 Self portrait on the move, enjoying the mild conditions and ideal riding conditions  Competitors waiting to compete outside stadium |
 Mounted six gun shoot competitor, leading at the time the photo was taken |
14/8/2011 Clinton to Sedalia, perfect day
D64,T3.3, Av 18.27, T 4204
No adrenalin charged procession of the hunted and the hunters came by last night, a great sleep was enjoyed. Up early I packed and headed the half kilometer to the Katy Trail head.
Reading the placards explaining etiquette etc., I headed east, it was a pleasure, crushed limestone, at least 4m wide and ever so slightly sloping in places.
It was well sign posted with mile markers and placards explaining any other points of interest.
Arriving at Windsor some volunteers were cleaning the toilets etc. Stopping to talk ,they had Gatorade on hand to give to cyclists which was most unexpected and accepted with thanks. We chatted for about half an hour about all sorts of topics.
I had heard the Missouri State fair was being held in Sedalia (equivalent of the Sydney Easter Show). Sedalia was about 19 miles from Windsor an easy passage.
The ride was superb, with trees overhanging the trail and at one point a doe and two fawns ran down the trail ahead of me. Squirrels were in abundance organising their food supplies for winter. The temperature was about 24 degrees with light wind, ideal.
Arriving at Sedalia, the trail was alongside the fair grounds, it was a big deal with a huge paddock full of RVs with the hum of generators the most prominent sound.
Going in one of the enterances for camping, I stopped to yarn to the attendants, this took some half hour. They said this area was safe, however I needed to check for myself. On conferring with some campers, they said it was the first time in 16 years they had been the victims of theft, beer was the booty and carnys were the culprits they explained. Thats all I needed to know. If viewing the fair was to be enjoyed, the security of a motel would make it even moreso.
I headed into town and booked the most expensive night yet at a Super 8 motel. Bloody luxury with breakfast supplied.
Showering and tidying up a short walk was between myself and the event.
Of most interest were the livestock displays, there were mules, donkeys ,the whole gambit.
I have never seen cattle so pampered ,they had their own cooling fans. Some were having a blow dry with a vacuum cleaner. Their owners were the essence of rural life in Missouri and ever so friendly.
Many of these pampered beasts were going to be steak within ten days they informed me. Oh well five days of this treatment has got to be better than a whole life in a feed lot.
Going on, the mounted six gun shooting contest was under way. This was something to behold. Everyone around the stadium who was competing was in full western regalia. Girls as young as 13 were competing. The quarter horses they all rode were superb looking animals. All competitors had two six guns, Colt 45s in most cases, these were real guns, though for the event they used cartridges that fired sand to burst balloons in the covered arena.
Grabbing a seat in the stands, the skill of the riders and horses amazed me. They had to, as fast as they could shoot 10 balloons mounted on stands in 3 rows within the soil clad arena.
Riding at full speed on the last straight while controlling the horse and firing a pistol accurately was a spectacle. The crowd loved it.
This whole scene was so authentic, they had the best western saddles and well worn leggings, classic boots and topping it off were well worn cowboy hats. Some competitors were in their 60s.
A young guy I spoke to was leading at the time, emptied his 45 and gave me a bit of a play. Accuracy he said is doubtful beyond 20 odd metres.
The prevoius night Lynard Skynard were scheduled to play ( who’s left of them) but pulled out due to illness. The lineup tonight was country, it was decided to pass.
I’d seen enough and meandered back to the motel and kipped
D64,T3.3, Av 18.27, T 4204
No adrenalin charged procession of the hunted and the hunters came by last night, a great sleep was enjoyed. Up early I packed and headed the half kilometer to the Katy Trail head.
Reading the placards explaining etiquette etc., I headed east, it was a pleasure, crushed limestone, at least 4m wide and ever so slightly sloping in places.
It was well sign posted with mile markers and placards explaining any other points of interest.
Arriving at Windsor some volunteers were cleaning the toilets etc. Stopping to talk ,they had Gatorade on hand to give to cyclists which was most unexpected and accepted with thanks. We chatted for about half an hour about all sorts of topics.
I had heard the Missouri State fair was being held in Sedalia (equivalent of the Sydney Easter Show). Sedalia was about 19 miles from Windsor an easy passage.
The ride was superb, with trees overhanging the trail and at one point a doe and two fawns ran down the trail ahead of me. Squirrels were in abundance organising their food supplies for winter. The temperature was about 24 degrees with light wind, ideal.
Arriving at Sedalia, the trail was alongside the fair grounds, it was a big deal with a huge paddock full of RVs with the hum of generators the most prominent sound.
Going in one of the enterances for camping, I stopped to yarn to the attendants, this took some half hour. They said this area was safe, however I needed to check for myself. On conferring with some campers, they said it was the first time in 16 years they had been the victims of theft, beer was the booty and carnys were the culprits they explained. Thats all I needed to know. If viewing the fair was to be enjoyed, the security of a motel would make it even moreso.
I headed into town and booked the most expensive night yet at a Super 8 motel. Bloody luxury with breakfast supplied.
Showering and tidying up a short walk was between myself and the event.
Of most interest were the livestock displays, there were mules, donkeys ,the whole gambit.
I have never seen cattle so pampered ,they had their own cooling fans. Some were having a blow dry with a vacuum cleaner. Their owners were the essence of rural life in Missouri and ever so friendly.
Many of these pampered beasts were going to be steak within ten days they informed me. Oh well five days of this treatment has got to be better than a whole life in a feed lot.
Going on, the mounted six gun shooting contest was under way. This was something to behold. Everyone around the stadium who was competing was in full western regalia. Girls as young as 13 were competing. The quarter horses they all rode were superb looking animals. All competitors had two six guns, Colt 45s in most cases, these were real guns, though for the event they used cartridges that fired sand to burst balloons in the covered arena.
Grabbing a seat in the stands, the skill of the riders and horses amazed me. They had to, as fast as they could shoot 10 balloons mounted on stands in 3 rows within the soil clad arena.
Riding at full speed on the last straight while controlling the horse and firing a pistol accurately was a spectacle. The crowd loved it.
This whole scene was so authentic, they had the best western saddles and well worn leggings, classic boots and topping it off were well worn cowboy hats. Some competitors were in their 60s.
A young guy I spoke to was leading at the time, emptied his 45 and gave me a bit of a play. Accuracy he said is doubtful beyond 20 odd metres.
The prevoius night Lynard Skynard were scheduled to play ( who’s left of them) but pulled out due to illness. The lineup tonight was country, it was decided to pass.
I’d seen enough and meandered back to the motel and kipped
