Yesterday, Saturday, October 6, 2018, my oldest son and youngest daughter joined me in finishing the KATY Trail in Missouri. Ben rode the first 70 miles with me earlier this year, then Megan rode with me from the beginning of the trail in Clinton, Missouri, to Defiance, Missouri. We all wanted to make our way to the end, so we picked up the trail in Defiance again and rode to the opposite end of the trail in Machens, Missouri. Since there really isn't any place to park at the end of the trail, we doubled back at the end of the trail to the next to last trailhead at Black Walnut where Susan picked us up.
The trail from Defiance to Machens is mostly flat, so we were able to make good time except for one place. We averaged over 12 mph (I slowed everyone down in the pace), though there was one stretch where we averaged over 14 mph. The trail was great until we got east of St. Charles. Whoever was in charge of the trail dumped about a foot of finely crushed limestone all the way to Machens. The crushed limestone was just a little larger than sand. Even walking on it was a challenge. There were places along the trail that our trail bike tires simply sunk down into the limestone causing us to lose control of our bikes. I nearly crashed two or three times because of the "improved" condition of the trail. We all commented that it was worse than a 35 mile section of trail that was primarily uphill. It required every ounce of muscle we had to slog through the limestone on the trail. It was so bad that people we met along the trail were turning back, refusing to force themselves any further.
When we got to Black Walnut, about 3.1 miles from the finish and the point where we were going to be picked up anyway, we considered just quitting, but then we knew if we did that we would regret quitting before the end and that we would never be able to say that we went end-to-end. We pushed on.
Within minutes of leaving, a severe storm fell upon us from the west. Tree branches were literally flying across the trail. Some landed on the trail while others flew completely over the trail at about five or six feet above the trail. As I rode on I was grateful that I was wearing a helmet, but nothing would have prevented a limb from flying into me, possibly impaling me in my chest. In spite of the lose crushed limestone, the wind was so severe that it would push my bike toward the edge of the trail. We pushed on.
Eventually, we saw the end trailhead at Machens. Again, we considered our options. Finding it would be difficult without clear directions. The wind was letting up, so we decided to return to Black Walnut. We rode fast and furious. The return 3.1 miles didn't seem as bad as it was when we were headed out to Machens, but then it began to sprinkle and then rain. Never did anything look as sweet as the trailhead at Black Walnut.
Susan was there and we were able to load our gear in and bikes onto the car. We rode home wet, but no worse for wear.
As I contemplated our ride, I couldn't help but think about how disappointed we would have been had we turned around like other bikers did when they first encountered the foot-deep crushed limestone. Then, as the end came into view more discouragement was heaped upon us. Then as we headed to our final destination, the place where we would find final shelter, the winds returned with rain. It was as though everything conspired to discourage us, but we persevered. We finished the course.
I think that life is often that way. Sometimes we get bogged down in the thickness of life. We move forward with every ounce of strength we have. We swerve. We stumble. Sometimes we crash. Then, as you think the end is in sight, even more challenges can fall upon you. Yes, you can quit, but if you do, you miss completing your destiny.
We were all tired. Exhausted. Sore. But, we finished. We met our goal.
Not only that, but we did it as a family.
