St Charles to Machens
I probably have ten or more pictures of this spot. Spring, and Summer, and Fall, riding out the five or so miles from St Charles to rest on the bench, eat a quick snack, soak in the peaceful flow of the river.
There’s not a lot of traffic this way.
Even on the first gorgeous days of spring, most riders are heading west and while walkers and joggers tend to stay closer to town.
Most
Often, the trail is closed for the next mile or two
Spring floods of thick Missouri River mud
Bury the path in nearly impassable goo
It’s clear today, though. The river flows gently well below the mud-washed elevation sign and coaxes me on through alternating stretches of woods and sun baked fields, bursting with endless wildflowers.
A sudden washout just before Machens, and a trio of downed limbs I’d hauled my bike over near Black Walnut, encouraged me to experiment with riding back partially along the road.
Black Walnut road parallels the trail with multiple easy access points. It was a smooth easy ride with little traffic aside from a couple other bike riders, until I slid back onto the trail and into St Charles.
Rambling ... 