April 20 to 30

April 20, 2025  EASTER  Rhineland to Jefferson City

We left the van at the BnB and rode together for about 20 miles.  The trail was in pretty good shape, much drier than it had been yesterday. We met a guy named Sam, from Ann Arbor, MI riding solo. Minutes after Larry turned around to go back and fetch the van, a lady named Jaye who was walking by casually said, “you might want to wait awhile until the tornado near Jeff City blows north. On second thought, you’ll probably be fine.” As it turns out, I was fine and I got to our destination before the big rain came in at 4pm.  We spent the night with Kevin and Madi our warm showers hosts.  Madi made us soup and since they were whiskey fans, we had a whiskey tasting with 4 fine bourbons we have in the van.  Madi was a big fan of the Wellers Special Reserve (who wouldn’t be).  Larry stayed up late with Kevin listening to pink Floyd albums.

Larry, Kevin and Madi...

April 21, 2025  Jeff City to Columbia

For the first time on the trail, the surface was mostly dry and hard packed.  I had a good ride.  We got to Katherine’s house about 3 and she showed us the place, her pop-up camper and her rabbits and chickens.  She got us all set up and then took off to meet some of her friends.  Larry and I had Steak and Shake burgers and they were delicious.  We sat with Kat on her porch for a while, talking about her work and her chickens but mostly about the squirrels that live in her trees and eat pecans from hands. 

April 22, 2025  Booneville to Sedalia

We slept like babies in the camper and headed to Chik FilA for breakfast. Drove to the trailhead.  I met a few people riding today. The lowlight of the ride is my seatpost clamp that holds my bike saddle lost its grip and the saddle kept slipping down backwards.  I adjusted it a best I could and rode the final 20 miles to sedalia sitting on the nose of the seat.  Not ideal. As luck would have it, we were camping in the backyard of the pro velo bike shop and Ebby Norman, the mechanic, was able to replace my seatpost lickety split.  My lucky day I guess. Nathan and Tanya Hooton own the building and they are both avid bikers and help folks on the KATY trail when they can.  Awesome people.

April 23, 2025  Sedalia to Clinton…The western end of the KATY Trail

We started our day at the local coffee shop and I met a guy also riding the trail, going the other way.  Larry and I rode together for a few hours then he turned back to get the van.  I pressed on and the day got sunny and hot. I finally got Clinton, the western end of the trail and rang the bell. We were considering camping at the trailhead but there was a storm blowing in.  I called my good friend Rea Laflin, who was expecting us the following day and asked if we could come early. I was ready to beg but didn’t have to so we drove up to Atchison KS for a few days of badly needed R&R.

April 24-6, 2025  Rest and Relaxation in Atchison, KS

Larry and I spent 3 days with the Laflins.  They were our best friends and neighbors when we lived in KS.  That was a luxurious treat for us after more than 3 weeks on bikes.  I also was able to meet with a few people I worked with at MGP Ingredients and just catch up.  It was great.

April 27, 2025  Atchison to Big Lake State Campground in MO.

The day started cold and rainy but the rain stopped after about 45 minutes.  I had a monster tailwind all day and the road was good with little traffic.  I rode 40 miles to Rulo NE where we took a break at the Swinging Door Saloon.  I finished the ride to Big Lake and Larry and I ended up sleeping in the van.  The wind stayed fierce all night and our little tents would have blown away for sure.

April 28, 2025  Big Lake, MO to Coin, IA

The wind fortunately was at my back most of the morning and I had some big rolling hills late in the ride.  I got on the Blanchard Trace Trail in Blanchard, IA and rode 6 miles to Coin trail head.  Rhonda, the city clerk had already let me know I could shower there and we could camp next to their city building. So here’s the rest of the story with Coin:  Suan reached out to the fire dept and asked if we could camp in their building.  Tammy, a volunteer there said of course BUT it would be better to camp in their library.  And since she was the president of the Library Board, she just made it happen.  So Larry and I checked in, me in the modern fiction aisle and Larry in the Kids section. She and her husband brought us meat loaf and mashed potatoes for dinner which we were infinitely grateful for.

April 29, 2025 … Coin to Council Bluffs

We started by driving to Shenandoah for breakfast,where they had a few restaurants.  Had a great meal at Mongos and shared our story with several people there. Mongos owner, lucas, is a big supporter and every month highights a local service member on their mantel.   A 4 ladies meeting for breakfast were smitten with Larry and all made a donation to WWP.  Super people. 

Larry drove on the Mineola IA and parked the car and headed back south.  I rode north and the trail was tiring but overall good.  Much of it was loose sand on dirt but long stretches are hard packed and smooth dirt so I made reasonable time.  At about 4pm, we got to our warm showers hosts, Gerri and Tom.  They plugged us into their downstairs and we each had a room.  We at delicious cheeseburgers and corn and sat around and talked about their Warm Showers experiences.  They are both avid hikers and are headed to Havasu Falls in the next weeks. They are hosting a 16 YO Italian girl for a year of high school.  What great people. 

April 30, 2025  Council Bluffs to Blair, NE.

I rode the old Lincoln Highway north today.  Their were some big rolling hills for the first 6 miles but the wind was at my back for much of it and made pretty good time. I decided to call and early day and catch up with this post at a McDonald’s that had wifi. We will plug into a motel in Blair and tomorrow head north and west towards Norfolk, NE and the start of the Cowboy Trail.