ZnyvDn52GGnZmtt4dbNKgEma-NUXfc3UF1L_xu44f-FwAxRaQfbdOOKamTuo/s1600/P1030997.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Having to turn around when the river took the bank away, I looked up to the upper river banks that you can see on the left of the picture. These were very, very loose sand, but getting a run at it first helped, and I was able to stand and power on up through the loose stuff with a minimum of spinning. As long as it kept moving all was good. When the bike would spin out and stop, because it happens suddenly, you fall over. Soft landings though, kind of like falling into a bucket of corn meal mush. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can make out my track to the right side of the 4X4's track. There was no way that I would have ever even tried this area with a regular mountain bike. This bike, with those huge tires, just rolled over all of it, and stayed up on top of the sand without digging in. Turning an area usually avoided into a fun playground. I know these bikes were originally designed for snow, but sand really seems to be their forte. I'm not really sure how well they would really do in our snow here which usually is accompanied by a layer of ice first. But they turn sand into a fun time indeed. I played up and down on the sandy banks spinning up, and turning and fishtailing down in the loose sand, it was a blast! All in all, I spent almost an hour here before wearing myself almost completely out. Finally, with legs that felt like rubber, I realized I still had eight more miles to get home and some pretty good hills to climb before getting there, so, I left, my sandy playground, but I'll be back before the spring rains fill the river again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see, by my footprints walking back to take this picture how soft and loose the sand was here, but the bike made me look like I actually knew what I was doing, and was a lot stronger than I really am. When I stopped the bike, there happened to be an old piece of driftwood that was a perfect size to use as a kickstand right there within arm's reach. A perfect fit! Forked at the top end, and fat enough at the bottom to not sink down in the sand, it held the bike up so I could get this picture. </span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fat Bike tracks in, and Fat Bike tracks out, the end to a fun time, and then, it's back on the gravel roads and head up the hills and back home. I definitely will be back for more of this, however. I'm still experimenting with tire pressure and today, I had eight pounds in the front and nine pounds in the rear, but I really think that reducing it down to six front and seven rear might work better. Not really used to thinking about tire pressure in single digits. This bike, with it's low pressure fat tires turned an otherwise avoidable area into a fun playground! Just another new adventure! </span>RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-29627844540691013462015-01-18T11:51:00.000-06:002015-01-18T12:57:35.355-06:00New News and New Bike<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">January 18, 2015</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">New News and New Bike;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">First, the new news ...... Since the first of the year, I have been unable to post any photos on my blog, and have been getting more and more frustrated by it. I actually started up a new blog at a new domain only to find that it would not accept my old I.E. browser. Well .....hmm ....... for a while now ...... in fact, since the first of the year, I've been noticing this addition to my toolbar about installing the "new" Firefox browser. Seeing as how I never had the "old" Firefox browser, I paid no attention to it. I should have. Staying with the old Internet Explorer was the cause of all of my problems. After updating to the "new" Firefox, it seems as though all of my problems with this and other websites seem to be solved. So, let's get on with the nitty gritty shall we and get to the important stuff.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">New Bike;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There has been a while now that I have been looking a Fat Bikes as a viable alternative to my missing mountain bike, and maybe a little more. Still, I have most of my bases covered, and my latest addition, my CX4 gravel bike has been just a wonderful addition to my stable of bikes. I did, in the past year, have an opportunity to ride a couple of the oversize tire Fatbikes and found myself coming away from the experience with a grin on my face. The only thing I really couldn't justify was the price. I felt that starting at $2,000 dollars was a bit of a reach for a retired gentleman on Social Security, so even though I enjoyed riding them, I just more or less put them out of my mind. Out of sight, out of mind .... or something like that. They kept nagging at me. After a year's worth of looking around I had noticed the large assortment of Fatbikes on the Bikes Direct website</span> <span style="font-size: large;">and got to looking and comparing them with other brands. They were not only comparable, but they were looking better all the time. My thoughts on bikes and brand names are this, and while you may not share my thoughts, I have found them to be pretty accurate. A; The names on the bike frames only have to do with the frame itself, nothing more. B; The complete bike is a collection of purchased parts and components assembled onto the frame. C; Virtually <i>all</i></span> <span style="font-size: large;">bike frames are made in the Orient somewhere, regardless of the name on the frame, usually by only a handful of manufacturers, who make frames for many prominent and/or lesser known bicycle companies. Only a handful of custom manufacturers make a small number of one-off bikes in this country today. Most of those are long lead time waits before you actually get your bike. No Fatbikes are made in this country. D; The company who makes the bike I was looking at also makes frames for several well known brands, as well as their own name in other parts of the World. So, taking all this into consideration, looking into frame materials that I felt I wanted, (6061 TIG welded aluminum alloy) as well as looking for components that I favored, I decided that I would save a bundle by choosing the Motobecane Boris X-9 Fatbike. While I look at something of this nature to be somewhat of a novelty, and honestly could not see a huge use for it, I felt that at a price of under $800 dollars I could justify the expense and the idea of owning one. I have never used a mail order service to order a bicycle before, always buying from my local bike shop. I had many trepidations about this purchase. I needn't had. It was totally painless. Bikes Direct was true to their word, and even though they had none in stock, and I had to order pre-paid, the bike was shipped on time, (even a couple weeks earlier) and arrived via U.P.S. one day after they notified me they had shipped. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After opening the box, this is what it looked like inside. well packed and carefully packaged against damage. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Laying the box on it's side and sliding it out was an easy task, then I placed it on top of the box to see what I had.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">First item on my list was to install the front wheel. Lifting it up out of the box was a pleasant surprise as I found it much lighter than I had expected. After the wheel was installed, I could lean it up against the garage door where I could install the handlebars, seat post, and hook up the front brake. Virtually everything else was installed and with the exception of the brakes, properly adjusted. I did go over every fastener with a wrench and torque wrench making sure of proper tightening. I found nothing out of adjustment, or improperly assembled. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All the rest of the assembly process involved removal of the packaging and looking it all over. I found the workmanship to be on par with any, and I repeat, <i>any </i>bicycle made today, even the high dollar brands. I probably wouldn't have chosen a high gloss finish if I was custom building, but I can live with it. The components are Sram throughout, and all the same off road family. X-9 rear derailleur, X-7 shifters and front derailleur, X-5 crank, X-100 bottom bracket, and a 1030 cassette. All in all, a very nice component package. I do like Sram products. Spokes are heavy duty 14 gauge stainless. All in all a very nice bike. I was duly impressed. There were several nice features that I also liked that really don't make the bike any better or worse for what it needs to do, but it was nice of them to include. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A pretty metal head badge in the original style.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> As well as a matching seatpost badge with a "circa 1923" on it, denoting the beginning of the original company. Motobecane is now owned exclusively by Kinesis Industry, whose main frame factory is in Guangzhow China, and bicycle assembly plant across the channel in Taiwan. They purchased the rights to the name along with some others when the original companies went broke. Motobecane U.S.A is now an American company, based in the Houston Texas area. They are the importers of this brand of bikes. I think a little tax games going on, but it works for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> One of the features on the bike that was a surprise was the extra braze on mounts on the fork. The fork itself is a cromoly unit. A triple mount that will hold Salsa Anything cages, or double bolt water bottles or a front rack. There are also braze on mounts in the back for a rear rack. This would indeed make a good expedition bike. Even with the cromoly front fork, the weight of the bike sans pedals was right at 32 pounds. Reasonable for this type of bike. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The rest of the bike was exactly as advertised, with Vee Rubber tires 4X26", rims with big lightening holes, and they even include some bright yellow rim strips in case I got tired of the red. Brakes are top of the line Avid mechanical units which I like a lot. I did find their sizing recommendations to be a little on the small size. I got the "Large" even though it was recommended for 6"0" to 6"3", and it was fine. I would not have wanted the medium. The extra large probably would have been alright too. I am just about a quarter inch under 6 feet. So, all in all, this looked like a very good purchase, and I was very pleased with the whole process, as well as the bike itself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224205291476252563.post-83826269721007419722014-11-29T11:47:00.000-06:002014-12-18T07:06:45.321-06:00Adventure Ride<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">11/28/2014</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Breakin' Even;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I think the idea of breaking even on calories the day after Thanksgiving is rather ludicrous, but, I gotta try anyway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This day started out like so many do this time of year, cool, in the 40's and breezy, sustained winds around 18mph with higher gusts, a good day for a gravel ride. My gravel bike is definitely <em>not </em>a race bike, heavy, and geared more like a mountain bike, it is more of a bike to look for adventures than for racing. I have no quarrel with people who race bikes, they need to train constantly and vigorously to remain in tip top physical shape and competitive. Race training is a focused thing, every pedal stroke, every deviation from your line could mean seconds lost. Training with a rider who is much slower than you destroys your edge. A bike that weighs a few grams too heavy could mean the difference between winning and losing a race. Gotta have all the good stuff to go with it..... cadence counter, heart rate monitor (gotta keep it maxed out), $500 bike fit, all the expensive light weight stuff, and then monitor all the results of this while you are riding, trying to shave a half second here, and a half second there. Racing is a tough business. I'm sorry, but I had to chuckle at one of the Tour de France racers, now retired who stated that it was nice to be able to actually <em>see </em>France, because all the years he raced there, he never had the time to look. Well, that's not how I ride, I ride to explore, to sight see, to stop and talk to people, and to enjoy a little slower paced lifestyle. Many enjoy the ratrace, but I'm content to let the rats do their own thing. Besides, it's hard to be racy when you ride a heavy bike, and my cadence is beat by a different drummer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Did I mention my bike is heavy? I'll just lean it against this handy stop sign while I take a picture ...... oops ..... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course, to be fair to the bike ..... the wind <em>was </em>blowing... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now to get to the ride ..... As I've said, a typical Oklahoma late Fall day, breezy and temperatures in the 40's, I dressed appropriately, but also took along my small handlebar bag to put my clothes in as I peeled them off later (as it turned out, I didn't need to). Any ride starts out on a little bit of pavement from my home, this one was no exception. Out the door, and up the hill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After a couple miles of pavement, I branched out on a very nicely graded, wide, easy riding gravel road. This, however was going into the above mentioned 18mph breeze, so it's not quite as easy as it looks here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From wide open roads, to pretty, tree lined lanes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As always, there are the light weight limit wooden bridges.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are water crossings</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As well as the sometimes unavoidable mudholes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When the gravel runs out there is always the ubiquitous Oklahoma red clay. Almost impassable when wet, and when dry, it resembles concrete spilled out the back of a mixer truck as it rolled along. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were endless vistas rewarding you on top of the long climbs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As well as endless pastoral farm scenes like this one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gravel got hills? ..... Actually, most all of our gravel roads do not follow any highway gradient standard, but instead just follow the lay of the land, which can make for some pretty steep climbs at times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Hang on the best you can bro' ....... I got your back"...... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You never know what you are going to find next, from beautiful nicely graded roads like this one </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGMwVQgbo-y3duV5ne6cCd0PbyEeaLyCFm_TWf64TQfj9g3hOuWndSeDIPStEB9JLZZQf84waoNeVouckMNpfaFSD3c_oLsf4b1wgp-F0tLHLRbS2joXEJ1OhXz9ujRSvJpDEdTBdeLZn/s1600/P1030844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGMwVQgbo-y3duV5ne6cCd0PbyEeaLyCFm_TWf64TQfj9g3hOuWndSeDIPStEB9JLZZQf84waoNeVouckMNpfaFSD3c_oLsf4b1wgp-F0tLHLRbS2joXEJ1OhXz9ujRSvJpDEdTBdeLZn/s1600/P1030844.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To <em>this </em>in just a few miles</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the kind of road a true explorer lives for. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gooey mud all along, big water and mud holes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">AS well as tree hazards</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And, if you are lucky, an occasional treat. This fine rig is owned by another Richard, pulled by a three mule team. The youngster in the middle is being "trained" by the two older team members one on each side. Richard takes this rig on a cross state ride every year similar to our Freewheel bike ride. He uses this road as a training ground for his team ..... as well as the overseer running alongside. He has several matched teams of registered mules and they are hard working animals. I stopped and got well off to the side long before they got close to me as the mules were very wary and a bit spooky of seeing another person out here. I talked to them calmly and reassuringly as they went by. Richard stopped and we chatted for a bit before we went on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From mud holes and water and fallen trees, to soft sand, this road (figuratively speaking) had it all. Really, a Fatbike would have been better, but I was surprised at how well my 40 size tires handled this stuff. Every bit as good as my mountain bike. It would get a bit squirrely at times, and the effort increased about 500% but I made it through only to find yet another surprise....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This beautiful fallen leaf hill. The leaves were wet and slimy, and traction was poor, but once again, the bike proved up to the task as we (the bike and I) slipped and slid up the hillside. While the bike handled all the adverse road conditions well, this is <em>not </em>a singletrack trail, and I realize that with a rigid bike, it would not handle singletrack as well as a mountain bike with suspension. When I got this bike, however, I hadn't ridden any singletrack for several years, and wasn't really planning on any in the future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't continue on without a selfie .... I had a hard time finding an adequate "tripod" but located a convenient fallen log to hold my camera for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everything is thinning out and looking more civilized .... hmmm... I wonder what that sign is up there on the left? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh ........ <em>now</em> they tell me ...... This stop proved fortuitous however, as I got to meet another resident of the area. An older retired gentleman who owned a place off to the right side of the road right here. He let me know that while riding a bike was fine for youngsters like me, but he was 70 and was just too old for that sort of exertion anymore ..... nice old guy ..... I liked him a lot ..... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My reward for this ride....... all these wonderful pictures, the great memories and the wonderful experience out in the countryside .... and Oh, yeah ...... a couple hundred of ..... <em>these ..... </em>and a bike wash. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />RichardWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11065102209541255736noreply@blogger.com3