Show your 2013 summer adventures (picture thread)

[emily_in_nc]

I agree with everyone else about RebeccaC's photos -- looks like a professional photographer. Wow!

Mine aren't nearly so good, but here are a handful from our "urban adventures" here in the KC area. We've been riding everywhere!

After a grocery store run, we determined that we can bring home a 12-pack of double-roll Charmin in our two backpacks.
Attachment 16358
Visiting one of the neighborhood "Little Free Libraries" -- leave one, take one. So cute!
Attachment 16359
After getting my hair cut and styled at the Mitsu Sato Hair Academy -- amazing place. I knew it would never look this good again so asked DH to take a photo before the helmet went back on...
Attachment 16360
At the post office
Attachment 16361
Cool art at the Leawood City Park as we rode the bike path through
Attachment 16362

[colorisnt]

KC looks fun How big is that park? At some point this summer, I would like to ride in Forest Park in STL but we'll see if anyone dares come with me. I'm not gonna do it alone.

I am getting all prepared for my Canadian bike adventure. Beginning Sunday, I am driving through Canada. Stopping in Ottawa to do some work and ride my bike. I mapped out a "safe" route according to the Ottawa bike map to get me to a shop in Gatineau. It's right off the path that runs along the river and will allow me to be able to say "I rode my bike to Quebec and bought xyz". I'd love to get a cool jersey while up there. It's no big achievement with me being behind the Rideau Centre for my time there but it will SOUND important. Small victories.

[Anelia]

Last week we went to an event at the seaside. I both rode a bike and ran. After that we had a great time at the beach and the hotel. Here are some pictures
colorisnt, I've been to Ottawa 5 years ago. I lived in the capital and I studied in Gatineau. I wish I could visit Canada again in summer (I was in January-May). Have a nice trip!

[emily_in_nc]

KC looks fun How big is that park? At some point this summer, I would like to ride in Forest Park in STL but we'll see if anyone dares come with me. I'm not gonna do it alone.

The park with the art is Leawood City Park and according to the website is 66 acres (http://www.leawood.org/parks/citypark.aspxa), but riding the trails through there was just a small bit of our ride, which started and ended on roads and in the middle included a long trail section through several parks. We've been really pleased with all the paved bike trails here, some many miles in length.

[Caren]

This is my second favorite spot, that's a killer trout stream. Sadly it's privately owned so you can't fish it at all, but there are a few places you can stop and see them hanging out around the bridges. So neat!

[colorisnt]

Anelia,

I've been looking forward to it since I decided to drive. It seems awesome! Last time I was there, I noticed all the cyclists- brave ones because it was November!

Those beach and stream pictures look beautiful

[Caren]

Wow, those are beautiful! I love the beach : )

[emily_in_nc]

Yesterday we rode part of the Katy Trail, from Sedalia, MO to Windsor, MO and back. About 43 miles round trip as we did a little extra riding around Windsor. It was our first time on the Katy, and we had a blast. If you'd like to see a slide show of our photos, I've put them up on Photobucket here:

Katy Trail Slideshow

We can't wait to go back and do more!

[Deborajen]

Looks like a fun day trip! There's so much to explore out there - all the history in the towns, the trail history, nature, scenery - A friend from work rode part of the Katy several months ago. She started at Sedalia and went east, I think. They stayed at B&B's and spent a lot of time exploring the towns. I've never been, but it sounds awesome.

So how was the trail for riding? We seldom ride anything but pavement, but I've heard the Katy is pretty nice.

[eofelis]

Sheep Creek Geological Area loop road. Flaming Gorge Reservior area near Manila, Utah.
A 22 mile ride with a big climb, and a big descent!

[emily_in_nc]

Looks like a fun day trip! There's so much to explore out there - all the history in the towns, the trail history, nature, scenery - A friend from work rode part of the Katy several months ago. She started at Sedalia and went east, I think. They stayed at B&B's and spent a lot of time exploring the towns. I've never been, but it sounds awesome.

So how was the trail for riding? We seldom ride anything but pavement, but I've heard the Katy is pretty nice.

We are mostly pavement riders too, but we rode our mountain bikes, so it was fine and quite comfy to ride on. Very finely packed limestone. Saw at least a couple of people riding what looked like road bikes -- probably more of the cyclocross variety with slightly wider tires. Would not want to ride a 23c-25c tire on it. We saw a couple of recumbents but mostly mountain bikes. It was a very quiet day on the trail, being mid-week. We probably only saw about 10 other cyclists in our five miles total on the trail (including stops).

We're hoping to ride the entire trail eventually -- probably in the fall, though. The hottest part of summer is upon us, and there are plenty of areas with limited or no shade. We will probably plan on a credit card tour and stay in hotels/b&bs. We did pass one guy riding a full-loaded mountain bike (tent, etc) and saw a couple of other loaded bikes.

[indysteel]

DH and I did an end to end tour of the Katy in September of 2011. Some sections are better than others, as are the towns along the way. I liked Rocheport and Hermann. Clinton, Sedalia and Augusta were pretty meh to, well, god awful. If I had to do it over again....I wouldn't. I hate to say that because I know a lot of people who really love the Katy. We were decidedly underwelmed. Now, if I just rode a section here and a section there, I'd probably like it, but a weeklong trip was way too much for us.

[emily_in_nc]

DH and I did an end to end tour of the Katy in September of 2011. Some sections are better than others, as are the towns along the way. I liked Rocheport and Hermann. Clinton, Sedalia and Augusta were pretty meh to, well, god awful. If I had to do it over again....I wouldn't. I hate to say that because I know a lot of people who really love the Katy. We were decidedly underwelmed. Now, if I just rode a section here and a section there, I'd probably like it, but a weeklong trip was way too much for us.

Wow, that's interesting, indy. I have been reading a blog/report (mostly photos, some text) of a couple who did the entire thing in six days and absolutely loved it -- so much that they went back and did it again. I'm curious what you didn't like about it. I need to be prepared since we're currently thinking about doing the entire thing.

Here's the couple's report I mentioned in case you'd like to compare to your experience:
http://www.loveofbikes.com/featured/katy-trail/

I have only read their 2010 report so far; have not read the 2011 one.

Thanks in advance for any insight you can offer!

[rebeccaC]

This past two days of riding on a trip I had planned for the previous weekend. Los Olivos to Santa Maria and back the next day. Via Foxen Canyon Rd, Tepusquet Canyon Rd for the climb, State Route 166 ..........and a couple of side roads when I needed to calm down from riding on 166

first day

[rebeccaC]

second day