The Trail Less Traveled - The Hamburg Trail

The Trail Less Traveled - The Hamburg Trail

I had some business in Augusta, Missouri this morning, so I threw my Dahon folding bike into the back of our Honda Element and headed out Highway 94. At Defiance, I got on the Katy Trail intending to get a few miles in on this beautiful morning. About 2 miles north of Defiance, I came upon the Hamburg Trail. I thought it looked like something worth exploring, so I turned west off the Katy Trail and started up the gradual incline. Because it is less traveled than the Katy Trail, the trail surface was rough in spots. Most of it consists of an old service road and there are occasional ruts and loose gravel. In the shaded low-lying areas, there are still some soft wet spots in the trail. I probably gave my folding bike more punishment than it was designed to handle, but it did well. I am always impressed with the performance of the Schwalbe HS 338 Big Apple tires. They handle great on almost any surface.

The Hamburg Trail is an 8 mile side trail that leads from the Katy Trail to the Interpretive Center. This trail runs through the Weldon Spring site to the wildlife-rich August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area.

A few miles down the trail, I came upon the Weldon Spring Site.  Managed by the U.S. Department of Energy, this sites has a Disposal Cell that contains 1.48 million cubic yards of low-level radioactive waste and chemical waste. From 1941-1945, as part of the World War II defense effort, the U.S. Army produced explosives at Weldon Spring Ordnance Works. In 1955, the Army transferred approximately 200 acres of site property to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) for construction of the Weldon Spring Uranium Feed Materials Plant. The plant processed uranium ore concentrates and a small amount of thorium between 1957 and 1966. In 1985, the site custody was transferred to the Department of Energy (DEO) to conduct a major operation that would clean up the contamination left from the site's prior activities. Hence, the Disposal Cell. Known by some locals as the radioactive tomb.

According to the information that I gathered at the site, the viewing platform on the top of the Weldon Spring disposal cell is the highest accessible point in St. Charles County. The pictures and video do not do justice to the magnificent view!

This a view of the disposal cell from Google Earth - It is even larger than it appears from the ground.

View of the cell from the Hamburg Trail

My GPS indicated that it is just about 1/8 of a mile walk from the bike rack at the bottom of the cell to the observation platform at the top. There are 48 large steps to the top and then a continued incline to the observation platform.

48 large steps to the top of the Disposal Cell

  I had the privilege of climbing to the top twice this morning, because when I came down the first time, I realized I had left my sunglasses on a bench at the top.

Back up the steps to retrieve my sunglasses.

You can learn more about this fascinating, historic site HERE.

 Since I had already spent more time on the trail than I had planned, I made my way back to Defiance after a quick stop at the Weldon Spring Trailhead.

Turning around at Weldon Spring

Sometimes the trail less traveled reveals unexpected surprises!

Therefore You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 2 Samuel 7:21

Pedaling in Petra

Pedaling in Petra

As I indicated in my first blog post, when I am in between bike excursions, I would like to use this blog space to recommend some books related to bicycling that I have enjoyed. 

One of my latest acquisitions, is a large volume by Sophie Binder entitled - THE WORLD, TWO WHEELS & A SKETCHBOOK. This beautiful book is the product of her 14 month bicycle ride around the world during which she sketched the people, places and things she encountered. The book is beautifully done in full color and the text accompanying her art work tells the story of her journey. When I heard of her trip and her book, I purchased it immediately. 

This past July, Mindy and I had the privilege of meeting Sophie personally at the Deer Run Library in O'Fallon, Missouri. She was there for a presentation and book signing. We heard her tell of her bicycle journey around the world and the nearly ten year process of getting her wonderful book published. 

Bruce and Sophie Binder

Petra in Jordan

During her presentation, she told of her camping experience near Petra in Jordan. This would be a daunting experience for anyone, but especially for a woman traveling alone in a foreign country. Her artwork of Petra captures the beauty and the mystery of the place. 

From page 111 of Sophie's book

I doubt that I will ever ride my bike in Jordan and I certainly will not ride around the world, but I did have the opportunity to visit Petra in Jordan in 2009. 

Bruce in front of the Treasury in Petra 

View my video of my walk through the nearly one mile long gorge as I entered Petra for the first time.

Having purchased her book, having heard her tell of her journey, I would wholeheartedly recommend that you take a look at Sophie's book. The St. Charles County Library system does own a copy at the Deer Run location. You can find it here.

You can find Sophie and current information about her book and appearances on FaceBook - The World Two Wheels and a Sketch Book   Check it out! 

Tower Grove Farmers' Market - Saturday Morning Bike Ride

Tower Grove Farmers' Market

This morning we rode in the Tower Grove Park area and visited one of our favorite places. The Tower Grove Farmer's Market. It is held in the park from 8:00 - Noon on Saturday mornings during the market season. This year, like last year, they have extended the market season until November 22, which is the last Saturday before Thanksgiving. So you still have a number of weeks to visit this exciting community gathering. In addition to produce, prepared food and crafts, there is live entertainment from some really good local groups. It is a fun gathering of families in the Tower Grove area and many of them come by bike! 

You can get all the information about the Tower Grove Farmer's Market here ---

http://www.tgmarket.org/index.php

As we move toward the last couple of months of the market, you will also enjoy the changing of the leaves in Tower Grove Park. The wide variety of trees planted in this beautiful, historic park makes for a magnificent display of God's handiwork. You can certainly enjoy a bike ride or walk on the over 3 miles of trails in the park. (If you must drive, that's ok too. Just take the time to look around!)

Cruising the Tower Grove Area After a quick stop at World's Fair Donuts, we headed over to the Farmer's Market. Since Boyd and Caleb had not ridden in this area before, we took our time to do some sight-seeing. I have attached some random shots of some of the things we saw. 

Entrance to Flora Boulevard

The "Magic Chef" Mansion

Someone is ready for Halloween!

These nice folks let me try out their hot rod!

Beautiful shot of the ruins in Tower Grove Park.

This is my favorite tree in the park. 

Boyd, Dave, Caleb and Me

We enjoy riding with Boyd.
No one seemed to ride too close!

Missouri Botanical Gardens
Caleb had never been to the Missouri Botanical Gardens. We took the time to stop in and walk around the Gardens. We tried to give him enough of an overview so that he will want to bring his family back and explore some more. It is one of our favorite places.

Caleb got to meet Henry Shaw

Waterfall in the Climatron 

You can learn more about this fascinating structure at: Climatron

We also stopped for lunch at the Hartford Coffee Company for lunch. They have a great menu and the friendly folks always provide prompt courteous service. Here is a sample of what we enjoyed.

We had a full morning. We only covered about 20 miles but we enjoyed the time. Looking forward to our next excursion. 

The Taming of the Bicycle

The Taming of the Bicycle by Mark Twain

Taming the Bicycle

A few years ago, I purchased a 48 inch Penny Farthing. Also known as a Bone-shaker or High Wheel. It is the most intimidating bicycle that I have ever ridden. I finally was able to get on it and keep it going. Getting off of it still is the biggest challenge. For that reason, I am pretty careful where I ride the bike. I like to have plenty of room with no traffic to be able to "land" safely. 

You can see my early experience on this bike here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlzMZzOyf1Q

In 1884, Mark Twain wrote the little piece that tells of his experience on a Penny Farthing. He was not a young man when he tried to master this then, newfangled machine. Anyone who has tried to ride one of these bikes, can relate to Twain's experience. Keep in mind, they do not call the bikes that came later, with two wheels of the same size, "safety bikes" for nothing!

You can read his experience with the high wheel bicycle here:

http://www.online-literature.com/twain/1323/

You can listen to an audio reading of this title on YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5G4PYEUf5s

170th CONSECUTIVE day of riding.

This morning I hit my 170th CONSECUTIVE day of riding since April 1st. I started riding with 30 Days of Biking and just kept going. My current goal is 182 days. That will give me 6 months of riding without missing a single day. So far, I have been able to maintain an average of 23 miles a day. Here is the breakdown so far  . . .

30 Days of Biking

           Miles per month                        Days in Month

April           719.53                                 30

May 617.7 31

June 736.05 30

July 832.75 31  

August 708.46 31       Total at the end of August = 3614.49

Sept         345.17 (as of Sept 17)   30

(Sept. 17 - 170th day) 3959.66                 Average 23.2 per day

Only 12 more days to hit 182 consecutive days (6 months)

Good Bicycle Travel Book - Check it Out.

Reading Tom Bruce's book on the beach in Florida.
If you can't ride around the world you can read about
someone who has. 

When I am not able to be out on the bike, I enjoy reading books about traveling by bicycle. Some of them are so interesting that even my wife who does not ride, has read an enjoyed them as well. From time to time I would like to recommend some of the books I have enjoyed the most.

The first book I would like to recommend is the one pictured above. I enjoyed book so much that I wrote a review for it on Amazon. I include that review here ---

Thoroughly enjoyed this great cycling adventure. Even a non cyclist will enjoy this exciting travelogue.

By Bruce Chulkaon October 22, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

As an avid cyclist myself, I have read a lot of bike touring books. For me, Tom Bruce's EVERY INCH OF THE WAY is one of the best. This young man's attitude toward the adventure and his ability to describe it, makes for a very exciting read.

Early in the book, he draws the reader in when he writes: "All you need is a bike and the courage to leave your home. Even a weekend trip on a bike with a tent enables you to forget everything else and escape the hectic schedule of the real world." (Page 5)

He not only shares the physical challenges of the journey, but the emotional ones, as well. Before long, you feel as if you are traveling along with a new friend. He skillfully shares the spotlight of the story with the numerous cycling companions he travels with along the way. His descriptions of the places he visits and the people he meets is really a very interesting travelogue. Even a non-cyclist would enjoy reading this book.

Though the writer generally downplays the physical stamina and courage required to make such a trip alone, I think he sums up the rewards of such an adventure in this paragraph: "There is something special about riding a bike through a desert. Yes it's a massive physical and mental challenge. The heat is torture and the lack of changing horizons makes it difficult to persuade yourself to keep going, but there is something so simple and pure about surviving in this vast landscape. It is just me against the world and nature. I had challenged myself and found myself equal to the challenge. . . ." (Page 80)
For me, what he writes about the ordeal and rewards of crossing the desert alone, sums up what is required to complete this entire incredible journey.

This is a great book. Well written, humorously dealing with the challenges of strange lands and cultures. A good cataloging of a great adventure. I can't wait until his next book is out!

If you like a well written travel adventure, you will enjoy this book. Check it out. You can find it on Amazon both in paper back and in Kindle format. 

First Blog Post

Riding with my grandson. My favorite type of bike ride.

This is my first post on my new blog. I hope to use this space for sharing my bike riding adventures. I always enjoy reading about other people's excursions as they travel the country by bicycle. Though I may not embark on a round-the-world journey or even a trip across the Unites States, I have enjoyed seeing many exciting things and meeting many interesting people on my bike trips in and around St. Louis, Missouri.

Perhaps some of the pictures I post, will encourage other riders to visit some of the many interesting places in the St. Louis area that are easily accessible by bicycle. Our area has many miles of bike paths, bike lanes, and bike routes that allow you to see out great city in a way you would not be able to see it by automobile.

I am the pastor of Hope Bible Church in O'Fallon, Missouri and enjoy riding with a number of folks from our church. We have explored many of the historic areas of our community and always enjoy trying new eating establishments. So, if something you read here will cause you to visit a new area or location, I will feel that these posts will be of some benefit. If you are riding (or driving) in the O'Fallon, MO area please visit one of our services. You can find the time of services and location at www.hopebiblechurch.com