Tough day - He Caught the Katy - CycleBlaze

May 20, 2024

Tough day

Something of a slog

WE HAD SEVERE thunderstorm warnings last night, and two cells did pass overhead.  The first was more lightning and wind than rain, but the second did drop moisture on us.  As a result the trail was soft and spongy, making for slow going for the first few hours.  How slow?  We covered about 20 miles in four hours.

Things got better once we left the Rock Island Spur and got onto the Katy proper but it was still one of those rides that couldn't and wouldn't end soon enough for me.  We finally, finally made it to Pilot Grove's lovely city park around 6:15.

I'll spare you any more moaning and post a bunch of photos from the past two days instead.

Large snapping turtle near the start of Day 1.
Heart 3 Comment 1 Link
Scott AndersonYipes! Good thing the business end is pointed away.
Reply to this comment
6 months ago
Heart 1 Comment 0 Link
A silent sentinel guards the trail.
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
Heart 1 Comment 0 Link
Heart 0 Comment 1 Link
Bill ShaneyfeltDames rocket. An invasive, but edible and pretty good tasting.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesperis_matronalis
Reply to this comment
6 months ago
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
Different surroundings for the trail.
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
Heart 0 Comment 2 Link
Bill ShaneyfeltAlways disliked those spiny thistles!

https://www.missouriplants.com/Carduus_nutans_page.html
Reply to this comment
6 months ago
Keith AdamsTo Bill ShaneyfeltThat won't make you popular in Scotland. It's their national flower, I think.
Reply to this comment
6 months ago
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
The Chilhowee Bank, now a convenience store.
Heart 3 Comment 0 Link
This block, at least, hints at a better past than present for Chilhowee. We were too tired to go farther and see the rest of the town.
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
Another snapping turtle in an odd position.
Heart 1 Comment 1 Link
Scott AndersonTwo in one day! That doubles the number of snappers I’ve seen in the wild in my whole life.
Reply to this comment
6 months ago
Wil's bike taking a rest break.
Heart 1 Comment 2 Link
Kelly IniguezHe's very color coordinated!
Reply to this comment
6 months ago
Keith AdamsTo Kelly IniguezYep, although I'm inescapbly reminded of a homeless person's mound of possessions when I contemplate the pile.
Reply to this comment
6 months ago
In Windsor.
Heart 1 Comment 0 Link
I bagged the summit sign. And the summit, for that matter.
Heart 1 Comment 2 Link
Scott AndersonGreat, but your bike should be there for documentation.
Reply to this comment
6 months ago
Keith AdamsTo Scott AndersonMay be but I'm not going back to do a retake.
Reply to this comment
5 months ago
This was fun. The homeowner placed this small crossing signal next to where the Katy crosses their driveway with a motion sensor that activates it when a cyclist passes. It's got a realistic sounding recording of the bell, too.
Heart 1 Comment 2 Link
Kelly IniguezDid it scare you when the bell went off?!
Reply to this comment
6 months ago
Keith AdamsTo Kelly IniguezNot really, because I heard it when Wil rode past ahead of me. I also know that real crossings activate well before the train actually arrives, so I was mostly curious.
Reply to this comment
6 months ago
It's cicada time here. We've had intermittent contact with them, but when we're in a swarm they're LOUD.
Heart 1 Comment 3 Link
Scott AndersonI love this. It reminds me of my childhood in W. Va. I collected cicada husks and stuck them in the brick crevices of our home.
Reply to this comment
6 months ago
Janice BranhamType your comment here
Reply to this comment
4 months ago
Janice BranhamTo Janice BranhamLoud, slow and dumb. They were falling from the trees onto my back, my front, and my head, and seemed to lack the wherewithal to move anywhere purposefully. Really glad the cicadas are over for this round.
Reply to this comment
4 months ago
For cousin Sara, who will know why.
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
A turtle of a different sort.
Heart 1 Comment 2 Link
Bill ShaneyfeltBox turtle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_box_turtle
Reply to this comment
6 months ago
Scott AndersonVery nice. The rare terrapin trifecta.
Reply to this comment
6 months ago
A more elaborate bridge than we saw on the Rock Island Spur.
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
The first of several truss bridges we'll end up encountering before we're through.
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
Another relic of the MKT signaling system.
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
Passing through a cut in the surrounding rocks.
Heart 2 Comment 0 Link
Wil silhouetted in a culvert.
Heart 1 Comment 0 Link
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link

Today's ride: 67 miles (108 km)
Total: 124 miles (200 km)

Rate this entry's writing Heart 3
Comment on this entry Comment 0