Mills County Adventure

Saturday can mean only one thing long ride day for me.  I had this idea in my head for quite some times mills county and some loess hills action. It was supposed to be moderate day on bike about 100-110 miles, all and all good times. I posted my plans on pedal-Omaha and had five other droogs showed up for  some gravel goodness, JP, Douglas Sean, T-bone and Johnathan. It rained  right was we were ready to leave,  but it was short lived and we rolled out via lake manawa to mills county. The pace was pretty easy going for most part. T-bone decided to go and get some Shirley temples at Mineola (just kidding) and we proceed to roll to Applewood rd. Even before we got to famed Applewood rd Sean went down climbing a hill? I think I wasn’t there to see it. Proven to be a trooper he kept on soldering on with bloody knee… Chicks dig scars dude, or so I hear.

I love applewood road. It’s got some serious rollers, and with recent rain the gravel was a bit more packed down then it was 3 weeks ago when JP and I rode it. Check out this sweet hill, that pretty much sums up about 12 miles of travel eastward.   This part was not that much interesting the crosswinds were starting to pick up quite a bit and Johnathan was struggling with his 48-18, I affectionately call it I’m in my 20′s gear. Eventually we made it to American Post in Henderson, IA talked to some nice people. They would been nicer if they gave us their sweet pecan rolls but whom am I to complain.

The next stretch to malvern was really really tough, whit winds gusting up to 40 mph we journeyed on forward. I  believe the low point for everyone was road 400th. It was several miles of  MMR with maybe 4-5% climb and stiff wind in your face.   Riding single speed you had to balance your weight pretty well in order to prevent rear wheel slipping.  After constant 8 miles of southern wind I couldn’t wait to turn the corner west for some crosswind.  It was like that little cox speed boost, I went from 11-12 mph to 17 mph in no time, sweet bacon.   Malvern was great feast time. Casey’s didn’t have mac and cheese pizza (what’s up with that)  After refuel Glenwood was only 12 miles way. Glenwood was the end point for Sean, he called for ride we went on to Pacific Junction, for visit at castle unicorn B&B. (No i’m not making this stuff up) Well the Castle was just as elusive in real live as unicorn we didn’t find it. Wed did discover sweet route name Deacon rd. It’s in valley of pony creek lake, good times.  hour later we were in Omaha. Big props go to everyone who came out and battled the elements. Especially Jonathan who gridded out a hundy on uber tall gear, I believe he said something about geared bike in the future adventures.  Mills county is  pretty sweet. Ticker for the day little less then 100 about 96-97 miles

Yes, it’s true the 2010 twinsix team kits were shipped. I would say they are a great improvement from last year. It was probably not a good idea to wear all black on hottest day of the year thus far. Overall though it’s sweet looking kit for sure.  Looking at forecast for Kanza i can see that it will be a bit cooler, it’s too far out

p.s. photo courtesy of mike douglas

p.p.s. Bacon ride Sunday 6 am wohlner… meet the lincolnites for some grub.