Getting Warmer

Ride Stats:
distance (miles) - 24
average speed (mph) - 9.35
elevation climbed (ft) - 1261
calories burned (kcal) - 1840
temperature - 85

This is a view from the highest point in the city, looking North. The river is a mile or two beyond the city skyline. There's about 500 ft of elevation change in that 4 or 5 miles, which makes for some excellent workouts.

Cliff Drive is a park that is closed to traffic on weekends and encompasses about a 7 mi stretch of wooded bluffs overlooking the Missouri River. There were freshwater springs in this area that these roads were originally built to access; first by indians, then settlers, and eventually automobiles. Consequently the roads are laid out with a gentle slope and follow the natural contours of the land. Ideal for hauling water, and for biking.

The muddy Missouri. Too thick to drink and too thin to plow. That's why those freshwater springs were so important. There is a nice bike path along the river here for a few miles. Rode a total of 24.3 mi with 1261 ft of climbing at an avg of 9.35 mph and burned up 1840 kcal. Temp in the mid-80's.

Earlier in the day I was hugging the curb a bit too close in deference to the traffic, which is where the dangerous debris lurks. I've become way too comfortable riding over small stuff with this bike that I used to ride around. Anyway, a good size stick jumped up into the back of the front fender and possibly the spokes. Fender popped out of the sockets like it was supposed to. No visible spoke damage, but the fender struts were bent. Straightened them by hand, reinstalled the fender and continued on my way. Nice to know the fender design of popping loose if something gets jammed, actually works.