River to Rail 2024

 September 14, 2024





Diamond Back ready to load


Cyclists arriving at the start



Steve heading for registration

One big oak tree

Dave's Raleigh, Rich's Diamond Back, Steve's recumbent

Education Center Kennekuk County Park

On our way



Headed south

Storm damage

Steve and Dave

Southbound

Bright and Beautiful day


Wild flowers abound

Soybeans

Horses



Kickapoo Park road

Along the park road


Cabin available to rent

Entering Kickapoo Park

Snake Root flowers

Flowers while Steve and Dave hike-a-bike up a steep slope

Skyline Drive in the park

Just crossed Interstate 74 --- noisy!


Headed to the Rail Trail

Rail Trail with trestle in the far distance

View of the Middle Fork River 90 feet below the trestle





Rail Trail

Cyclists repairing a flat tire

Headed west to Oakwood


Rest stop at 15 miles



Leaving Oakwood with 22 miles ahead

Headed north and soon to cross a bridge over the interstate


And then disaster happens
I had stopped at an intersection to check our route
Steve pulled up to my right on a gently sloping surface
And suddenly
Topples over to his right!
???????
Come to find out, his bicycle frame split in two!
Had that happened descending the interstate bridge, that would have been very very bad

Jagged ends of the frame could very well have impaled him
And we were a long way from 911 help
He was fine except for a scrape on his elbow
Called SAG support and they soon arrived to take Steve and broken bike back to the start
At his insistence, Dave and I continued on

Leaving the Middle Fork area, we are back to corn and beans

Power transmission lines from a now closed coal fired plant
Smoke stack in the background still stands



Cyclists pass us -- which they always do

Final mile or so back to the start

Excellent day and excellent ride except for that one part  :(

Latest word is, the manufacturer will warranty Steve's bicycle and reimburse him

Meanwhile, Steve is back on 2 wheels on a loaned bicycle   :)


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