Finishing the Wabash Trace Ride

                  

    This is the final leg of the Wabash Trace Trail ride. Now we know other people have ridden further, and other people have done it faster. That was never our goal. We just wanted to ride it, and we did.

We were so lucky in the weather. We picked the days a couple of weeks before. The weather was rainy up until the night before we left, it rained the day after we returned, but we had beautiful sunny days both days we were gone. The day of the ride itself we had a very light breeze and the temps peaked out at 84. Perfect. The next day they had strong winds. If we had chosen any other days the ride wouldn't have happened. So lucky.

Even though we were up very early it was after 7 by the time we got started. The river and fields had a heavy bank of fog, but we didn't have any trouble driving.

 It was after 10 am by the time we got checked into our motel. Thankfully we then made a decision we were both very happy about later. Initially we were going to leave from the hotel on our bikes and ride through town to the trailhead. Since we were so late already I convinced Rick to drive the car to the start of trail. We were both so happy we had made that decision later.

       

    

  

The ride was pretty and started out with a gradual hill though trees. Time for the 5 hour energy as my legs were already tired.

 

 Boy does that stuff make climbing hills easier. I felt great. We went through tunnels and over bridges and it was perfect.

              

       

Most of the view was just of corn fields which were already brown and dead and sunflowers were everywhere.

         

              

   I saw some flowers and plants we hadn't seen the last time I got some nice pictures of.

   

       

   

 I didn't take a lot of pictures of the trail as how much of a long straight gravel trail can you take pictures of. We did see some pretty fields of prairie flowers that Rick got some pictures of.

         

   8 miles into the ride is the yoga shelter where we rested. It looked like someone made grapevine wreaths and put them on the fence. Pretty.

        

     

The first leg was from Shenandoah to Coin. Coin is a small town and on the side of the trail they have a park you can stop at with a real bathroom, shower, and you can camp.

       

    We didn't go into town but there is a restaurant there and you can get a cold drink. This part was 12.5 miles long and mostly uphill from Shenandoah. We ate our sandwich and rested there.

The next stretch from Coin to Blanchard is only 5.4 miles. It is pretty flat and the tree cover is such you can't see much. Fields etc.... We did get to a great bridge with places to sit and rest and looking upstream we were thrilled to see this pretty doe picking her way down the stream. Made for a nice stop and a pretty picture.

       

     

    

Now I must admit to it being pretty anti-climatic getting to Blanchard. The trail just fades off into the woods. No picnic table to sit on, no store in this very tiny little town to get some cold water or ice. No stores at all, just a garage, postoffice and some houses.

          

        

The town sits on the boarder of Missouri. Some of it is in Iowa, some in Missouri. We crossed the state line to say we made and then turned around to start the 17.9 miles back. We did, the entire trail.

The highway goes straight to Coin and we decided to ride on it. Traffic is real light and we had this great hill to ride down, how wonderful to go fast without having to pedal. Yippy! The trail condition had been somewhat boggy due to recent rains and we were slowed down quite abit by it. It was tiring to ride on and you had to pedal most of the time. This was a treat and I would have ridden it back to Shenandoah if it hadn't gone so far out of way.

I was having such a good time and really not much difficulty riding so I didn't realize until we got back to Coin that Rick was struggling, really struggling. He could barely talk or walk by the time we got back to the shelter. He had gone back into uncontrolled A-fib. Turns out he had gone into it shortly before we got to Coin the first time and hadn't said anything, he wanted to finish the ride. AAARRRGGGHHH men. It was not worth dying over.

I was pretty mad, but more worried. We still had 12.9 miles to go to get to the car. 2.9 miles of it would be uphill, but then the rest was downhill or level. As he lay on the table I tried to figure out how long it would take me to get to the car and back. It had taken us 1 and a half hours to get there the first time, but we were fresh, now I was tired. I am pretty good for 25 miles, but after that it gets to be a struggle. No cabs in these little towns. I told Rick I would ride on and come back with the car but he wouldn't let me. If I got a flat I wasn't good at changing it and if he got worse he needed his nurse wife to be with him. So we rested and went on.

              

I didn't want to make it harder on him, but I wanted to go as fast as possible to get him safely to the car. The hills was the worse but we took it slow and fortunately going back is more downhill then uphill. Even downhill though we couldn't just go all out. All over the trail are walnuts, hit them right and you'll go flying. The ground was boggy so even when we could go all out we were lucky if the speed got more then 12.9. It took us 2 and a half hours to get back to the car and nothing in the world looked as good as that car. Thank goodness we still didn't have to drive through town to go to the motel. Rick just collapsed in the car and the relief was apparent all over his face. We loaded the bikes and went and got cold water then to the motel.

Unloading the bikes we got another unwelcome surprise. Both of Ricks tires were flat.

           

 Inbedded in both tires were these nasty thorns that I think looked like little devil heads with 2 horns.

            

   I only had one in my bike and my tires were fine. Thank goodness this happened at the end of the ride instead of the middle. We had 2 spare tubes but Rick wasn't in any shape to be changing tires and I suck at it. Boy what a day. We ate at the Depo Deli pictured below and went to bed early. A ride like that really tires you out.

        

          

By the morning, my birthday, Rick was back in a regular heart rhythm. I was grateful for that and happy I felt wonderful. No aches or sore spots at all, my "magic" pad had done its trick. I was 52 and feeling great!

Shenandoah is a pretty small town. They have a nice hospital, great downtown, cute little stores plus Hy Vees and other stores, Mayberry like.

      

    

       

Pella windows started there and there is a big EarlMay store which also started there. I could live in a town like that. We found a great little cafe in town Lou and Ed's Cafe where we had a nice breakfast and your coffee cup is never allowed to empty. It was beautiful out. We decided to take the long way home so off we went. We stopped at Waubonsie State Park for some nature. The trees should be glorious in a couple of weeks.

           

           

     

     

                 Check out this very old shelter

        

        

I had taken the day off so we decided to drive to Nebaska city to see tree town. . That is were arbor day originated. The have this massive inn. Red Oak inn with trees of all kinds surrounding it. I couldn't get a single picture because of all the trees. I told Rick I was going to write them and tell them to get rid of some of the trees so I could take pictures of the motel, LOL.

     

Next we went to Brownville, Nebraska's oldest town. That was nice and they had some great old buildings.

   

    

       

  Since it is on the border we crossed into Missouri again in the car on a scary old bridge and then came back to look at this huge old side wheel boat.

     

  

Then we decided we were way to close to Kansas to not drive down there so we would at least say we had done 4 states today. It turned out to be pretty far for just a lark of hitting 4 states but we did that also and got to see a cowboy heading a herd of horses on horseback which made the trip worth it. After that it was back to Omaha for supper.

In Omaha the Modern Woodmans tower has a huge flag they hung for the memorial of 9-11. At night they have 2 blue lights shooting up into the sky. They are doing it for a week. Pretty neat.

        

And that is the trip. We had a nice ride home with a beautiful sunset. I am not sure if we will ever take a bike ride that far from home again. It is a concern if we need medical attention and being so far from home. We had the cell phone but I would hate to have to go to a hospital not in my network. What an expensive bike ride that would be. But I am glad to have made this trip. Now that it is over it doesn't seem that bad but trust me, I did do some real suffering on this trip. I should be in better shape to do it then I am. But I didn't let it stop me. It was a good birthday.

Wabash Trace Nature Trail part 2

       This is the 3rd time I have tried to finish this entry and I lost it all times.  First I tried to do it all one one entry, too long, then I did part 2 and lost it twice.  Now I will put in the pictures, save and then write the entry.  Will this be the charm?

        The last 20 miles of the trip were very hard on me.  For one thing 15 miles was uphill.  I was at the end of my endurance.  Mentally and physically I was tired and hot.  The joy was rapidly leaving me.  The last 5 miles was downhill or level which was better.  For the last 3 miles I kept telling myself,  soon Julie you will be in Shenandoah and can have a cold homemade beer at the Depot Deli.   Just a little farther, you can do it, you can do it, you can do it,  I just kept repeating that to myself.  You all know how I love a cold beer after a long bike ride.  In the distance I could see the depot.  I would have been drooling if I had any moisture in my mouth anymore.  We ride up and WHAT!   CLOSED, ABANDONED, EMPTY, SOB.......No cold beer!  No air conditioning!  No seats to sit on and rest.  I almost started to cry.  HOW COULD THIS BE!  WHAT A CRUEL JOKE THIS WAS.

               

   But I didn't.  I wearily climbed back on my bike and started pedaling to the outskirts of town to find a motel.  We passed through the downtown and even though I was in zombie mode by this time I did notice how pretty it was.  In my zombie mode though I just kept thinking......must find motel, must take shower, must rest........

       Wearily we rode on grimly looking for highway 59 and a motel.  Out of the corner of my eye what was that..... could it be.....Yes it was.  The Deli Depot.   The real one, open, bright, inviting.  IT WAS REAL!  Happy happy joy joy.

    Rick and I decided we would go clean up our act first.  Hours and miles of trail has left us dirty, sweaty and smelling not the best.  Burnt to a crisp we would frighten most folks in this condition and besides, now that we knew where it was we could come back.  We took off in better spirits this time to find a room.  Up the road was a Kum and Go.  Something cold to drink.  Looking over the vast selection the only thing that really looked good was a large bottle of water so Rick and I both bought one.  Oh my, it was the best water I had ever tasted.  Nector of the Gods!  We both sat in the parking lot guzzling it down like we hadn't drank in years.  We both at the same time got terrible severe stomach cramps from drinking the cold water too fast.  Rick almost lost his on the parking lot.  That was a surprise.

   Traveling by bike is strange.  It is strange checking into a motel by bike.  Riding up and parking your bikes outside while you go to check in.  Sweaty dirty travelers looking for room for 2 people, plus 2 bikes!  We stayed at the Country Inn.  Rooms were $50.00.  It was OK to bring our bikes in the room.  We had made it.  I collapsed on the bed in total exhaustion.  I would never move again.  Except I wanted a shower,  I wanted a beer.

   Clean and thirsty we once again got on our bikes to go back for that much anticipated cold beer.  The Depot Deli is really neat.  Old depot with hundreds of pictures on the wooden walls,  Antiques all over.  I loved it.  The only homemade beer they had the time was Bock which wasn't quite what I had in mind, but I managed to down a couple as did Rick.  Of course it wasn't as good the Ricks bock, but pretty good.  I had a small steak and sweet potato chips with a side salad.  They had a low fat toasted sesame dressing that was wonderful.  Rick had catfish which also tasted great.  Then back on the bikes for the last ride of the day to the motel.  Finally we could rest.

   The next day decisions had to be made.  I had had chest pain the night before and my little embarrassing problem was also a concern.  Part of me wanted to finish the ride.  Part of me just wanted to die.  I slept terrible as did Rick.  You can tell how restless we were by the bed.  The last thing I wanted was to get back on the stupid bike.  Lets stay another day and rest I begged.  In the end we packed up and decided to return home.

             

   We went to McDonalds where neither of us had eaten in years.  Rick wanted coffee.  After breakfast we went to Hy Vee and got 10 pounds of ice and a gallon of water and filled all our bottles.  Plenty of people stared and more then a few probably thought we were nuts,   I did. 

      We passed a van for rent that  I though would be just great to throw the bikes in and drive to the car.  Rick said no so I then spent the next 4 miles feeling so sorry for myself that he didn't love me enough to end my misery.  How could he let me suffer this way, even though it had all been my idea. 

        We have been married for almost 33 years so Rick was used to my moaning and groaning and quietly rode by my side giving me encouragement.   He also took his gel pad off his bike and rigged it to my seat.  That helped the situation right away.  I was really suffering and always get pretty b----y when I am suffering.

   I had had so little rest I felt like I had no reserve left.  My legs felt like lead and they took forever to loosen up but finally they did.  My Tylenol kicked in, the weather was great and I love being outdoors in the country.  Slowly but happily my mood improved and I started to enjoy the ride again.  We saw sights I hadn't noticed coming in the other way.

     

     And no matter how bad the hills seemed they weren't as steep as the real roads. 

                           

    The air smells so good, clean and fresh.  It was overcast at times and cool.  Really a perfect day to ride.

             

    I had to do quite a bit of walking at first.  I was just too tired to walk up the hills and I was getting charlie horses in my thighs.  The only way to get rid of them is to walk.  That was OK though as I like to walk and it was a nice day.  Rick rode along side and told me to take as long as I wanted and to do what ever it took to finish the ride.  We were enjoying ourselves again.  And walking I notice more things.  Since we were the only ones on the trail and this part isn't traveled as much mushrooms grow right in the middle of it. 

         

     The hills are there but as I got limbered up I rode again and they didn't seem as bad.

         

   I personally love the look of farm country.

       

         

           

    The wood on the bridges is weathered and bleached.  Growing up though the cracks are plants.  Made a nice contrast.  It would have looked better if I had gotten down and taken the shot instead of shooting from above, but I think at this point if I had laid down for the shot I would still be there today.

 

              

         

    This plant is so cool,  Hot pink stem,  the berries start off green and turn eggplant purple further up.  They hang from large plants and are quite striking.  I have never seen them before.

          

     Also we ran across these wild plums.  At least I was 99 % certain they were plums.  The 1% uncertainty kept me from trying one.

            

        There were lots of butterflys, grasshoppers, turkey, quail, grouse, deer, hawks and caterpillars on the trail.  A couple of dogs which worried me, but they were friendly.

             

  For at least 20 miles I was tortured by some type of fly, maybe a deer fly, that the second I stopped it would land and bite.  It really hurt and it drew blood!  They hadn't been there the day before so the cooler weather must have drawn them out.  It forced me to up the pace more then was comfortable andalot of times I was riding and swatting with my bandana trying to keep it off my head.  Almost crashed a couple of times and must have looked a sight.  All the cows stopped what they were doing to stare.  I braved getting bit once again for a shot.

          

   What is the purpose of the green stripes I wonder,  decoration?

         

           

    This is near the end, yes I said the END of the trail.  Such pretty horses and their colts.  The colts watched us the entire time, but the mares could care less.  Rick gave me his last energy drink.  I didn't think I felt a thing but bombing along a short time later I looked back and no Rick.  He said he stopped to empty his shoe and looked up and I was just pedaling up the hill and disappearing at a rapid pace.  He had to hop and and really pedal to catch me, LOL.   Good stuff and I highly recommend it for rides like this.

       

        

                                

    We had some hazards on the trail.  The sad part was it was downhill and we hated to lose our speed.  We were finally making some time and going about 15 mph.  Would have hated hitting the tree at that speed.  We also were starting to see evidence of more people on the trail.  Unfortunately mostly by the garbage they left behind. 

     What is wrong with people that they can't pick up their trash and throw it all over.  We carried trash sacks with handles so we could hang them from our bars.  The only evidence we left behind that we were ever there was our tracks, as it should be.  Shame on all the riders and walkers who trash the place.

         

       With around 5 miles or less left we took one more rest stop.  For the first time Rick is showing his fatigue.   He is so much better at hiding it then me.  We are seeing more riders.  We are the only ones without helmets.  I still don't see how it was necessary and how a styrofoam helmet would protect you, but to each his own.  Most were friendly.  It is all downhill or level from here.

      

        

   We got into Council Bluffs around 5:15.  We had left Shenandoah around 10.  7 hours on the trail to go 44.4 miles.  Of course we rested,  I walked some.  I took pictures.  Our car looked heavenly.  It took us another 35 minutes to unpack the bikes and get them on the rack so we could leave.  The ride was done.  Now that it was over I was glad I finished the ride back, sorry I didn't ride to the end and really glad the leather car seat was so soft.  We drove back to Sioux City,  Stopped and ate and had a beer and drove home to rest.

   The next day.  My thigh muscles are very sore from the charlies and I have bruises all over my legs.  Rick is stiff and sore also.  But all in all not bad.  It already seems like a good memory.  I am even talkng about how it will be in the fall, so pretty and if I practice more on the hills it should be easy.  Who knows.