Biking through Missouri

June 07, 2019

Biking through Missouri

Biking through Missouri

Friday 7^th June, 2019

Day 28

Location: St. Joseph to Chillicothe, MO

Distance: 87 miles. Biked only 71 miles

Temp: 66 – 86 F sunny

Dew point: 65 F

Winds: 8 mph headwind

Cumulative climbing distance: 3,812 ft

Cumulative descending distance: 4,068 ft

Today we entered rolling hilly terrain, as one can observe from the cumulative climbing and descending data: 3,812 ft up and 4,068 ft down. Ever-ending “saw-tooth” up and down with about 3-4 hills/mile and a headwind. Very exhausting as one could not establish any type of biking rhythm other than grinding up the hills. Consequently, only bike 71 miles and said enough. But I actually decided to save some energy for tomorrow. The Crossroads staff says that we have some 143 rolling hills, a.k.a., “roller”, tomorrow in a span of 50 miles.

I had another flat tire today but we are very pleased with our biking gear. We purchased high end bikes, equipment and biking clothes specially to maximize performance and minimize chances of any issues during the trip. So far the strategy is working. The tally on flat tires is Ken 7 and Judi 5, which is typical for all riders. The only bike issues have been shift cable adjustments as the original cables have stretched due to normal usage.

Today we biked from St. Joseph to Chillicothe, MO.

St. Joseph is a river port city about 30 miles north of Kansas City. My father’s air wing was stationed at a US Army Air Force base here in 1943, just as the Rosecrans Air Field was finishing construction. The base is still in operation as the Missouri Air National Guard base. We could see and heard C-130 Hercules transport planes numerous times during our stay. (Allison and Susan: interestingly Grandpa Soby and his construction company were involved in this airbase construction in 1942 and 1943.)

We are in Chillicothe, MO tonight. It is located in the north central part of the state. Historically this was an important railroad hub, as it was on the first east-west railroad in the state, and the north-south line between Kansas City and Chicago.

Judi racing down one of today's more than 100 hills.

The highlight of the day was a welcoming ceremony in the small town of Maysville. We had a biking procession into town with elementary school children and some town folks watching. The mayor greeted us, local paper took photos and the Dekalb County Historical Society hosted us for refreshments and conversations. This is the only town on the trip route than does this.

Judi's new bike. Bike from the 1890's with solid rubber tires.

Typical countryside.

Some of today's ever ending hills.

The effects of the May torrential rains in the area are quite apparent. The debris on the local river banks indicate that the rivers and stream had been about 20 ft higher than today (which is still higher than normal). The debris was washed into farm fields and water still flooding low areas. One of local highways was closed until 2 days ago, which would have meant more rerouting.