15/8/2011 Sedalia to Tipton
D72, T3.52, Av18.6, Total 4276. Overcast perfect riding conditions 25℃
I took full advantage of the complimentary breakfast and the checkout time of 1100hrs, leaving the establishment at 1130 hrs.
My first destination was to the Katy Trail information centre which was housed in the old station. The woman there was most helpful, we had a great chat together for sometime, unfortunately the trail books were on back order so making do with the brochure I already had in my possession would suffice.
Obtaining a map of Missouri, my intentions are to head south and tour for a few days in the lake of the Ozark region. Tony implied it was well worth a visit. I had time on my side, so why not.
The idea was to leave the Katy at Pleasant Green and head south with my first stop at Tipton.
The old brick wall fronted up near Pleasant Green, fuel was required in the bod. Stopping on the trail which at this point only a couple of people had been encountered, I set up my cooker and prepared, prep was minimal, canned peas, canned salmon and pasta liberally laced with Tobasco, great stuff. This was savoured with a cup of tea.
Another rider stopped for a chat as I was eating, he gave me directions which was so timely as the road to Tipton was not notated as it intersected with the trail, these were tertiary country roads.
It was nice to get back on the Black top, car numbers were slight and with undulating hills a bit of free wheeling was possible, something not available on rail trails as they are generally flat.
The roadside scenery to Tipton was that of corn, soya beans, silos and mixed pasture, what’s new? Having said that, the fact that I had never been by this way before made it all interesting.
Arriving in Tipton at 1800hrs a decision to eat and nest here was made.
I picked the wrong diner, in hindsight not asking someone put me at a table with less than desirable food, first and last time.
I found that camping at the fair ground was allowed, seems to be the case in most of these small towns ( Tipton 2500). Arriving there a shelter was spotted about as big as a tennis court and littered with park benches.
The palace was erected beneath this. The toilet block was locked but power and water were on tap. If it rained, getting wet was of no concern.
The palace was held in place using the park benches, the bike and bricks as guy anchor points. The occy straps held the ground peg holders in place.
A guy and his child came by and said I could use their ablutions which I kindly thanked him for and said it’s ok.
Feeling relaxed and secure, I hit the nest knowing any impending weather was not going to be an issue.
I am now totally at ease with this nomadic life that requires little resources. Unlike early in the journey, there is no anxiety about the nights accommodation, Unless it is in the middle of a town, all that is required is a small piece of flat ground unseen from the road, it is as simple as that. At a moments notice the ability to stop and camp offers a freedom unknown to me prior to this journey.
Even though the shelter floor was constructed of concrete, the down mat offered the now familiar comfort, sleep came easy.
D72, T3.52, Av18.6, Total 4276. Overcast perfect riding conditions 25℃
I took full advantage of the complimentary breakfast and the checkout time of 1100hrs, leaving the establishment at 1130 hrs.
My first destination was to the Katy Trail information centre which was housed in the old station. The woman there was most helpful, we had a great chat together for sometime, unfortunately the trail books were on back order so making do with the brochure I already had in my possession would suffice.
Obtaining a map of Missouri, my intentions are to head south and tour for a few days in the lake of the Ozark region. Tony implied it was well worth a visit. I had time on my side, so why not.
The idea was to leave the Katy at Pleasant Green and head south with my first stop at Tipton.
The old brick wall fronted up near Pleasant Green, fuel was required in the bod. Stopping on the trail which at this point only a couple of people had been encountered, I set up my cooker and prepared, prep was minimal, canned peas, canned salmon and pasta liberally laced with Tobasco, great stuff. This was savoured with a cup of tea.
Another rider stopped for a chat as I was eating, he gave me directions which was so timely as the road to Tipton was not notated as it intersected with the trail, these were tertiary country roads.
It was nice to get back on the Black top, car numbers were slight and with undulating hills a bit of free wheeling was possible, something not available on rail trails as they are generally flat.
The roadside scenery to Tipton was that of corn, soya beans, silos and mixed pasture, what’s new? Having said that, the fact that I had never been by this way before made it all interesting.
Arriving in Tipton at 1800hrs a decision to eat and nest here was made.
I picked the wrong diner, in hindsight not asking someone put me at a table with less than desirable food, first and last time.
I found that camping at the fair ground was allowed, seems to be the case in most of these small towns ( Tipton 2500). Arriving there a shelter was spotted about as big as a tennis court and littered with park benches.
The palace was erected beneath this. The toilet block was locked but power and water were on tap. If it rained, getting wet was of no concern.
The palace was held in place using the park benches, the bike and bricks as guy anchor points. The occy straps held the ground peg holders in place.
A guy and his child came by and said I could use their ablutions which I kindly thanked him for and said it’s ok.
Feeling relaxed and secure, I hit the nest knowing any impending weather was not going to be an issue.
I am now totally at ease with this nomadic life that requires little resources. Unlike early in the journey, there is no anxiety about the nights accommodation, Unless it is in the middle of a town, all that is required is a small piece of flat ground unseen from the road, it is as simple as that. At a moments notice the ability to stop and camp offers a freedom unknown to me prior to this journey.
Even though the shelter floor was constructed of concrete, the down mat offered the now familiar comfort, sleep came easy.