The Katy Trail is a bike and walking path that goes east to west across the state of Missouri. Most of it winds along the Missouri River, mostly made of dirt and gravel with a few trestle bridges. Along the path are bathrooms, small towns, busy cities, and scenic stops. My goal was a little town of 200 people called Augusta, to just go there and back.

Well, I left at 1:30p and did a lot of stopping for rest and scenic enjoyment. By the time I reached Augusta, the sun was setting. OOPS!

I could have checked into a small inn, but decided to get back on my bike and pedal my butt off, with no stopping for 12 miles. Unfortunately, the sun was setting pretty quickly. I couldn't see a damn thing and felt defeated. I ended up walking for a couple hours back to where I parked my car.

I also had no idea where I was, since my phone was dying and didnt have enough juice to run the GPS.... and I was STARVING. I thought that maybe I could sleep on a bench and wait until morning, but a wolf might eat me.

Anyway, I made it home late and never felt more relieved. Next time, I'm going to leave earlier or plan my route to include an overnight stay.

Or... buy a bike headlight.

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GORGEOUS weather the afternoon I loaded up my bike and drove to the trail.

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Defiance, MO. A town called "Defiance" in the "Show me" state. How fitting. Note the street name that ends with "Bottom" -- a sure sign of rural Missouri.

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My $20 Craigslist bicycle. It had one gear when I bought it, but with 5 minutes of work I now have three.

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Matson, MO

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Daniel Boone historic site

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Weldon Spring conservation area. This used to be a nuclear dump.

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Bike helmets have always looked gay.

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Old concrete silos.

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Bajillion year old farm house.

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Missouri River

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I sat there at the river throwing large rocks and boulders at the sheets of ice, trying to get them to break apart, move, and melt. Its a game I call "GLOBAL WARMING"

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Augusta MO. Population 218. It was a full-service town with a brewery, bar, library, convenience store, gas station, post office, and fire department.

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I stopped at a little convenience store and bought some drinks and a bag of chips. I was SO hungry at that point. I must have been the first brown people these friendly folks have seen in decades.

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A B&B

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Another B&B

Overall, a fantastic ride, even though my legs are killing me. I plan on doing it 2-3 times a week.

Holy **** man, did you bike across the state of Missouri? Looks like fun though, wish I could do any sort of outdoor sport in this weather! BRRR!

That looks like a lot of fun. That picture with your bike helmet makes it look like Toad from the old Mario games was with you! ;)

Holy **** man, did you bike across the state of Missouri? Looks like fun though, wish I could do any sort of outdoor sport in this weather! BRRR!

LOL! No. Like 25+ miles round trip. My goal is to get half way across at some point and maybe take the train back.

Dude...that thing with the bike helmet right after the pic of the nuclear fuel dump... Local mutant or what?!?

http://www.localarcade.com/arcade_art/data/thumbnails/2/toad.gif

Meet my brother!