We did it! In each of our own ways we did our family ride this weekend for daddy's birthday called The Peddler's Jamboree! The weather was spectacular, the friends abundant and all around a really fun ride. I knew that I was going to do just the first day of the ride, more than I normally ride so I was pretty proud to do 35 miles on Saturday. My bum is a little sore, but really I feel pretty good. -excellent tip from hubby was getting a pair of bike shorts and I think for me the key was finding my perfect bike.
I did a test ride on a bike I am buying from a gal that Jody knows and it was just perfect. It is a sport dutch style Amsterdam Electra, aluminum frame, 9 speed, step through style, with wide upright handle bars- one of the most comfy bikes I have been on. Now that I am definitely getting this bike it is time to dutchify it even more and I am ordering my skirt guards, rear racks, and front wicker basket this week. I love this bike! I had it worked out with a friend of mine who had to work on Saturday but wanted to ride that she drove down with her bike and camped and then she rode back and I drove her car, my bike and Silas back to Columbia. Worked great!
Jasper amazed all of us including many folks on the ride. I think he was one of the youngest kids to ride from Columbia all the way to Boonville. On the second day I thought he would ride back with me, but he was ready to go again, and with his buddies he rode again. All total this 7 year old who has been riding on his own for less than a month rode 60 miles in 2 days! Definitely daddy's genes!
My man was awesome, he self contained gear for all of us and once on a slightly brutal hot part of the last leg of the ride on the first day even towed Jasper's bike and Jasper to give him a rest. He was a sight to see! He had a wonderful birthday and was in heaven. He definitely made his work bike work this weekend. Jody's grand total at the end of the second day was 80 miles. All in weekend's ride he said!
I drove down and picked up Jasper and met our other friends at a local river hang out spot called Cooper's Landing for some Thai food before heading back to scrub the boys and settle down for a long night's sleep!
Hope they decide to do this event again next year, good times, great tunes at all the stopes, ending with a band from Jody and my dating days called Big Smith. We even got to see a snake on the trail to coincide with our snake learning this week. At first I was pretty excited, I thought we spotted a Northern Scarlett which sighting are rare in Missouri, but I think he was actually a Red Milk Snake- he was a beauty!
Now for day of rest and relaxation before the last week of school. Hope you had a wonderful Memorial Weekend- more pictures from our ride is here-
Looking forward to some crafting time this week. Watch for some fun give-aways coming next week to celebrate my one year Etsy anniversary!
