16-06-17 Day 82  Anticipation – Mark Trail Bikes

Biking the Trans America

2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

Kim and Mark were up early and welcomed me with Coffee, French Toast with fresh picked cherries.. Mark and Kim biked the Trans Am last year and have been all over the US biking.. So cool to hear of all their stories…

With directions to get back on the route I headed north. I switched to Section 1. the last of 12 sections of maps… So exciting… The route was through fertile pasture land.. Lewisburg, Adair Village, Manmouth, and Clow Corner. There was a nice bike path to Rickreall west of Salem. The route turned west on 22 and headed to the coast… I stopped at a Casino in Valley Junction and got a bite as the wind picked up. Grand Ronde was a small town with a campground where I called it a day… Looking forward to see the Pacific tomorrow. …

Corvallis, OR to Grand Ronde

48 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#transam,#76route,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#marktrailbikes,#montanabiking,#bikemontana,#brooksspecialflyer,#biketouring,#marktrail,#Corvallis

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-06-16 Day 81 Lavender and Clover – Mark Trail Bikes

Biking the Trans America

2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

The tent was soaking wet. I was dry thank you #MSRhubbahubba. I rode over to the diner and had a vegetarian omelet with sausage.  Need the veggies…  ….. and FAT..

Loaded up, Contacts in and off to Map section 1, the last of 12… I also passed the 4,000 mile mark and a change in landscape.

Kim and her Husband Mark bicycled the Trans Am last year and are Warm Shower Hosts.  I texted Kim to arrange to meet at the New Morning Bakery. Oh My. Kim, with a welcoming hug and being in a bakery, I thought I was in heaven. So many delicious choices…” I’ll have it all please”..  I settled for Vegetables with some pizza dough under there somewhere..  Super Yum…

We rode a few miles to their home where we shared our life stories of biking and adventuring…  We live in a wonderful country… Thank You Kim and Mark for a delicious Fresh Cherry topped pancake visit…

Walterville, Or to Corvallis, OR

55 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#transam,#76route,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#marktrailbikes,#montanabiking,#bikemontana,#brooksspecialflyer,#biketouring,#marktrail,#Corvallis

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-06-14 Day 79 She-Ra – Mark Trail Bikes

Biking the Trans America

2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

I could hear the irrigation system working it’s way around the campground and was waiting for a rude wake-up call. I moved my bike and got it ready just in case…  but the tent area was hand watered… Yea…

I promised Orlando I would make him hot water in the morning since he wouldn’t get out of his tent for Chocolate Peanut butter ice cream last night.. He’s from UK and an engineer so stay within the lines..  He was taking a few days off and working on his laptop… Such a small world… We shared stories and I was off to Sisters, 40 miles away.

I follow #adventurecycling’s maps and have the route on my phone to check to see if I am on route.. As I was leaving Prineville the road numbers weren’t obvious so I checked. Yep, on route. 13 miles later I was looking for a turn north.. And .. I was headed to Redmond.. I’m not going to Redmond… Or so I thought… Now I was.. The Map and GPS are different… No biggie….

Redmond was nice but there was lots of traffic and the route much more hilly… As I biked to Sisters the wind picked up again..  Bummer… I was in contact with She-ra who I hiked a section of the #continentialdividetrail (CDT) with last year.. She lives in Bend and was going to meet me for dinner at 5:00…. I was cold and tired so I stopped at the Sisters Saloon for coffee and wait. I thought about riding up to McKenzie Pass at night but between the wind and cloud covered mountain I decided to look for a place to stay…. She-ra sent me a text that we were going back to Bend so we could have dinner with Kirk her boyfriend.   OH  Super Yea…

We had a lot to catching up to do. She-ra works for the Oregon Desert Trail organization creating a trail from scratch… WOW an amazing job to create something from nothing. Hummm…..

Kirk was home so we went out to eat, stopped by the grocery store, made popcorn and off to sleep…. Pack Filled Day…..

Prineville, Or. To Sisters, Or

40 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#transam,#76route,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#marktrailbikes,#montanabiking,#bikemontana,#brooksspecialflyer,#biketouring,#marktrail,#prineville

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-06-13 Day 78 Ochoco Pass – Mark Trail Bike

Biking the Trans America

2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

It was six miles all downhill to Mitchell.. Whoopee…. I like getting into town early for breakfast..  It was fifty miles and Ochoco with a 1,500 ft climb to Prineville. So I stopped into the grocery store…  Oh boy, it was like stepping into a black hole. I asked about a sandwich and I couldn’t get out of the store quick enough…. You wonder about life and why people are so grumpy…

Down the street to the Sidewalk Cafe, Daleen was shining bright.. Well with a little help from the big Smile on my face and a hungry stomach.

Jerry was there biking WEST…. wow the first Trans Am biker to past me.  I had no idea there was a west bound race also…  So crazy..  I congratulated him and asked a lot of questions. Did you see this?  Nope…  Did you see that?…. Nope….. I thought I was rushing across our country…..

I charged up, filled up, got a sandwich to go and started pedaling up hill… When I was two miles from the top, a pick up truck passed so slowly. …. It was Ken, from Portland, who I camped with along the Snake River… He stopped and told me all about his adventures with a bear and camped on top of a mountain with a expansive vista. He asked if I needed anything and off he drove..

As I started the descent down, the wind increased up….  kind of a balance.. Then the freshly chip sealed road….. That’s means … Freshly Graveled…  When I reached Prineville with 16 mph head winds I called it a day. First Taco Bell, then Crossroads Grill, IGA for ice cream and to the city park for sleep..  All the tent sites were taken so I slept on a cabin’s porch…   Nice…

Keys Creek Summit to Prineville, Or

54 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#transam,#76route,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#marktrailbikes,#montanabiking,#bikemontana,#brooksspecialflyer,#biketouring,#marktrail,#prineville

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-06-12 Day 77 Perfect Day – Mark Trail Bikes

Biking the Trans America

2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

The forecast was for low winds and low 70s. Perfect….  Josh, Anna and I met at the local cafe for breakfast… What interesting conversation. Sweden is very different than the US as far as social programs.. High unemployment and High taxes, 30%…  Anna thinks everyone should receive a minimum income regardless of work. Since there are more workers than than there is work to do. Or  limit the work day so that everyone can work, say 25 hours. So different….

The day laid out to towns 14, 10 and 20 miles apart then 40 so I had two breakfasts and Pie in the afternoon. A wonderful ride through Picture Gorge and then battle the Sunday night traffic up to Keys Creek Summit… Truck after truck with various attachments would not move over… I watch the left front tires in my mirror and if they don’t cross the yellow line I am in danger…..  If there in a dropoff on my right I stop…. And look at the drivers….. No sholder.. No place for me to move over except the gravel….  Crazy…  It must be the Sunday Night after the weekend..

Found a unlocked gate and found a place to camp…. Purple filled to sky as the sun set…. Yummy….

Prairie City To Keys Creek Summit                            78 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#transam,#76route,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#marktrailbikes,#montanabiking,#bikemontana,#brooksspecialflyer,#biketouring,#marktrail,#picturegorge

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-06-10 Day 75 Baker City – Mark Trail Bikes

Biking the Trans America

2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

It was cool and breezy all night..  So nice. I sat in my sleeping bag sipping mocha as the sun rose. I was in no hurry since it was kinda a rest day with only 15 miles to Baker City…

The ride took me by The Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.. To bad it didn’t open till later.. I did stop and see the ruts the wagon trains made as they traveled west….. Just like me…. But I left the rut behind……..

First stop, Safeway.. There were four bikers there headed east. Jeremy, Nicole, Cali, and Annie all headed East to Yorktown..  Seems so far away…

Next McDonald’s to look at maps and do the Social Media thing..  Nice to catch up with friends back home….

Warm Showers Host Will called at 4:30 and I weaved my way through Baker City to a welcoming hand shake. Will has lots of bikes and a Surly LHT just like Silver ready for his next trip…  Julie came home and we had stir fry for dinner… Shower, Laundry, Check the tires for air, Blog….. With all the chores done it was off to bed… Cheers…

S. Baker City to Baker City

15 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#transam,#76route,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#marktrailbikes,#montanabiking,#bikemontana,#brooksspecialflyer,#biketouring,#marktrail,#bakercity

Marktrailrocks.com

16-06-06 Day 71  Hot – Mark Trail Bikes

Biking the Trans America
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

I set up the tent under the baseball dugout to avoid dew but didn’t think the sprinkler spray would be a problem…. Wrong…..  Oh well…

Back to the Kooskia Cafe for a vegetable omlette and to load up with water.. The forecast was for 90°. Oh boy here we go…

I pedaled the four miles to Stites and started to climb.. The sweat was pouring out of me and I was through my first bottle in the first six miles.. I had twenty to go before Grangeville… The climb was so steep I had to walk the bike for the first time on the trip….

I was completely worn out 2 miles from Grangeville and found a covered, shady gun range. Spread out and fell asleep..

Rode into town to the grocery store and watered up.  There was a long climb up and a fast ride down to the Silver Dollar Saloon in White Bird.   Dollar Twenty-five Beers .. No where in America can you buy a beer at that price.. The diner was closed, the grocery was closed, I was hungry.  “Can I clean anyone’s home for some food?”.  Renee went home, made turkey sandwiches and heated up chili for us… SO AWESOME!!!!   WOW…  White Bird Town Park

Kooskia to White Bird, ID
41 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#transam,#76route,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#marktrailbikes,#montanabiking,#bikemontana,#brooksspecialflyer,#biketouring,#marktrail,#whitebird

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-06-05 Day 70 Surfing- Mark Trail Bikes

Biking the Trans America
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

The tent and sleeping bag were wet due to camping out in the open and next to a raging snow melt filled river… Uggg…..

The day was all downhill without any services… No bathroom to put in my contacts..  Just another day in paradise.

I met Daniel getting ready to start his day pedaling up the river.. Well at least he had the wind at his back.. He has been on the road for 14 MONTHS…    Now that’s WOW….

all over the country…   He is truly a ROCKSTAR…

We talked for a half hour, prayed and biked on..

I found a bathroom at a historic ranger station on rt 12 about half way between Lolo Pass and Kooskia. The road was a path at one point.. The historic passage of Lewis and Clark and the Nez Perce Indians.  Lots of geology and history…

There is ONE wave in the Lochas River that you can SURF.. . Really… Joe and the boys were fresh water surfing.  Another eye opening experience.. On to Kooskia Cafe for dinner and the sprinkler filled City Park for bed..

Jerry Johnson Hot Springs to Kooskia
76 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#transam,#76route,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#marktrailbikes,#idahobiking,#bikeidaho,#brooksspecialflyer,#biketouring,#marktrail,#idaho
MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-06-04 Day 69 Hot Springs – Mark Trail Bikes

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

I could hear Paul upstairs so it was time to get back on the trail. We had bacon and eggs. Yummy. …

With all the bags packed, We loaded Silver into Paul’s truck for a short ride to Lolo where the Trans Am continues west to Idaho. Goodbye Paul, Karen, Laurie, Mike, and Adventure Cycling!!!   THANK YOU!!

Travelers Rest state park is the only Site where evidence of Lewis and Clark’s camp has been found.. I guess that means someone either found their trash or something they lost…

12 is a tight two lane road up to Lolo Pass and the state of Idaho. Yes.. 3,300 miles and state number 9…. WOO HOO…..

There are hot springs all along the route but timing just doesn’t quite work out but tonight it did. Hiked a mile to Jerry Johnson to the best natural hot spring…  warm and soothing… Back to the trail head to sleep…

Missoula, Mt to Jerry Johnson Hot Springs

56 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#transam,#76route,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#marktrailbikes,#montanabiking,#bikeidaho,#brooksspecialflyer,#biketouring,#marktrail,#idaho

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-06-03 Day 68 Rattlesnake – Mark Trail Bikes

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

Paul and Karen were up early as Karen was headed out to hike a section of her dream. I got up to see them off and went back to bed… I needed rest…

I had use of their town car so off to the PO to mail off some packages and meet Laurie for lunch at the bakery…. Again Thank You Laurie….

We drove to Rattlesnake. the  wilderness just out of town where we did a short hike up the canyon… Lots of people enjoying the outdoors…

Back in Missoula the town was preparing for first Fridays an evening open house for businesses. Bands were playing, the weather was comfortable. Perfect. I drove back to Paul’s to clean up and back into town…. We strolled the bustling town and met Laurie for dinner…

Back to Paul’s for ice cream and bed.

Wooah….. What a DAY…. of Rest!

Missoula, Mt
0 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#transam,#76route,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#marktrailbikes,#montanabiking,#bikemontana,#brooksspecialflyer,#biketouring,#marktrail,#missoula

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-06-02 Day 67 Missoula – Mark Trail Bikes

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

It was a short ride into town so I stopped at McDees to charge up and wait for the Bike shop to open. Maya my bike angel from Berea, KY introduced me to Laurie, a 2015 Trans Am biker living in Missoula… Who introduced me to Mike at the Bike Hanger.

The first stop, Adventure Cycling Organization to pick up my new tires and cassett. Jeff gave me a welcoming tour and introduced me to the staff…. Wow…

Mike did the tune up in a jiff and then biked over to Harvest Bakery to meet Laurie and get my hair cut at Dan’s Barbour Shop.

Laurie was so attentive knowing what it’s like being on the road…. Thank You!!!

Back to Adventure Cycling to sign up for a life membership,  buy some gifts, and look into the possibility of becoming a tour guide… What am I going to be when I grow up?

I met Karen while she was road walking/backpacking to Big Hole Pass . Her goal is to hike the length of Montana her way…  WOW…  Another hiker with passion …  She invited me to stay with her and Paul while in Missoula… SO NICE… I pedaled the eight miles to their home and met Paul as I rode into their driveway… “Ready for a beer?” Again and Again.  so welcoming….

Karen made dinner and Paul and I went to pick up Laurie..  Hiking, Biking stories entertained us while we shared the evening..

What a DAY!!

Florence, MT to Missoula, Mt
28 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#transam,#76route,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#marktrailbikes,#montanabiking,#bikemontana,#brooksspecialflyer,#biketouring,#marktrail,#missoula

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-06-01 Day 66 June – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

Linda & Phil were up early making breakfast… With hosting Warm Shower Bikers and Air BnB guests seems like a lot on their plate…

Phil was quick out the door to milk their Goat…  “Do you want to milk her?” “Absolutely”. Such and amazing process.. Phil – Milk, Sterilize, Linda – Strain, Chill… Team Work…..

Phil left to load up some lumber. I was in no hurry since I was exposed to so many new ways of life. “Do you want to drive up to the saddle on our 4×4 ATV?” Sure…

Wow, I had no idea how much fun it was.. Up, up. Up…  The expansive view made me think about Montana…. Maybe a home for me sometime….

By 11:30 Linda gave me a ham sandwich, a hug and I continued riding down the gentle grade towards Missoula.. There were valleys carved into the mountains on my left that you could hear the Mountains calling, ” come hike”. There was a bike path that started in Victor.. NICE.. no worries about traffic.. Maybe a night ride since I started so late…

I stopped and talked to the residents and asked about living in This valley….  Montanans love Montana….By the time I arrived in Florence it was dark…. I looked for a place to camp and found the Baptist Church’s playground… Home sweet Home……

N. Sula to Florence, MT
58 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#transam,#76route,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#montanabiking,#bikemontana,#brooksspecialflyer,#biketouring,#marktrail,#florence

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-31  Day 65 Nez Pierce – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

The tent was covered with frost with no wind..  Jackson was 10 miles away, all downhill so I could wait for coffee and breakfast…   I bundled up and enjoyed the ride… So different without wind… Zoom….

Jackson was still asleep.. The only place  open was Shepard’s Garage…  No coffee but a fine bathroom..  Oatmeal and Banana and on to Wisdom…  Nice and flat.  I could bike at 12 miles per hour… It has been a long time since there was light winds…..

Darby at the Big Hole Crossing made sure I was well taken care of..  Coffee…  Breakfast…. I had a stomachache for some reason and now all better….

Next stop Big Hole Battlefield Monument. .. It was more like a massacre…  Last year while hiking the Continental Divide Trail I drank from  the same springs as Lewis and Clark and then the Nez Pierce Indians…. I wonder what Lewis and Clarke and Sacajawea  would think of what our government did to the Indians  after their  great expedition.

As I climbed to Chief Joseph Pass so did the wind…..  By now I am used to it.. Just breathe it out…

Memories, Memories…. Flop finished his 2015 CDT adventure at the pass… A strong hiking partner that made each day special  with his elevated attitude….. And Huge smile… THE FLOPSTER…..  Thank you…..

Linda and Phil are Warm Showers hosts near Sula the stop for the day… I look forward to time shared with family…  A balance between living out there and our country’s culture….  So nice..   As simple as time shared around the dinner table…

Raider, the family German Shepard and all 13 Goats….Milk and Meat…..  Goat milk, Hot Tub and another visitor, Brenna from Minneapolis…   So incredible…..

Big Hole Pass to N. Sula
72 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#transam,#76route,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#montanabiking,#bikemontana,#brooksspecialflyer,#biketouring,#marktrail #saluda

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-30 Day 64 Big Hole Pass – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

Erin, Alyce, and Lisa  all met at Ely Minnesota’ s Outward Bound program. They are on a SEVEN month adventure paddling the longest river system to the Gulf of Mexico… We talked of paddling the Boundary Waters and adventuring….  The Beaver heart River and the Trans America.. Crossroads…

I was thinking of making some miles but with 11  mph winds in the face and two passes I was just let the day playout…

When I got to Dillon I knew I couldn’t make it the 50 miles to Jackson so I filled up with 3 liters of water so there was no pressure to make it anywhere…..

The climb to Badger Pass was as expected.. Wind and Elevation…. No worries….

It was getting late and nine miles to Big Hole Pass so I started looking for a place to camp at the same time thinking it would be nice to set up for a downhill ride into Jackson for breakfast.

As I was pedaling downhill there was a Hiker walking the road…  Karen from Missoula was connecting two mountain ranges.. “What’s you name?” ” Mark Trail…. ” . I’ve read your blog on trail journals. … Really? … Very humbling. …  I need to learn about off trail backpacking….  So much to learn….

As I got closer to the climb to Big Hole Pass the more I wanted to camp on top..  Push and there was an amazing place to rest for the night.. My favorite spot up above the road….

Twin Bridges, Mt to Big Hole Pass
62 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#transam,#76route,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#montanabiking,#bikemontana,#brooksspecialflyer,#biketouring,#marktrail,#twinbridges

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-29  Day 63  Gold – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

It was nice to sleep in. Marc went to take care of his brother and Cece made breakfast.. So nice to sit at a kitchen table sharing life…

It was time to drive the two hours back to Ennis. I napped again to get the most out of the rest full visit… So special. So short…..

THANKS! Marc and Cece for going way out of your way to visit…

Back on the bike my legs felt great..  So the 2,000 ft climb up to a un named pass was manageable.. I stopped several times to take in the view….. And some oxygen…. Two hours to climb 8 miles… 15 minutes to ride to Virginia City 6 miles down….

Since it was Memorial Day weekend the town was full of Gold Rush Tourists… Lots of history and lots of people. .. Instead of the typical mining they ground up the river bed and separated the gold and left miles of piles of rock……

Nevada City, Alder, Sheridan and on to Twin Bridges were the town was all closed up. I stayed at the City Biker Camp….. So Nice

Ennis to Twin Bridges, Mt
42 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#transam,#76route,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#montanabiking,#bikemontana,#brooksspecialflyer,#biketouring,#marktrail,#helena

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-28   Day 62    Helena – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

As usual, I awoke at 5:30… Caught up on my blog and made coffee….. Knock, Knock… Sleeping Beauties!!!.. Coffee in bed. Then to the diner for breakfast… Marc asked if I had plans. Well yes and no… “Do you want to come to Helena and have steaks? …..” ” Sure.. ”

Since we were up so late I slept in the car for the two hour ride.  Again I took a nap in the afternoon at their home. I cleaned the chain on Silver and washed ALL my cloths…. Rested my legs and ate a massive steak dinner. Just what my body needed after Wyoming….

Triple Chocolate Cake and Drumstick Ice cream to top it off.. A most excellent day indeed…. Thank You Marc and Cece!!! and Annie their Springer Spaniel dog…..

Helena, MT
0 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#transam,#76route,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#montanabiking,#bikemontana,#brooksspecialflyer,#biketouring,#marktrail,#helena

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-27  Day 61  Earthquake  – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

Silver was chilling white with frost as I got out of the tent. Started breakfast and it started to rain…. Oh….. Boy…..   I unpacked my sleeping bag and crawled back in. It was cold, rainy, and I was worn out…..   At 8:00 it let up and off we rode..  Dylan and Marty caught up at a display along Hebgen lake..  Little did I know that I was going to get a lesson on geology today…  on August 17, 1959 a 7.5 earthquake shook the valley causing 80 million tons of rock to slide into the Madison river channel. Camps were buried and the creation of earthquake lake…

I stopped at Quake Lake visitor center to eat lunch and dry out the tent… The clouds were getting blacker and I prepared for the worse… There was a rest stop half way to Cameron where I was able to dodge the hail and rain but my luck ran out…  Yep…….

I was happy to arrive in Ennis. You can camp behind the Willis Distillery so I rode across the street to eat and charge the phone.

Steve walked up as I was parking and said he was biking the Trans Am west to east… GREAT… We talked about all the fun parts of living on the bicycle path of life….

I had been keeping in contact with Marc and Cece since I met them while hiking the CDT last year… They knew I was getting close to Ennis and wanted to visit… I checked my phone and at 9:30 pm they were 5 minutes away… No way…. WOW… we stayed up till midnight catching up ….. Friends….. Just at the right time..

Bakers Hole Campground to Ennis, Wy

62 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#transam,#76route,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#montanabiking,#bikemontana,#brooksspecialflyer,#biketouring,#marktrail,#helena

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-26 Day 60 Bison – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

The Inn was quiet at 5:30 am… Quite peaceful from the hussle and bustle of the years of tourists coming and going. The oldest National Park and the original classic Park Inn…

I wrote Post Cards and sat and obsorbed.. Dylan was up and it was time to hit the Breakfast Buffet for another feedathon. We took our time walking among the hot pools of water…. Boiling hot… All so beautiful……. Luring and deadly…..  life……

I was pedaling north to Madison at 1:00 then west to West Yellowstone… The Bison could care less about me or the cars…  There were newly born baby bisons…. Nursing……

Again amazing…

Soon the rain returned and I cruised along the Madison River into West Yellowstone.

State eight as I entered Montana…. WoW…… I needed to pick up a replacement for my Mountain Hardware jacket. The zipper was broken and is an important part of my gear.. Clint from UPS and Ben from Freeheel and Wheel helped me receive my jacket…  Lots of coordination to pick up a box. Unfortunately I ordered the wrong size andour needed to sent it back.  Made it to the post office as they were closing for the night… Another distraction that is just part of the game… Dylan and Marty rode into town with great stories of their ride from McGeyser….

It was the start of Memorial Day weekend and the town was packed full… We ate first dinner at the Pizza Joint as the storm clouds built..  Then to McDonald’s for second dinner as the rain storm blew by. It finally cleared and we headed north at 9:30 pm and made it to Bakers Hole Campground. It was full so we tented by a bear storage bin  as the rain fell…..

Old Faithful To West Yellowstone
35 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#montanabiking,#bikemontans,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-25 Day 59 Old Faithful – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

The wet slushy snow made the tent sag and the drops off the tree above made me want to sleep in… But…… The lure of hot steamy water blasting into the air every few hours drew me out into the snow…. I packed up quickly and pedaled over the Snake River back to the Flagg Campground for a shower. The place was empty so I pulled the bike into the bathroom and made the place feel like home….well sorta….

Dylan showed up as I was leaving. And the rain started… The Park Ranger said the Lewis Gorge was slushy and to be careful….. Ok…   Then it began to Snow…. A LOT… wow…biking in Yellowstone in a snowstorm. …

And the passing cars… With no sholders…. I had my wet freezing hands full as I climbed to the Continental Divide. Weather, Traffic, and climbing….   Biking past Lewis Lake and on to Grants Village.  Bird & Curtissann who manage the camp store in Grants Village, humored me and said they remembered Moonwalker and me as we hiked through on the CDT last July.. We made ourselves comfortable as we warmed up for the next 20 miles to Old Faithful…  Two more crossings of the Continental Divide and it was all downhill to the Old Geyser.

We were able to squeeze into a special room in the Old Faithful Inn.. The blaster was spewing hot water into the air and everyone was amazed including me.. Oh the world and country we live in……    Every Day…….

There was a prime rib buffet that called out our name..  It is hard to get filled up on a typical serving so buffets while not my optimal choice in dining normally is the bomb on the road…  As the time drifted away, so did the tourists and the sound of the pianist filled the main room and peace returned… So nice ….

I am so thankful to be here, so grateful,  so blessed to be here…  Now……..

Yellowstone NP to Old Faithful Inn
42 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#wyomingbiking,#bikewyoming,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-24  Day 58 Togwotee Pass – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

The climb of 2,600 ft to Togwotee Pass at 9,658 ft and little winds encouraged me to get an early start but coffee at 7:00 am won out. By 8:00 I was climbing, 30 miles to the pass… UP, Up, Up…. It started to snow pellets which was cool… Then the sun came out as we crested the pass… Time for PB and Bagels….

As we began out decent, the Grand Tetons rose in the distance… Breath taking as I sped down the 6% grade at 38 miles per hour… Zoom Zoom…  We met up at Moran Junction, snacked and pedaled into Grand Teton National Park.. The rain started and the mountains disappeared. We wanted to save money for a fancy stay in Old Faithful so we passed on the Grand Teton park hotels.. It started to rain again while we snacked at the Colter Bay gas station…. Bike on 15 miles or stay in some shelter somewhere…   Bike on…  Paul said we couldn’t tent camp at Flagg Ranch so it was back into Grizzly country to Sheffield Creek. The only problem was a 1 foot deep raging creek…. Back up the hill with no food protection and fast to sleep as the pitter patter sound of rain that turned to snow…

Dubois, WY to Yellowstone NP
81 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#wyomingbiking,#bikewyoming,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-23 Day 57  Dubois – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

I knew there was Togwotee Pass at 9,658 ft to cross north of Dubois so I planned to get into Dubois early and rest for the 2,600 ft climb tomorrow. Unfortunately the wind along the WIND River had a different plan.

The sunrise was fun to watch from my sleeping bag sipping on coffee… As I was packing up, the wind picked up… .. I pedaled two miles to the rest area and who was there? Marty and Dylan,!!!!! Yesterday Marty got a flat and walked to the rest stop… If they didn’t have any problems I would never have seen them again. After Marty and Dylan left, I enjoyed the rest area, cleaning up and putting in my contacts. Ben was the maintenance man and did a great job…  As I left, the ride slowed to a crawl…. They don’t call the winds the winds for nothing. Soon I could see Marty on the side of the road….. Flat tire? “Nope…. My pedal broke” Wow…..We are in the middle of nowhere…. There is nothing I can do to help….  I rode on and met Dylan in Crowheart. Welcome to Crowheart on one sign. Welcome to Crowheart on the back….. New Plan. Marty would hitch a ride to Dubois and Dylan and I would ride on.  The wind wouldn’t quit.. Turn left… Wind in face…. Turn right……..  WIND in the face…  As we pedaled into Dubois it started to rain/hail. We made it just in time to the Cowboy Cafe where Dianne served Cheeseburger Soup to warm us up… Where’s Marty?…. Marty rides up on his bike.. REALLY?,? A guy in Crowheart put a bolt into the pedal so Marty could pedal… That’s a mouth full….

We filled our faces, walked the town, and filled our faces again… Ready for Togwotee…

N Fort Washakie to Dubois, WY
42 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#wyomingbiking,#bikewyoming,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-22 Day 56  Raven – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

No need to get up early, Raven was coming from Pinedale, two hours away, to meet me. Dylan and Marty were still sleeping when I biked across the street to McDees to do the morning thing.

I started hiking the CDT on the Mexican border with Raven in 2015. He is an Eagle Scout and loved to pick up trash so we had a lot in common. We hiked New Mexico off and on together, then Colorado, again in September. Daniel from New Orleans, is volunteering for the Forest Service for the summer came along for the ride. What to do on a Sunday in Lander? All the museums were closed so we drove to the Sinks Canyon State Park. It is where the Popo Agie river drops into a limestone cavern and two hours later rises out of the ground 1/4 mile down the canyon. COOL.

Like all visits it was sad to say goodbye and at 4:00 it was back on Silver and headed north… The wind was pretty manageable and soon I was at Ft Washakie where Sacajwea is buried. The sign didn’t show how far it was so…. I pedaled on.   There was a nice rise where the road was cut into the hill as the road dropped.. My favorite formation to camp. Above the road where I can’t be seen. The sunset was entertaining and sleep came early… Thanks Raven and Daniel…

Lander, WY to N Fort Washakie
23 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#wyominybiking,#bikewyoming,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-21 Day 55 Really Scared – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

The Hubba Hubba shook all night long and I loved it.. Luckily I pitched it just right so I could leave the flaps open so the breeze could keep moisture from building up under the fly..

It was 5:00 am my favorite time to lay awake, sip on hot chocolate with coffee and watch the morning show. The birds were singing and the sun rising behind the clouds…

Amen!

The forecast was for the wind to be out of the south, S, SSW, SW. I was heading North West with some parts north and some west.. There was only one stop as long the route. Jeffery City. Rocky had the coffee ready and holding down the fort.. The kitchen was closed due to the Fire Marshall requiring  $3,000 worth of equipment. You wonder why the small towns are closing up their places to eat. Not enough to keep up…… My one dollar coffee wasn’t going to make Rocky’s day..

I have never ridden a bike in 27 mph wind and will never again. I pushed 53 miles to get to Rt 28 and 287, where the road turned north, 11 miles south of Lander. Shurly with a southern wind the ride into town would be a breeze….. Get it, a breeze?  Well…..  The forecast for Jeffery City is 60 miles south and Lander was a whole different picture.. The wind was blasting to the point I couldn’t keep the bike on the road. The wind must be coming out of the north. At one point I had to walk, the first of the trip. The bike actually flipped up in my hands as wind pushed me onto the shoulder where there was a deep drop off.. I was truly scared… I was three miles from town, my maps had blown away somewhere, and I had no idea as to what I was doing…

The road crested a hill and turned east, I could ride.. The local police said I might get some help reprinting my maps at the Lander Inn. Judy was so nice, “Would you like some coffee?, Here are some local maps”.

I met Jodi and Braiden from NYC, at the Gannett Grill, the local burger bar. Jodi had just retired and Braiden had just graduated from college.. Road trip across the country to see the sights and share time together before starting their next…  What ever that is….. Amazing. …

I texted Dylan, the bikers from boulder, to see how they were. They had an extra bed so instead of camping in the city park it was the Holiday Lodge…

N Muddy Gap to Lander, WY
64 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#wyominybiking,#bikewyoming,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-20  Day 54 Dad – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

I knew it was going to be a great day. Dad’s Birthday.  Memories of all the times we shared would fill my mind as I pedaled..

The forecast was for 10 to 20 mph winds from the SSE, S, SSW… The route was 20 miles North, 20 miles West, and the balance North West….  finally a day being pushed from behind…

I fried the bacon and eggs just like my Dad would every Sunday. It was the day my Dad would cook and my Mom would take a break…. Brandon made coffee and we sat at the kitchen table and shared life…. Precious….

Thank You Brandon and Sam for opening your home and hearts for Bikers……

As I expected the ride north was a breeze… Literally…. At Walcott I turned west and a different story. I passed the Sinclair Gas refinery and Sinclair Gas station in Sinclair, Wy. Yup…. Then Rawlins…… Again Memories..

Here is where I skipped up to as I was hiking the Continental Divide Trail last June with Moonwalker to hike north and again in September to finish and hike south.

As I biked the wind seemed calm, but when I stopped to pee it was blasting… I could feel the gentle encouragement guiding me along my path. Just like my Dad………..

Thank you Dad, I love you and miss you……

Saratoga to N Muddy Gap
101 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#wyominybiking,#bikewyoming,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-19    Day 53  Saratoga – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

I loved my campsite, up on a knoll with the sound of Big Creek’s snow melt rushing to the sea…  This is part of the bike trip I have been missing.. With the Trans America Bike Route’s 40th anniversary, the towns along the way have made accommodations for the bikers to stay in town and for good reasons.  Econony…. Tourism is life to some of the small towns.. Camp, Shower. It has been very accommodating.. Now I am looking forward to switch and do more camping in Wyoming along the route… YEA!

Today was split into two sections, one to Riverside/Encampment and the balance to Saratoga. I called ahead to arrange to stay at warm showers host Brandon and Sam’s home to rest. Colorado was challenging and I could feel it.. Also the wind was forecasted to be in my face and slow going…. Just the way it is…

As I turned north from Riverside the road was all ground up and rough.. NICE.. Wind and Rough surface… 6 miles later they were paving. ” George will be here in a minute to give you a ride in the truck around the equipment” . Excuse me… I don’t think that will work… I’m biking. With a short discussion with George he agreed that 8,500 mile trip should not be 8,498 and a 2 mile ride in a truck.. He followed me as I pedaled as hard as I could the two miles.. Thanks George for being flexible.

I met Brandon at the High School, at noon, where he taught math. He biked with me to his home and gave me the tour… Shower, Laundry, and the Refrigerator, Bed.  Just what I needed. I did all the chores and went to bed…

Brandon came home from school and Dillon and Marty, Bikers from Boulder were in Riverside where Marty’s bike rack had broken from the gaps in the pavement slamming the bike. When we drove up they were so thankful… Brandon’s friend taught welding at the high school and knew how to weld aluminum… SO LUCKY… Afterwards we went to the Wolf Hotel for dinner. Built in 1898, and still operating as a hotel. The Lions club was meeting and allowed me to look at all the pictures along the walls… A mix from the past and present…   America…

Big Creek Access, WY to Saratoga

39 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#wyominybiking,#bikewyoming,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-18    Day 52  Wyoming – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

It was another easy ride to Walden, CO. I stopped at the Moose Creek Cafe to eat and put in my contacts… There was a great display of all the animals that you can see in the wild in the Northern Colorado, even Moose.

It was 1:00 and I pushed on. My plan was to load up with water in Cowden but when I arrived it was a ghost town. ‘Hello, anybody Home?’ Myrtle said sure have as much water as I wanted.  3 liters later I was pushing against the wind. Uphill and Wind in the face……oh..

Soon I arrived to the state border… State number Seven and 2,500 miles..  Wyoming!

Found a place to camp where paddlers can put in on top of a rock outcrop. Snow capped mountains in the distance while buldging Big Creek raced to the ocean below….

The CDT Muddy Pass to Big Creek Access, WY
58 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#wyominybiking,#bikewyoming,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-17  Day 51   Last Pass – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

It was going to be a short 38 miles to Kremmling so we took our time getting up. So nice to have awesome support from friends. It has been over a year since we been together but seemed like yesterday..  We solved all the problems of the world and then some… Marcello’s Honda, Silvia was ready to head west and off they sped…

The route to Kremmling was mostly downhill.  So nice… Just past Henney there was a six mile section of road construction.  Bumpety Bump… Stan and James flagged me along to the baby smooth section they worked on last year… Yummy .

I arrived in Kremmling and decided to load up with water and bike on… The north Colorado mountains shrunk in my mirror as I rolled up to Muddy Pass at 8,772 ft, the last. The Continental Divide Trail is on RT 14 for ten miles. I hiked here in September of last year. This time it was all downhill by bike..  Very Different…     The sky started to darken and the wind turned unfriendly. I found a place off to the side and set up the tent as the drizzle began.  Nice sleeping weather…

Silverthorne, CO. To The CDT Muddy Pass

68 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#coloradobiking,#bikecolorado,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-16 Day 50  Last Minute – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

I looked outside and no snow..  Checked weather bug and the rain was suppose to start around 10:00, so up and out. I carried all my stuff down three flights of stairs including Silver.. I was out of breath before the day even started…..

Thanks David for a Delicious stay… It was an insurance policy that wasn’t needed but mentally got me over Hoosier Pass.

The post office didn’t open till 8:00 so I waited and checked out the town. Right at the foot of the ski resort… Nice.

Marcello who hiked the PCT with me off and on in 2012 was passing through and planned to meet me on his way to California..   He called and said today would be the day… Perfect..   A short day to Silverthorne gave me time to enjoy the bike paths that connect all the towns in the area… Dillon, Silverthorne, Frisco, Copper, and Breckenridge. The only issue that disrupted that wonderful plan was snow…. And LOTS of it..  The last time I rode my bike in show was back in Baldwinsville New York where I delivered newspapers all year by bike… With my hat turned down to protect my face I didn’t get to see much.. Maybe Next Time…..

I stopped in Frisco to warm up and let the weather clear… The trail goes along Dillon Reservoir where I walked while hiking the Continental Divide Trail last september..  Memories fell out of my past like snow flakes.  Everyone so unique…  Humm.

Heather greeted me at the 1st Interstate Inn and I quickly jumped into bed to rest.

Marcello  arrived and the catching up started.. We last saw each other in 2015 in Virginia. Lots has happened since. We have crossed paths over the years even on the road while I biked across the US in 2014. A true friend indeed….. A walk in the rain in Frisco and dinner at the Dam Brewery in Dillon…  The right person, at the right place, at the right time….. Thanks Marcello….

Breckenridge to Silverthorne, CO.
15 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#coloradobiking,#bikecolorado,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail,#silverthorne

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-15 Day 49 Hoosier Pass – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

The wind was calm and memories of the wind blew through my mind. Time to move. It was 5:30 and the OPEN sign was on. Tina said she would open between 6:30 and 7:00 so maybe I can get a bite before I leave. Unfortunately my hopes were waisted. Fairplay was 18 miles up the road and I would have to wait to put in my contacts..

The rain started like a tease.. Drop here and there.. The forecast was for rain in the afternoon, after I pedaled over the pass so i had to push….. Soon it was poring. My rain gloves were deep in the clothes bag… I can wait…

As I turned on to RT 285 my hands were numb… The South Fairplay Fire Station was on my left as I had a mile more to get to town… Be smart Mark. So I stopped at the fire station and ran cold water over them to warm up… I was freaking about the rain…. RAIN HERE, SNOW AT 11,000 FT Hoosier Pass. I looked at the maps and weather app and looked to see if there was anyone on the Warm Showers App that could help me. Maria had moved but called a friend David and Lori to rescue me.

As I rolled along North Oak Street looking for their home, David came out, ” You can put your bike into the shed”. The hospitality poured out as the rain fell… So nice to be by a glowing stove full of wood. David made second breakfast as we sat around their kitchen table and talked about life and adventure. Lori teaches at the Monasori School and David does construction on his time. Both love the outdoors that’s why they live in Alma at 10,578 ft. The highest incoporated town in the US.

There was a three hour window and four miles to Hoosier Pass 11,500 ft. the highest point on the Trans Am route… Humm. Let’s go for it…

The pass was clear and had snow covered mountains rising both sides f the road. I took a break to breath it all in…..   The ride to Breckenridge was all downhill… All 12 miles…  Yah Hoo…..

Since the forecast was for snow, I contacted David on Warm Showers in Breckenridge to make it a short day and check out the town.. From his balcony you could see the expansive ski slope… It was calling me….”Come, Come”.   Maybe….

The town was in between tourist seasons so lots of places were closed. We decided to eat in. David made a huge vegetable casserole and local ice cream for desert….

Amazing Day

Hartsel, CO to Breckenridge, CO
39 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#coloradobiking,#bikecolorado,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail,#Hoosierpass

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-14 Day 48 Going up- Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

The coyotes howled,  “Get up” …. I love sleeping outdoors. The MSR #hubbahubba is a great shelter…. It is free standing which means to can stand by itself… I didn’t put the fly over the top so I could see the stars…   MMMM…..

I knew it was going to be a challenging day from the get go. Up, Up, did I say UP? The grade was wonderful but tiring.

Since I camped I needed a place to put in my contacts. Guffey was a mile off the route and up….. Only one way…  The town was still sleeping at 10:00 except for the Rolling Thunder Cafe.. Someone enjoyed listening to classical piano as I could hear it as I dismounted Silver, my bike… “Incoming” and the music stopped… “Go ahead You can turn it back on” I said. Geordi said she was practicing.. Oh like play along I thought till I saw her playing…. OH MY…

Life couldn’t get any better. Coffee, The most comfortable chair,  and a private concert…

The special was a Green Chili Burrito. Yes OK…. Two hours and the best break a mile off the route all made it worth it….. Thanks Wayne and Geordi!!!

12:15 pm and only 16 miles biked.. The wind didn’t give me a break and gave me all it had. In Hartsel at 42 miles I had given all I had… The wind had it’s way with me …  Crawled into the High Line Saloon where Mike and Tina made sure I was taken care of. I ate a plate full of rice and beans, set up the #Hubba across the street in a field filled with rusting trucks.. and crashed.   I slept till 7:30 and ate dinner number two….
Thank You Mike and Tina!!!

North of Canon City to Hartsel, CO
41.5 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#coloradobiking,#bikecolorado,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail,#hartsel

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-13 Day 47 Thirteenth – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

Friday the Thirteenth, my lucky day… I am in Colorado and I am starting to climb into the mountains.

I woke up with Rob at 4:30 am and shared breakfast together before he went to work. At 6:45 am Pueblo was walking up… Lots of turns and twists before the climbing started..  It’s Mr huffy and puffy time…..

The first town was Wetmore where the PO was the happening place.. Florence was a lot busier… The traffic was non stop to Canon City….. I loaded up with water and food and started the big climb. The wind was in my face and then shifted around my right side until it started to blast on my back… YES!!!

I rode the wind till 7:30 pm when I saw a great place to sleep on BLM land…. My lucky day…..

Pueblo, CO  To North of Canon City.
65 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#coloradobiking,#bikecolorado,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail,#pueblo

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-12 Day 46 Pueblo – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

“As long as I can mow the lawn, I will take a rest day” was my reply to Roberts suggestion to stay a day. Dianne agreed so I looked forward to a day with family..

I awoke with Robert and had coffee with him before he went off to his landscaping job. I wrote a little and waited to hear some noise to get up..  Sitting around a breakfast table and sharing life stories filled me up with the social contact much needed in my life… The pancakes supplied my body with nutrition while the stay in a home energized me to continue my ride.

The lawn was small while the gardens were expansive. Dianne loves to garden while Bill is ready to travel in his 2004 travel van. I toured the home on wheels and all the amenities available for mobil comfort..  I am looking forward to a home sometime soon but right now, home is on my bike and I am focusing on being present and letting everyday take care of itself..  No worries, No hurries is my mantra…

We went out for lunch and stopped by the irrigation supply house to get some parts to do lower a sprinkler head.. It was comforting to be able to give back in a small way for all the kindness I have received. The cycle…….

Bill cooked Salmon while Dianne prepared Fruit and Vegetable Salad, rice, sautéed mushrooms, Guacamole, and Salsa.. Artist friends Tom and Jeanie joined us for dinner, on the expansive patio. Robert made it all happen by posting his family’s home on Warm Showers..  Once again, I am truly Blessed…

Pueblo, CO 0 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#coloradobiking,#bikecolorado,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail,#pueblo

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-11 Day 45 Half Way – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

Cock a doo dal do.. It was 3:00 am.. Then the neighbors rooster had to let everyone know he was here also… John made his way to Gillians home at 4:30 am, right on time. We slept in a camper trailer in Gillian’s back yard. She has been hosting bikers for years. Her native home is New Zealand, so there was quite the worldly discourse during breakfast.

At 6:00 am John, Dennis, and Gehring biked off and I shorty after.  It was a short day and the forecast had an “E” in the wind direction…

Very rare in a western bike ride.

Nothing happening in Crowley or Olney Springs and I missed the morning get together in Boone. The scenery included 15 miles of Ore Train Cars lined up like a lazy river of gold..  There were breaks where side roads or small bridges but mostly continous…  Another untold story……

I wanted to stay two nights in Pueblo so I contacted Robert on Warm Showers..  He didn’t get home till after 5:00 so I had plenty if time to check out the town.  First to fill the face and then to the El Pueblo History Museum. The current display was of the history of worker’s struggle of conditions of making a living. Coal miners strike of 1913 – 1914 resulting in the Ludlow Massacre, Killing the wives and children of the miners, motivation for a 8 hour work day and child labor laws. The Chicano struggle of the 60’s was also on display.. History, Our America, I am experiencing……

It started to rain so I made my way to Roberts home..   Bill and Dianne only host bikers when Robert is home… My luck…. When I rode up in front of their home and saw their extensive gardens, I knew I was in for a treat… We had a large vegetable garden as I grew up and learned the joy of nurturing nature.. My career was in landscape and so I knew we would hit it off. Dianne gave me a tour and soon Robert and Bill were home.  Off to Brues Ale house for a Slopper… A hamburger smothered in green chilie….  Local Food…. Yummy….

Ordway  to Pueblo, CO 49.5 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#coloradobiking,#bikecolorado,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail,#pueblo

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-10  Day 44  Gillian

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

The park in Eads was just across the RR tracks next to highway 96.. You would have thought it was not conducive on a deep sleep but when I woke up I was ready to bike. I was finishing up my breakfast when  Dennis and  Gehring rode by. It was 6:00 am…

It was ten miles to Haswell. A perfect distance to enjoy a ride and then breakfast… Unfortunately Haswell Propane is operated by the Son and Daughter in law of Mom and Dad long since retired.. I was happy it was there but there was no effort to accommodate travelers. No coffee… Wow… It is another dying town and they have given up, hanging on by a thread..

Ten miles out of Sugar City I rode over a crest and the Snow covered Rockies rose in the distance. The terrain is changing from the grassy flatlands to the front range of the rockies.  I am so excited to be back in Colorado and to make amends from last summer’s CDT hike.   Then John appeared in my mirror, pedaling as if there wouldn’t be any pie left in the next cafe… Yea!! John caught up.

The Sugar City Diner has been operating  for over 35 years. Lynnette has been there every one.  Totally different than Haswell………. Meatloaf and Apple Crumb filled me up till I pedaled 5 miles to Orway where Dennis Gehring were at the grocery store… “Would you like to go to the park and have a beer?” Gehring asked… As we were telling stories, Gillian drove up as she was delivering mail, “Do you need directions? ” So nice..  We all decided to have a BIG salad for dinner, went to the store to load up, and made our way through town. Riding with a group was nice for a change… Lots of sharing about parts of the world I have not experienced… And the bucket list gets bigger….

We all did the town routine, Showers, Laundry, Charge up devices and then all sat around Gillian’s dinner table and shared time together…  As the rain and lightning blew through…  So special. ..

Eads, Co to Ordway  60.5 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#coloradobiking,#bikecolorado,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-09  Day 43   Colorado

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

Warm Showers is an awesome organization… Bikers open their home for bikers to get caught up on the stuff that can’t be done in a tent or on a bike…..Humm…. What might that be???

First I needed to rest my legs.. After two weeks of spinning the wheels the boys were feeling it. Second, I needed to eat real food.. And lots of it. Third, all the other stuff…..

I enjoyed two cups of coffee with hot chocolate mixed in… My Favotite… If only I had some home baked chocolate chip cookies…….

Thank you Sarah for the Restful stay….

6:45 am and I was rolling west. My last day with Toto chasing me across the state of Kansas. I did have some days with 16 mph wind in my face but all in all, it was GREAT…  I could pedal like normal people bike…. Without having to stop and catch my breath.   I might be exaggerating a little.  You know what I mean..

The forecast was for light winds and I was going to make the most of it.  There wasn’t a lot of distractions to slow me down. I did stop at the Colorado State Line…….     The state road crew showed up to take my picture. Timing… Perfect…     Next was Sheridan Lakes for lunch.

The maps stated limited services for the next 58 miles and Sheridan was twenty miles into the 58.. Heather, the manager at the truck stop, made me the most delicious turkey sandwich.. Bike magic..  THANKS Heather…

The rest of the day I took my time. The wind changed and I didn’t let it spoil my day..  Time went by fast and hills showed up to cap off an Awesome Day!!!

I met two couples that started in Denver, One set on individual bikes going to Bar Harbor, ME. The other an a tandem going to St. Augustine, FL…  Here they come…..

When I arrived in Eads, Dennis and  Gehring, from the Netherlands, walked up with a flat….. They started in Chicago on the Route 66 Route and decided to change to the Trans Am till Pueblo and then the Western Express to San Francisco..

Leoni, KS  to Eads, Co 78 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#coloradobiking,#bikecolorado,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-08 Day 42   Riding Safe

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

I opened the door of the Area 96 Church Annex at 6:00 am and George and Mary sped by…. Mary had a bright flashing red light that I could see a mile up the road and soon disappeared. I am not the fastest biker on the Trans Am…

I contacted Sarah on Warm Showers, about staying with her as I needed rest. My legs were heavy and I was tired even after a nights sleep…  She was out of town but opened her home to me…  VERY nice…

She needed her batteries replaced on her fancy kitchen faucet and after a trip to the store it was done.. After all the chores completed I ate, rested and ate again.

It was Sunday and the Museum was supposed to be open but NOT…. Library?? NOT….  So back home to eat and sleep. Tough Day…      Thank You Sarah!

Scott City, KS  to Leoti, KS
24.5 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#coloradobiking,#bikecolorado,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-07 Day 41  Blessed

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

I rode to the Sheriff’s office to cleanup since there wasn’t any bathrooms at the park. Elizabeth was finishing her 12 hour shift and was  so nice and helpful.

The ride was straight west…. Did I say Straight?  As I turned onto 96, I could see the bright flashing red lights of George and Mary up ahead.. Shurly I can catch them….. As the light got farther and farther away…. The reality is, I am a SLOW biker… And I am totally OK with that…   No Hurries, No Worries…

There was only one stop along today’s ride and it was a great one. Dighton has a bowling alley… Small but still in the vast barren flatness of Kansas, a Bowling Alley is cool.

George and Mary were eating their second helping of pancakes as I walked in. Doyle was from Ireland and G&M are from Scotland so it was interesting to hear them talk. Nancy, the waitress, was so nice.. I like honey in my coffee and hard to find, so she gave me a bag full of packets. Then she bought me a delicious blueberry pancake after I devoured an omelet. Mother’s day was on Sunday so I gave her an early Mother’s Day present….  Giving and Receiving…….

The wind was picking up and the sky darkening. I stopped at the sheriff’s office where the asked if I knew a biker named Tobias…. Turned out he is from Germany biking east and was hit by a truck near Leoti, tomorrow’s destination….  SO SAD…

As I was checking out the park, Emily walked up and asked If I wanted to stay in the church annex since there were dangerous storm warnings posted. “Sure”….  Area 96 Church is a Celebrate Recovery meeting place and also used for breakfasts. It had a shower, kitchen, and comfortable couch…..

Thank you Emily and the Baptist Church for going out of your way to house me……

Ness City to Scott City, KS
54.5 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#coloradobiking,#bikecolorado,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-06  Day 40   Sante Fe – Mark Trail

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

I have never woke up to a turkey’s gobble… Lots of firsts….

I biked into Larned and found the Sweets and Eats to do the bathroom thing. Contacts, Teeth, Lube. and fill up on water…. Danielle    filled me up with the Kansas 3 egg omelet and coffee… Delish…..

The Sante Fe trail goes through Larned from Kansas City to Sante Fe…  It was the major wagon trail route west. You can still see the ruts from the long abandoned route just like the hiking trails today.

The wind was from the south and there was a 20 mile section straight north. The bike was moving 20 to 25 mph with little effort. The grass on both sides of the road looked like waves  flowing across the ocean…. Unfortunately soon I was in Rush Center and turned west.. The party was over and the 16 mph wind blew me around.

I arrived in Ness City and went to the Mexican Restaurant to fill up.. George and Mary from Aspen were finishing up and offered a shower in their room…  yes!!  Jim & Val sat across from me asked me about long distance biking… We shared lots of laughs and it made my day.. When I went to pay for my dinner, it was already paid for….   What a wonderful thing to do. Thanks Jim and Val….

I checked in at the sheriff’s office and slept in the park….

Larned, KS  to Ness City 64.5 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#kansasbiking,#bikekansas,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#marktrail

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-05  Day 39   Century

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

I awoke at 4:00 am as if John was here and couldn’t sleep so I rolled Silver (my bike) into the washing station and cleaned the cassette and chain… and went back to sleep. James came in around 7:30 and I was ready to go.. We talked about the clicking sound and he went about working on the back area with Brandon, helper number one. I want across the street and tried out the local Donut Shop. Delish.

Post cards needed to be caught up with  so that took an hour. At 10:30 I told Heather I needed to leave and I would have to live with the click…  That’s all it took. James the bike guru started hunting the annoying cllick. He couldn’t find to because the easy up and adjustable head made a lot of creaking noise. “Let’s replace that stuff and then look for the click”  Ok… After getting that done, James made short work finding the problem Loose Crank… He cleaned and lubed it up and I was on my way…  Thanks Heather and James!!! Team Newton Bike Shop.

It was 1:00 pm  and 48 miles to Nickerson. The pedaling was Fantastic… With no wind, the miles flew by. I stopped in Huston and picked up an antibiotic for my rash and possible Lyme disease. I had an in bedded tick back in Berea 19 day ago… Thanks Dawn, Cris, Dr. Mendez, and the Hesston Health Mart Pharmacy for fast service….

At 6:30 pm I arrived at the Sterling intersection. John was camping 4 miles off route and it was 58 miles to the next town. The forecast was for 16 mph winds out of the south so I decided to water up and bike late while there was NO wind…

At 11:30 pm I completed my first CENTURY RIDE and found a great place to camp for the night just out of Larned. KS

Newton to Larned 103.5 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#kansasbiking,#bikekansas,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-04  Day 38   Planning

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

The forecast was for Sunny Skies and wind out of the north at 16 mph.. The route was for the day was 18 miles east, 19 miles north, and the rest west. As usual John was up at 4:30 so what the heck. I got up at 5:00.., an early start was a great idea.

With all my lights flashing I headed out at 6:00 am. my earliest start… The sun crept up and felt warm on my back as the wind blasted from my right…

I was going 5 mph slow and wanted to enjoy the ride so I just let the day happen with no expectations. Since the wind was so loud in my ears, I put on my mp3 player for the first time of the trip.. My brain was getting a little mushy and now I could sing along, be weird, and not a soul in sight to care.

There was supposed to be a place to eat in Rosalla but a lady at the Post Office said if his car is there he’s open. No car……. not open…

Cassoday had a Deli/Gas station by the interstate. I was so tired, I sat for two hours and rested…. and all you can eat fried chicken buffet…..

The route turned west and the wind was on my right side again so I could pedal faster. The wind pushed me around a bit but so beautiful. When I was tired, I stopped. I loaded up with water so no worries.

I arrived at the Newton County Campground at 5:30. Newton was 7 miles away and I had a clicking sound I couldn’t figure out so I called the Newton Bike Shop to see if they could look at it. They also have a hostel but it was late so I didn’t get my hopes up.

Heather answered and said sure come on in and we will set you up….  The town was bigger than most but not a lot of activity at 7:00 pm. I made my way to Back Alley Pizza for a delicious everything.  The  hostel is right next door in the bike shop… They Newton Bike Shop has been open for four years and is expanding. Adding bunks for travelers and showers…  No wonder Heather and James have created a thriving business… They understand bikers.. First there is FREE BEER on tap, laundry, wifi, and anything/everything you can imagine you would want or need… Even my favorite,  popcorn.  Heather gave me a key and I had the whole store to myself.. All I had left to do is sign their wall where all the previous visitors had signed. …
Yea… Home sweet Home.

Eureka, KS. To Newton  74.5 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#kansasbiking,#bikekansas,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-03   Day 37   State Bird

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

The towns were getting smaller and farther apart. Benedict was a mile off route so I kept pedaling on. When I turned on 39 west, the shoulder was 10 then 6 then 2 feet wide. The trucks we numerous. Zoom, Truck…. Zoom, Truck… Zoom, Truck…  the BIRD.. Did he really flip me the bird?  By the time I was over it, here he comes with a return load with a double bird…  Really… Why???.. I tried to stop a few trucks with no luck…

I turned north on 105 and two trucks pass me.  In a few miles I could see them parked at a farm and I pulled in. Steve and Nathan Miller, father and son, gave me the whole history of their family farm. 4,000 acres in corn, soy beans, and wheat… Family Farming…  Our Country….

It was time for lunch in Coyville. Not a lot going on in town so there was a table next to the Community Center.. Great. The door was open so I got some much needed water.  Mary Eckton came over from across the street. She has lived in Coyville with the other 25 residents for 86 years… Her dad had a lumber mill till the train stopped running in 44…

Next stop was the corner of 105 and 54… The Lizard Lips Deli… I wasn’t hungry so I rested and talked to Evan Murry the fishing expert in the area…  Very entertaining. ..

John had texted me that the Eureka Community Park was nice so that’s the place for the night. The Copper Kettle was hopping as the local place to eat. I had Bierock, made of cabbage, onions, hamburger, and swiss cheese,  Baked into bread, always looking for the local specialty.

Chanute to Eureka, KS.   61 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#kansasbiking,#bikekansas,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-02    Day 36     French Frys

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

There was no hurry since it was a short day under 60 miles. John left early and I was looking forward to eat breakfast in Girard and start Section 8 of the #AdventuringCycling maps.  The maps along with GPS tracks make route planning a breeze.

It was a cold morning and I was chilled so when I arrived in Girard I sat for an hour catching up, warming up… and charging up…  Can’t really do that camping…

It was 11:45 when I arrived in Walnut, Ks.. The only place in town to eat was His and Hers Bar… Brenda was making some great looking burgers and was peeling Real Fresh potatoes for shoe string frys. I guess you can’t call them French…  Yummer!!!!

The wind started to pick up but the easier terrain balanced the ride.. John got a room in the Knights Inn so it woyluld be a bed tonight. Andy met me at the door with a key… So Welcoming.    A perfect French…. No  …. Shoe String Day….

Pittsburg, KS to Chanute, 57.5 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#kansasbiking,#bikekansas,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#bikekansas

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-05-01    Day 35       Kansas

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

It was Sunday morning and Ash Grove was still asleep. Mayor Jan let me take some of her special cinnamon cake back to the hostel so that with some oatmeal was breakfast. John was out early and I followed at 7:30.

Golden City was the only stop for the day and was 30 miles away so not a lot of distractions except a way word turtle here and there. The rollers started to level out and get farther and farther apart. There were two large farm equipment dealerships close to each other…  Huge equipment…

There was a line out of Cooky’s Cafe in Golden City…  It was the Sunday Church crowd.  I asked Betty if she wanted to share a table and Jack her husband arrived and was a joy. They eat here every week. The brisket and cheesey brussel sprouts were Delicious and the PIE…..  Every pie you could dream of.  I had home made cherry….. I learned all about the area and their family business..  Small business that makes our country so great…. Thanks Betty and Jack for sharing your lunch time with me.

I had 35 more miles to bike but as the rollers faded away in my mirror, the wind out of the west did not…. You can’t have it all.

I could see the “Welcome to Kansas” sign in the distance and was happy to reach state number 5 and the 1,500 mile mark… One Day at a Time…..

Everything was closed in Pittsburgh so I texted John and pedaled to the community Biker and RV park… Another great place to stay… We grabbed a bag of salad and chicken and had a feast…    Looking Forward To Ride…

Ash Grove, Mo to Pittsburg, KS
67.5 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#kansasbiking,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-04-30       Day 34      Bike Magic

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

I was in no hurry to start biking. The guidebook said the ride was full of steep rollers, the forecast was for spotty rain and westerly wind, and I’m tired…

John said he was riding to Golden City, 80 miles… Humm. That wasn’t going to happen. My lights were dimming so was I.  I ate some oatmeal and biked to the store for some new batteries. By the time I got all the chores done it was 9:00..

The ride was as predicted.. I worked through it and at 1:00 I stopped at Bolton Country Market…. It was Saturday so it was busy with the friendliest people..The tenderloin sandwich was delicious and home made chocolate chip cookie topped it off.

As I was pedaling into Walnut Grove I could hear misc playing. What?? “Come on over, we are having a race and we have lots of food”. My belly was still full of lunch but I managed to shove in some watermelon and oranges…  The Idiots Running Club were having a 30 and 50 mile race.. WOW now that’s a accomplishment.

The route turned south and the wind was still out of the west so pedaling was a little easier. Nathan Boone’s homesite was a welcome distraction to take a break….  I took the shortcut to his house so I missed the lesson and will need to check if out later..

Ash Grove let’s bikers stay in a house in their park and I was done biking for the day. John texted me that he changed his mind and was at the park.. The VFW was having a Spaghetti Dinner and Dance at 5:00… It was 4:30 and my lucky day….

I stayed till 7:30 talking with Clyde and Brenda about Ash Grove over 50 years..  I even shook the hand of Mayor Jan and friend Jaynie. The band was filled with talent that missed the big time by a grain of wheat.. And the cherry and peach cobbler was to die for…..

A challenging Yummy Day….

THANK YOU ASH GROVE!!!!!

My batteries are recharged……….

Marshfield, Mo to Ash Grove
50 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#illinoisbiking,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#ashgrove

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-04-29       Day 33  East Wind

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

I tried to sleep outside but the neighbors dogs were barking so I moved back into the Man Cave to sleep. John was up early which ment I was up early. Garrett was fast asleep. Wes brought out a full pot of coffee… Such wonderful hosts…  Really… John left at 6:30. I messed around and left at 7:30. Garrett said he would be along as I left…

The forecast was for storms all day and at 9:30 the rain started to fall. Actually riding in the rain wasn’t so bad. As long as I didn’t stop. But I had to stop… And rest… And eat..

After riding 18 miles, I pulled into the convenience store in Bendavis. AJ, 11, Abe, 9, and James, 6, were working at the tables with pencils in hand, studying weather. Great day to do that…..   Their dad was looking for tractors on the computer behind the counter.

James showed me where the bathroom was and AJ got me some fresh water because the water from the sink “Made the Coffee Taste Funny”.  Such a great way to raise a family….

The thunder boomed and the rain fell as I pedaled towards the next town of Hartville. I stopped and ate an apple by a one lane bridge that would shake as the cars sped past… It was crumbling and had angle iron brackets on each side patching it together hoping to get a few more years of service before it needed to be replaced…

Hartville was a blur and I was on my way to Marshfield. The wind was from the east and the rain stopped. The terrain smoothed out .. Nice so Nice….. John called and said the campground wasn’t that nice and got a room. I called Garrett to see where he was and ask if he wanted to split a double.. He wanted to see if we could find a place other than a motel so I called a few churches. Usually no problem but in Marshfield, no go… Wow.. I was shocked…

I got a double at the Plaze Motel and went out to dinner with John as Garrett was a few hours behind.

Once again Garrett’s friends who he met a few towns back bought him a room at the Holiday Inn and off he went… ..

The rain fell and I was glad to be inside….

Houston, Mo to Marshfield, Mo
62 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#illinoisbiking,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-04-28       Day 32    Oh No…..

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

Looking at the #Adventurecycling maps we knew we were in for a challenging day. John was up at 4:00.  Really…  Garrett soon after…  Well I was not interested with getting up for anything before 5:00 am.  Since it was a small hostel, it is a part of traveling with others….  my goal is around 60 miles a day so that means 50 to 70 miles depending on the towns… and terrain. Today would be 30,20,20…   take your pick. Either a 50 miler or 70 with lots and lots and lots of climbs..

John and Garrett left at 6:00 am. I left at 7:00.  it was nice to get on the road early.. Light breeze, birds chirping, Morning…..

The pedaling through the Ozark National Scenic Riverways made me think of backpacking… The trees were now leafed out and the wind made them wave as I huffed and puffed my way, Up……     and Down…….  By 11:00 my legs were turning into jello so I stopped in the forest and listened to the birds and felt the warm wind restle with the newly leafed out trees… So peaceful..

It was 1:00 pm and the Flat Top fire tower call out… “Come climb me”.  I grabbed my food bag and climbed the 13 set of stairs and YES the trap door was unlocked… It looked like in 2005 the watchman put down his Readers Digest, Binoculars, and left.. Missouri looked so flat but I know better…..

As I was getting close to Houston I called Garrett to see what was up… He had made friends a few towns back who knew a friend of a friend and now we had a new friend, Wes and Judy.  We stayed at Wes’s man cave and were treated to chinese…. A blessing after a long, Challenging Day….

THANKS WES AND JUDY…

Ellington, MO to Houston, Mo
69 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#missouribiking,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-04-27       Day 31     Ozarks

        Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
    2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

          I was not interested in riding in the rain all day. Weather Bug’s radar showed Blue, Dark Blue, Orange, and Dark Orange…..  Decision time….

         Pilot Knob was 20 miles away with Centerville and Ellington spaced evenly apart. The worst would be that I would be 2 to 3 hours in it so I packed up and headed out. Don headed to New Orleans, John ahead and Garrett was still in bed….

          On my way out of town I greased up at McDees and packed a hot coffee in my cooler. I could sip on it as I biked upppp and downnn.  

         Pilot Knob is another historic place of Fort and battle… I am still in the civil war arena…

I toured their museum and read about the battles…  Sad…  again I wondered why….

          A little farther down the road was Johnsons Shut-In State Park. As I was looking around, John rode up…  Again “How did I get ahead?”. We started on our way to Centerville for lunch but John was hungrier and boom, he was gone.

          In Centerville, Nancy made me a huge Ham sandwich and I was ready to hit the hills… I could see John’s bike at the Country Market in Ellington. He said he knew where the place was to stay in town so I followed him a mile out of town. The parks bathrooms were locked so I waited while John rode back in town to see what’s up…

         After a half hour waiting I decided to look at my info and there is a hostel back in town hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.  As I was headed back into town John rode back.. Alot of riding back and forth…

          The hostel was nice and the Mexican restaurant was delicious.  Thankfully the BIG storm never showed up…

    Farmington, MO to Ellington, MO
                          64 miles     

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#illinoisbiking,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring

                 MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-04-26       Day 30      Farmington

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

The insects pestered me all night long. I love to sleep cowboy style, (On the ground without a tent), and am thinking these days might be numbered… On the road at 7:30 am for a short ride to the Our Place convenience store to put in my contacts and get a bite to eat.

As I biked into Missouri the rollers began and the farther I went the slower I pedaled…  There was no pedaling over 10 mph… The Ozarks are coming and memories of the Appalachians  still fresh in my mind..

The weather forecast was for heavy rain and hail so I was keeping an eye on the sky. Pete was on a bike ride and quickly rode up behind me.. ” Riding the Trans Am? I Rode it in 2012″. Yea. A fellow biker. Pete is from Chicago and visiting Farmington.  “You staying at the Hostel?”. It was early but the weather was starting to get dicey. Pete rode with me to Farmington’s Old Jail. Al’s Place 76 Bikers Hostel. I called for the code to get in and The place was decked out with everything you could imagine. Nice furniture, bunks for 20, showers, washer and dryer, the whole works. I decided to stay.

It was a short day but I could use a day to catch my breath. I rode to the grocery and could hear the rain hitting the roof of the store. It was coming down in sheets…

It was only a short ride back to the hostel so off in the rain I rode…. Garrett, from Salt Lake who I biked with three days ago and Don from Design Moines was there… Soon John from Colorado showed up… After a month of being alone the dynamics are changing… Who knows who where when but at least there will be some discourse..

I made a salad and pasta meal, shared stories, watched the movie Departed…  (Not that good) and off to bed.

Thank you Wonderful Farmington for creating Al’s Place.

St Marys, MO to Farmington, MO
30 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#illinoisbiking,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-04-25        Day 29      Popeye

        Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
    2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

          My legs were ready to get back on the bike. The stay at Bill and Martha’s was perfect… R & R….  I weaved my way back on the #transamerica bike route and rode south of Murphysboro crossing the Big Muddy River and it was muddy brown…

        I had two choices of routes. One along the Mississippi Levee, the other a little shorted over the rollers. I chose the levee.

        There were no convenience stores along the route so I stopped at the Gorham Post Office to mail my post cards and relieve myself.  Mike, the postman, was the only human being in town. He grew up close and gave me the history of the demise… The grocery store over there closed about 5 years ago. And that building 10.  All is left is miles and miles of agriculture.

          Although the wind was 13 to 20 and from the south, I had periods where it was almost to my back.. It felt like Dads hands pushing me on my first attempt to ride a bike….  

          I noticed barges filled with coal lined up along the Mississippi River bank. Then “The access from the Road to the loading dock.” Oh No…  Coal trucks were coming and leaving the port every 15 seconds..   Wow…   Lots and Lots of coal….  and Trucks… Later I learned the 1,200 truck loads of coal deliver to the port each day…  

I need to get to Chester and off this road….

         I was looking at #adventurecycling map and read about Chester, Il. home to the whole Popeye gang. Created back in 1929 by Elzie Crisler Segar. The town has recreated all the characters in granite and placed them all around town. There is also a biker host call the Flying Eagles Club…. WHAT??

Even though it was early I had to check it out.

            The buzzer sounded and the door unlocked. I walked into the private Club and was greeted with smiles and hospitality. Bubbles gave me a tour and after a beer I decided to push on. Kevin suggested I call the police department for an escort across the skinny Mississippi bridge into Missouri.  After saying goodbye to Popeye I was safe in the fourth state thanks to Officer Brockmeyer and the Chester Police.

          The wind continued as I pedaled another 12 miles to St Mary’s Trinity Baptist Church where I slept under their back porch.  

    Carbondale, IL to St Marys, MO
                           60 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#illinoisbiking,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring

                 MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-04-24         Day 28      Restful Day

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

It was nice to be able to sleep in. I wrote two blogs and caught up on email…  Martha was out early studying to become a PA….  Great future…. Bill made some sausage, cheesy scrambled eggs with crispy mushrooms and onions….  Just what the body needed… I wrote some cards and read up on the next #Adventurecycling map section 9. Illinois, Missouri and Kansas….

My snack bag was getting low so Bill lent me his car and off to the supermarket…  I love my small electric tooth brush that was wearing out so pretzels, nuts, oatmeal, moose tracks ice cream, and bananas, and a new tooth brush.

Martha had a lot of studying to do so Bill and I went to the famous 17th Street BBQ in Murphysboro. My plate was full of all kinds of meat. So much I had to bring half home.

Bill teaches English at Carbondale Community High School and they were going to the schools performance of Hairspray the Musical… Who would of thought? The performance was their last night with lots of memories stirred up from my high school days long past…  Thanks Mr. Wonzer, Baker High Band Teacher….

Memories of Home Sweet Home….. Again

Thank You Bill and Martha
Carbondale 0 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#illinoisbiking,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring,#baldwinsville

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-04-23         Day 27        Rollers2

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

Sue and Bruce were leaving early to recertify there food handling permits so I had coffee while Sue busily buzzed the kitchen making Breakfast Casserole for the full house.

They ran out the door and I packed up and was on the road an hour later…

I have been focused on completing Kentucky and not really looking ahead so I had no plans for the days ride. My achilles tendon was inflamed. I raised my seat to high and now I’m hurting every time I turn the pedal…. I texted a few Warm Shower hosts but didn’t think I would have any luck since such short notice. Bill and Martha responded and offered a bed…. YES!!!

The highlight of the day was:

1.  A dog chased me and I couldn’t unclip fast enough so I fell in the middle of the road….

Best part… No dog bite and a guy stopped to see if I was alright…

2.  Jon and Susan stopped and took a picture of me. Jon writes a column for #crazyguyonabike website and wanted a pic to go with his column.

3.  Kristen stopped and gave me some water… Just at the right time.

4.   Crossed the Tunnel Hill State Bike Trail….  will have to return to check it out….   Do I hear roadtrip???

5. Devils Kitchen Lake and Little Grassy Lake recreation areas with fisherman, endless shoreline, areas and a sparkling spillway.

I texted Bill as to my progress. I estimated I would arrive at 7:00 pm but the rollers were kind. Only two, one breathers…. Rolled into Carbondale at 6:00….

To my amazement, Bill and Martha are Backpackers and Bikers. We talked about which and when and sure enough, we have common hiking friends…  “Shirks or Grits” from Alabama hiked with “Rock Lobster”  Bills trail name. I met Skitks in 2013 on the AT and tried to keep up with him on the CDT in 2015…   Small World…. Bill made a Great Dinner and we watched the Chicago Redwings beat Saint Louis in hockey.. Home sweet Home…..

Elizabethtown, IL to Carbondale
74 Miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#illinoisbiking,#brooksspecialflyer,#Biketouring

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-04-22  Day 26    Illinois

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

I love trains so when the horn blew all night long I really didn’t mind… Being warm, clean, and dry was really comforting…

I was going to catch breakfast in town but Pastor Bob gave me a list of all the places to check out all the way to Carbondale. It was 10:30 and the first stop was Jeri’s Cafe in Clay, Kentucky. .. The fried catfish was worth the 20 mile ride.. WOW I love biking…..  I was craving a salad so in Marion, southwest salad and Moca Frappuccino.

Highway 91 dead ends into the Ohio River with the small town of Cave in Rock on the Illinois side…  Thank goodness for a ferry that runs back and forth all day for …. FREE …..

Really…  The river was milky brown and filled with tugboats pushing barges filled with coal south…

I made my way to the Cave in Rock State Park…  so beautiful. ….. The storys about the cave are varied with robbers taking advantage of river travelers being the most prevalent.

It was time to plan a place to stay.. Traveling alone is different than with a partner. I had no one to hang with so I pushed on to The River Rose Inn in Elizabethtown, Il. There was a place to camp at the towers along the way but was not listed on my map…  ??

Sue and Bruce are from California and have been operating the Inn for 11 years…  Sue gave me the tour and a beer…. We sat on their wide and inviting porch watching the Ohio River traffic float by. Walked to the floating River Restaurant for another round of the local special ….   catfish…

Sebree, KY  to Elizabethtown, IL
64 Miles

#AdventuringCycling, #transamericablog,# transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes, #marktrailrocks,#illinoisbiking,#brooksspecialflyer

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-04-21    Day 25      Fenders

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

The sound of rain on the metal roof made for restful sleep, but when I woke up I wasn’t in a hurry to ride in the rain… The forecast was for rain off and on all day… Garrett was on a tight schedule so he biked west while I biked east to the Fordville Diner…

Sandra asked if I needed a menu and filled my coffee cup….    America …..   got to love it ….     The State of Kentucky allows people to smoke in their restaurants. This made me eat faster than normal. Sandra loaded my gatorade bottle with hot coffee and into the rain I rode.

At first it was uncomfortable but by the time I was soaking wet….  well I’ll just say it’s part of the adventure. It wasn’t that cold and I would be sweating anyway. Stop, Sip Coffee, Eat and the rain continued to fall…

The country was filled with grain silos and no cows…. Rolling hills with a few breathers… My goal was Sebree where there is a church hostel… I needed a short day to let my legs rest from the 84 miler yesterday… Not sustainable..

In Utica I called ahead and Bob answered…. “Sure we will be looking forward to meet you”. Such a friendly voice made the ride go by quickly.. I was soaking wet and needed shelter. I found the church and a great friend of bicyclers.. Bob and Violet have been hosting bikers since they came to Sebree to pastor the church… Bob gave me the tour and invited me for dinner at their home at 6:00 pm.

Darlene, Violet, Bob and I enjoyed beef vegetable soup and cornbread. It was so nice to sit at a dinner table and share… I ate and ate…  They were accustomed to bikers appetite. They sent me on my way with prayers and a bag full of cornbread and cookies..  I am filled …. In all ways… And grateful… Thank you!!!

Fordsville to Sebree Ky 53 miles
Sebree Baptist Church Basement

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-04-20 Day 24 Kentucky Rollers

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

Garrett was ready to ride, I was ready for coffee…  I rode over to the Howardsville Store and had a local sausage and egg biscuit. Garrett being half my age said goodbye and off he rode.

The riding was filled with roller after roller… Push to the top, ride to the bottom.. Big open fields…  Looked like beautiful horse farms only filled with cows….

I was having an afternoon snack and Garrett rolled up.. Humm…  ” How did you pass me?” he asked…  Ahhh.. Riding?

We rode together as I tried to keep up… Rain was coming so it was time to put in some miles… There was a time change so we had and extra hour to ride…  My legs were not aware of the time change. ..  But on they went..

As we were riding, three bikers rode up going East with semi loaded Bikes. Dan, Andy, and Scott from Los Angeles, are biking across the country one week a year…..  Now that is crazy amazing…..  All the bikes hit the dirt and it was like old friends who haven’t seen each other for years….  And then they were gone….  only after we traded our email addresses. …..  New Friends…

It started sprinkling at 5:00 while we were loading up on a grease burger… It was 16 miles to Fordsville… What the heck…. Lots roll…

It was getting dark when we arrived.. We looked for a place to stay… The fairgrounds 2 more miles or somewhere in town… Brandy at the convenience store called Lois and we were set at the Baptist Church Pavillion.  Joe the pastor offered showers and laundry…. A amazing day on the road…

Howardstown to Fordsville, KY
84.5 miles

Fordsville Baptist Church Pavilion

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#marktrailrocks,#bikeillinois

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-04-19 Day 23    Bourbon Capital

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

Judy and RJ’S home was next to the Baptist Church so I walked over to get a cup of coffee… Everything was laid out and Hand written notes guiding me through their home..  I started the coffee, took a shower, and had a peanut butter sandwich….   Life is SO good…

THANK YOU JUDY AND RJ!!!!!

There was The Lincoln Homestead State Park a short way up the road.  I was a little disappointed because it was Lincoln’s Grandmother’s home…. Humm. Stretching it a little… What about Grandfather’s homesite?

I must have been dreaming about when and where we preserved a structure when I missed a turn and almost pedaled to Springfield.

I realized when I came to RT 150. Something was wrong… Almost to Springfield  and,15 miles to Bardstown….  the shoulder was wide so no worries. The shoulder quickly shrunk to 2 feet with a 18″ groove cut in to it…  Needless to say, the only thing I saw was the cars and trucks in my mirrors for 15 miles. A couple close calls and I was ready for some Bourbon!!!!!

Bardstown is the Bourbon capital of the World…. Lots of drinking here in KY.  I visited the Bourbon history museum, and Barton Distillary. Lots of ageing barrels. 4 years or more for the good, good stuff…..

Lastly for me it was Stephen Foster’s Cousins home… Again…. HUMM… Stephen Foster’s Cousin…  Brother, Sister, his home. Kentucky? Oh Kentucky’s State Song.   Great song writer… Way down upon the Swanee River………  Florida….

I rode to Howardstown and saw a pavilion behind St Ann Catholic Church… Nice. Neil Boone drove up and said it was OK to stay.

Lois at the convenience store also said it was OK and left the door to the bathroom door of the school open.  Thank you Lois!!!

At dusk, Garrett a biker rode up and decided to stay.. Yea a biker… Garrett is from Salt Lake City, riding to San Francisco, Ca…

Wow… Another crazy…

Mackville to Howards town. KY
64 miles
Howardstown’s  St Ann Picnic Pavilion.

#AdventuringCycling, #transamericablog,# transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes, #marktrailrocks,#brooksspecialflyer,reibikes

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-04-18 Day 22.    Small Town

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure

The Mockingbird was singing …. Time to ride..  get up…..   I am so thankful for Maya opening her home and providing me two days of rest and healthy food to feed my growing appetite.

The guidebook said the terrain was going to become rolling hills and I was ready. There were two, one stop hills for me to get a breather. Thanks for the Adventure Cycling signs to guide the way. There were roads with no names and single lane.

I took a break and watched a bulldozer push down a single tree in a field… Big time entertainment.

I stopped at the convince store in Rose Hill and was going to eat a bite when Judy said Mackville had a great grill…. Well then Mackville Pool hall and Grill it will be….

At first I thought that this might not be what I was looking for but Ashley,Casey and Taylor changed all that…  The Chicken Wrap followed by a Cheeseburger was wonderful. Ashley called to see if I could camp at the church. Gary stopped by and set me up. Judy and RJ lived next to the church and said they would leave the back door open, get the coffee ready and put out towels if I wanted to take a shower…. So welcoming. …   WoW….

Berea to Mackville, 60 Miles
Mackville Baptist Church Back Porch.

#AdventuringCycling, #transamericablog,# transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes, #marktrailrocks

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-04-16/17 Day 20/21 Days of Rest

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure!!!!

After three weeks on the road,  I cleaned the bike and chain, I looked into replacing the worn chain and brake pads.  There wasn’t a bike shop in town and it would take more than two days to have one delivered.  I called a bike shop in Richmond 10 miles away and Jay offered to bring me the parts after he got off of work tonight… YEA!

It took a few hours to catch up with email and download the maps into my phone for Section 10 of the Trans America Bicycle Route. With all that done it was time to visit Berea…

Maya, the warm showers host, worked at the visitor center in downtown Berea. That was my first stop to see what thete was to visit. Berea College is unique as it is tuition free. The students are required to do 10 to 15 hours of work a week and can graduate with zero debt….  A great opportunity for Kentucky Gifted Children.

The school was having a dandelion festival with bands, games and arts and crafts… So nice to sit and take it all in.

Jay, from Mikes Hike and Bike,  stopped by on his way home and brought me new brake pads and put on a new chain on my bike. Sure hope it takes the strange squeaking sound away. Awesome Service…  THANK YOU JAY!!!
Rest Day 2

Maya is a kayaker so I decided to stay another day to go kayaking. . Like Iva, Maya has a stable full of kayaks…… We loaded up two and took a short drive to Owsley Lake Reservoir. The goal was to sneak up on a sunning turtle and touch one.  I think you should get credit for being the closest like horseshoes. No turtles were touched. There were also beaver…. Beaver and drinking water don’t mix in my book…  No beaver fever for me….

Since I was in town we picked up some vegetables and roasted them with some leftovers.   Yummy. …. Lemon cake and Moose Track Ice Cream….. Do you wonder why I like biking???

Watched a movie and dremp of being back on the bike…..

Two Restful Zeros

#AdventuringCycling, #transamericablog,# transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes, #marktrailrocks#mikeshikeandbike

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-04-15        Day 19      Berea, Ky

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure!!!!

I just laid in my cozy Alpinlite Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bag. Listening to the birds. Enjoying waking up slowly…..

The Boonville Presbyterian Church hosted Trans America route bicyclists.  Since I am one of the first bikers, the water was still turned off…. I packed up and biked to the Bus Stop Diner to wash up and have a bite to eat…

There was 9 hills and 50 miles to bike and still some hills that I had to stop and catch my breath on … My legs are feeling better while pedaling in the seat but when I stand up on the pedals, I need more time for the muscles to develope..

The route has been well marked and I have only been off route a few times. I look at the map when I cross every road.. Usually there is a sign marking the way….  Outside of Berea the Map and description noted taking a right at 1107….The sign on the road pointed left…. I rode left till I found where 1107 continued on to the left and checked the map again… Wrong Turn… Maybe I should follow the map… I took pictures to notify Adventure Cycling and cyclists behind me…

Maya is a Warm Showers Host and gave me directions to her home. Shower, Laundry and a short list of tasks to complete in town..

We enjoyed a delicious meal and it was time for rest dreaming of touring the town of Berea, Ky.

Booneville To Berea, KY.  50 miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog,#westernmountaineeringalpinlite,#Transamerica,#surly,#jonesbikes,#longhaultrucker,#marktrailrocks

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-04-13       Day 17       Coal Dogs

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure!!!!

I heard Crystal leave with the children at 6:00 to drive them from Breaks Park to Elkhorn City school. The kids loved living in the camper and park…. Time to get up.

I stored my bike in the Campground bathroom . As I was finishing packing the bike, Teddy came in, ” Ready for coffee?” 6:32 am on the dot.Teddy and I enjoyed a cup of coffee and soon I was all bundled up for a chilling ride down the mountain to Elkhorn City for breakfast at the Golden Ring Restaurant.  I crossed the official State line welcoming me to Kentucky. It wasn’t long before I noticed an increase in trash along the road and loose dogs. You must not trade in your car in Kentucky. “That was my first car…. she was a beauty. And that one there….   Oh that’s my parts car….”.. Till the yard is full.

Crazy as it sounds, the 76 bike route goes right by Teddy’s home and sure enough there he was, line trimming the bank in front of his house as he said he was planning to do today… Hi Teddy and thanks for your wonderful hospitality.Lots of Coal trucks were carrying their load to the next point of shipment somewhere…. As the day continued, I rode deeper into the country and saw mine after mine sitting… rusting, mile after mile of CSX rail cars, trucks in all stages of repair, frozen in time.. No Coal, No work, No need to fix, No money…..

I was trying to make it to Hindman but I was pooped so I stopped at the Pippa Passes Caney Baptist Church. Pastor Lawrence was finishing his bible study and said it was OK to sleep inside. All the comforts of home. I made a Asian side and bed time after I ate half a bag of Little Debbie donuts… The appetite is kicking in.

Breaks Interstate Park to Pippa Passes.
64 Miles

#AdventuringCycling,
#transamericablog, #surly,#jonesbikes, #marktrailrocks

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-04-12       Day 16      Kentucky

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure!!!!

The rain was still falling as I pulled the packed bike out from under the picnic shelter…  It was 9:00 am… What’s the rush? I asked my self…  I rolled the bike back under the shelter and want back inside the church. The forecast kept moving the time the rain was supposed to stop back… I grabbed a book on a shelf and began reading about a lady whose family was split apart when she was three….  Sad

After yesterday’s ride, today’s was a piece of cake.. One BIG climb up Big A mountain. Then three right in a row. The city of Council had the biggest park… I mean big for a rural park…  It was cold so I stopped every chance I could do I could thaw out…  Davenport gas station didn’t have a deli so I pushed on to Birchleaf… The best chili/slaw dog in town…After another Breath Taking Climb I came to Breaks Interstate Park..  As I rode through the park I stopped at the lookouts to see the river in the Canyon 1,000 ft below… A hint of red here and there from the Blooming Red-buds.

Camp Hosts. Teddy, Crystal and their four children welcomed me as their only camper for the night. I took a long shower and was catching up and Teddy invited my to a dinner of Taters, Mac n cheese, Beans, and Chicken Tenders…. Yummy…  Thank You Crystal and Teddy…

I was invited for coffee at 6:30 am. I was to tired to blog and quickly fell asleep in a pile of leaves… In my tent….

Breaks Interstate Park, 41.5 Miles

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog, #surley,#jonesbikes, #marktrailrocks

MarkTrailRocks.Com

16-04-11      Day 15      Take it Easy

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure!!!!

There was a four mile climb up to Hayter’s Gap and I was not eager to find out how it got it’s name.  I took my time catching up on the communication stuff… Writing, uploading, reading, relpying…..   Stuff..  I said goodbye to Lea about four times… Something just pulled at me to stay…  Paul got his chores done so it was time for early lunch at MoJos…

They told me there was a new chef that had returned home to open his own place. When we walked in, Susan  Seymore, a friend I met volunteering at Trail Days back in 2010/11, was working behind the counter…. “What are you doing here?” “This is my son’s place…..   What a small world… My visit is now complete…  I got to visit with my Damascus family and now it’s time to hit the road…..I pedaled north/west to Meadowview where I had to bike through some backyards to avoid a detour of undetermined length. Crossed the South Fork and the Middle Fork of the Holston River. Then the dreaded four mile climb up to Hayter’s Gap….  It was hard but not Hateful.Soon I pulled into Elk Garden UMC for the night…   Water, bathrooms, kitchen, a warm place to sleep. ( Storm In The Forecast) A Bikers Hostel Come True…..

Made some phone calls and early to sleep…..

Elk Garden Methodist Church
Short of Rosedale, 32.5 Miles.

#AdventuringCycling,#transamericablog  #surley,#jonesbikes, #marktrailrocks

Marktrailrocks.com

16-04-09     Day 13       Troutdale Zero

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure!!!!

The wind shook the small bunkhouse as the freezing snow fell. Thankfully the wall heater kept us toasty. Ribbit and Goose, AT hikers, decided to wait the storm out. It was a no brained for me. My body could use the rest. We played poker till I had no chips, Then go fish till I had no cards.

Mary, Pastor Ken’s wife stopped by as she was headed to town to run some errands. “Want a ride?” Soon we were at Arby’s and Food lion to get some fruit and salad…Back at the Hostel more hikers showed up to warm up.  Forecast low was 17 degrees….Pushing the limits of our 20 degree sleeping bags…  The hikers were sharing stories of their adventures and it seemed like yesterday I was on the trail.

Hiker midnight came soon as I drifted into dreaming of sunny days ahead.

Troutdale Hostal, 0 miles…..

16-04-08         Day 12          Snow!!

Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure!!!!

I was coughing, sneezing, feeling drained. The forecast was not good. Snow and wind.. The plan was to rest and play tourist with Frank. Then bike to Troutdale.We visited the smallest church in Wytheville and then the giant pencil office supply… Soon it was time to get back on the trail and bike… Sadly I said goodbye to Frank as he encouraged me to pedal on…. Again. Thanks..

Soon I was in Cedar Springs and soon I was out. Just a few closed up buildings… Sugar Grove looked like a better opportunity to get something to warm me up but I passed the gas station thinking downtown might have a diner…

Again, no luck…. Next Troutdale.

In 2010 and 2011 Jacks Store and Diner was a great stop. The Troutdale Church has a hostel bunkhouse for hikers and bikers. Yea! Sadly, Jacks is closed…. It must be hard to keep a small town diner open… Long live the memories of Troutdale…

The forecast was for three inches and the snow started to fall as I climbed up to Rocky Gap. The mountains blocked the wind and the grade was not as hard as I thought. Soon I was safe and out of the weather at the Hostel… Rivvit and Goose were hiking the AT and my bunk mates. We traded stories and I was soon asleep.

Rural Retreat to Troutdale 22 Miles
Troutdale Church Hostel

16-04-07 Day 11 Wind, Wind, and Wind.

Biking the TransAm 2016
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure!!!!

Again I took my time getting on the road. There was a microwave in the church kitchen so I made use of it, ate my granola and packed up.

Iron Lung

PoorHouse Farm…. Perfect!

I rode 10 miles to a McDonald’s for a warm cup of coffee and on to Wytheville for lunch. The winds were gusting above 20 mph. I was pushing to keep going 4 mph. My college buddy Frank was coming to spend the night so I was hoping to make it to Troutdale but that goal quickly drifted away. I stopped at the Wytheville Museum and learned of the hardship of Polio epidemic in the 50’s on the town. They had an Iron Lung machine on display and story boards of the sad effects. I remember having the vaccine as a child and not knowing how blessed I was. Mr. Macri, my second dad in Jacksonville, Florida, had Polio and walked with a limp…. He was so kind to me as I was trying to figure out what it was to be 20 years old..

A great role model and mentor.

My legs felt as if they were out if gas and the wind didn’t help. I pressed on towards Rural Retreat, 10 miles away for the next stop. Again the wind and lots of traffic. The local Sheriff stopped and checked my ID saying they had some complaints that I was obstructing traffic. I said yes I was, I was being blown all over the road… “Be Safe” he said as he drove away.

I looked for a Church in Rural Retreat, I was pooped… Frank suggested the Rural Retreat Lake Campground three miles away…

“Sure, I can make it…”. When I arrived it was closed and didn’t open till May… Humm….

I called Frank and made a reservation for the Best Western back in Wytheville…Frank picked me up at 6:00pm. It was my lowest point of the trip. Physically I was beat…. The hills, wind, and miles are taking their toll on me…..

A few hours later, showered,  we were having Chinese dinner…. Bike Angel Frank to the Rescue!!!  THANK YOU!!!

Draper to Rural Retreat 40 Miles
Best Western, Wytheville

#AdventuringCycling, #transamerica, #surley,#jonesbikes, #marktrailrocks,#transamericablog,#Wytheville

16-04-06 Day 10 The Cold Wind Blows!

Biking the TransAm 2016
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure!!!!

The ice crystals crunched as I rolled over… No it can’t be…I am inside my tent…. Yep.  freezing…. It is going to be a long day… I took my time and sipped on my coffee as I packed up the wet tent… Maybe another cup of coffee to warm me up… Thank you Catawba Community Center.

I was all bundled up as I made my slow way to Christiansburg. The Church bells were tolling 12 as I crawled into town with 25 miles ridden in 4 hours.. Ugggg…

Burger King for another cup of coffee to thaw out… I snacked on some of my food to try to lighten the load…. I need to lighten up.

Radford had a nice community bike trail but much to short to really enjoy. Soon I was back on the road and traffic.  It was 5 o’clock and Newbern was all locked up. Luckily for me the town of Draper has Bryson’s Store. Terry Bryson shared all the local news and stocked  me up with water so I could camp up the road… Very nice visit…

I was really worn out as I crested the hill with the Draper Valley Presbyterian Church Shinning Bright… It was Wednesday night bible study and the parking lot was full. Nate greeted me as I quietly entered. After the lesson Pastor Bob invited me to sleep in the church.. Susan loaded me a plate full of salad and I was ready for bed…. I am a blessed man…

Draper Valley Presbyterian Church
Catawba to Draper. 55 miles

#AdventuringCycling, #transamerica, #surley,#jonesbikes, #marktrailrocks #transamericablog

16-04-05      Day 9       Crossing The AT

Biking the TransAm 2016
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure!!!!

I hoped I awoke early enough to watch Lee glaze his pottery. Rebecca was in the kitchen and handed me a cup of coffee as I ran to the pottery barn. Lee was half done so I asked question after question about the different glazes… Who Knew? Felspar, Iron, Wood Ash..  lots of complicated processes just to make a ceramic mug… Like firing the kiln for a week and letting it cool for a week.. Amazing…. Another great experience.

When we returned from the barn we enjoyed a big bowl of cheese grits and bacon….   Yummy…   Thank You Rebecca and Lee, Bike Angels…

I shoved off at 9:00 am and was in for another day of ups and downs. Buchanan was a cute town with it’s very own Pharmacy / Grill combo. Real home town…. I ate some of the food in my bag and enjoyed  an hour break.. Troutville was tiny and Daleville I missed. The bike route bypassed it I guess.

Crossing The Appalachian Trail

t was 4:00 pm and I had 16 miles left to Catawba. By the time I got to the last 4 miles my legs were wore out. I had to stop and rest as I pedaled up the last hills.

Appalachian Trail Volunteer Maintainers

I checked out the Catawba Community center for a possible place to camp. There was a meeting going on and I noticed a lot of AT license plates. I walked into a Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club Maintainers Meeting… I actually knew Michael from Woods Hole Hostel and Theresa and Homer, who I met in 2011, while they were maintaining the trail. They offered me some pizza, how could I resist?..

Community Center Home Sweet Home

They gave me well wishes and off they went..  I set up my tent and off to sleep.

Catawba Community Center             Lexington to Catawba Va. 62.5 Miles

#AdventuringCycling, #transamerica, #surley,#jonesbikes, #marktrailrocks

16-04-04  Day 8   The Blue Ridge Parkway

Biking the TransAm 2016
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure!!!

It was cold and I could hear Susanna tossing and turning..”You Cold?” … ” My feet are cold”  … ” Here are some dry socks and a hat”. Again early in the morning… “You Cold” …”Yep”.. ” Here is my sleeping bag”.

For the first time in a new tent and sleeping pad, Susanna had the full experience of bike camping. The sun was coming up and we enjoyed a cup of coffee with hot chocolate… My favorite..  we packed up and was pedaling by 9:00am..

Again the climbs were long and abundant … I am looking forward to get some legs… Soon. We rode the 10 miles south on the Blue Ridge Parkway till we reached 56 and the much feared Vesuvius Hill…. Thank goodness Susanna made me go slow so I wouldn’t crash. It is 1000 ft straight up or in our case. DOWN …  We pedaled into Lexington and Susanna’s husband, John promptly picked her up… It was so nice to have a biking partner. Thanks Susanna and John…..

My heart sank knowing I would be pedaling alone from now on… Oh boy… Memories of loneliness of last years CDT hike flooded my head…  I looked to see if there was a Warm Shower Host in the area and called one and left a message.

As I was pedaling out of town, Rebecca called and invited me to there home. After making a wrong turn, I made it to Rebecca and Lee’s Beautiful Farm.

“Welcome, Would you like some Lemonade, Ice Tea, or Both…..?” We tried to sit on the front porch but settled next to the wood stove as the sun and temperature dropped. After dinner and shower I walked to the pottery barn to watch Lee put a coat of glaze on his last batch of mugs and vases. It was amazing to see the three stage kiln and hear of the process to dry the pieces… A week of heating and a week of cooling… I will have a new appreciation of clay vessels and dishes.

A few miles south of Lexington.
Love Gap to Lexington 35.5 miles.

16-04-03    Day 7   Climbing to Love Gap

Biking the TransAm 2016
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure!!!

I still had a bike load of work to do so when I woke up at 4:30 am there was no going back to sleep. Finally at 6:00 I went to work. Packing my life’s possessions into Iva’s basement closet, sending my last W2 to Florida, and packing up the gear for six months.. It was so cold outside I rethought my long underwear choice and changed to a thicker pair.

The birthday girl, Iva, beamed into the kitchen and proceeded to fill my bags with food….  The Best Bike Angel you could have….

We rushed to met Susanna at White Hall at 9:30 and started pedaling at 10:30….. We knew we had a climb but 2000 ft up was a challenge. Susanna did great and led the way…

Since it was Sunday there was a lot of traffic on the road. We stopped at the popcorn stand at Afton and enjoyed lunch were the Blue Ridge Parkway begins..

More climbing and more climbing. By the time we reached Ravens Roost we both were pooped. Since we needed water, We pushed on to Love Gap and Mountain Top Church. We ate dinner and decided to stay on the church property. I an so thankful to have someone bike with me….Very Nice…Thanks Susanna!!!

Mountain Top Church…31.5 Miles

16-03-31   Day 4    Charlottesville

2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure!!!
TransAmerica 2016 Blog

I need to reset my alarm on my watch.. No need to wake up at 5:30… How about 6?  Coffee and a sink with hot water.. Thank you Palmyra Methodist Church for a wonderful nights sleep.

Crossed the Rivanna River where there was once a canal to transport farm goods from the plantations nearby.

President James Monroe, the fifth president. Lived in a modest home, that looked much more like a home than a mansion. I was again early and the painters were scraping away trying to get ready for the upcoming tourist season.

Montecito had a long drive way uphill so I passed by having visited James Madison’s home previously.

Most of the drivers were very patient as I climbed the hills into town… MOST…. a few close encounters…..

I reached White Hall early and Met Larry Wayant  At Wayants Store. We had a great conversation about his Great Grandfather and Grandfather running the country store. A family tradition rare in our US of A..

Soon Clai picked my up for a much needed soak in the bath…. My legs were hurting….

After a great dinner out with Clai and Iva it was back to Iva’s for a Great Nights Sleep…

White Hall (Charlottesville) 38 miles.

16-03-30     Day 3       All Gears. All Day…

2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure!!!
TransAmerica 2016 Blog

Ashland, VA is beautifully decorated with bikes of all sizes colors and shapes.. No question, someone likes bikes…   Amtrak also runs straight through the middle of town..  Small town USA… Gotta to love it……

Visited one of “Give me liberty or give me death” Patrick Henry’s homes today.. 17 kids.. that would be liberating..  The wife had some mental issues….You Think???

That’s the history lesson for today.

Stopped at the Elk Creek Country Store for lunch and met Tarzan and Kimmy.. He is the minnow tank expert and Kimmy is the Bass fishing record holder. Smiles all around.

As I was working on keeping my lungs still in my body, Gasping, I tried to shift to the 30th gear… No luck only 27….  Lots of ups and downs preparing for the Blue Ridge Parkway

I rode into Palmyra, VA. at 7:00 pm. Pastor George greeted me at the door of the Methodist Church with a fried chicken dinner. So welcoming and a blessing to me.

My body is not happy but it will come a long in due time.. Looking for some rest in Charlottesville tomorrow.

Palmyra, VA.  71.5 Miles