I Want to Ride My Bicycle...

11. Go on a winery bike ride...check!

That's right, another week and another item checked off the list. In a way I feel as if I'm celebrating my 30th birthday for a year straight, which is pretty awesome! Just yesterday was the long awaited winery bike ride. After polling the crew and picking a date earlier this year, we were locked and loaded for June 4th - a bicycle ride along the Missouri River on the Katy Trail to the wineries in Augusta, Missouri.

We met at the Page Bridge Missouri River Crossing at a commuter lot by mile marker 42.8 on the Katy Trail at 9:45am. Darnell, Hille, Lugge and I geared up and were on the trail by 10:00am. It was the beginning of a pretty scorching day temperature-wise in St. Louis. The high was 98 degrees F! Thank goodness for the shade along the trail, the steady breeze in Augusta and the refreshing cooling effect of riding a bike 15mph.


Geared up and ready, then hit the trail!

After biking what turned out to be two hours and 25-27 miles, we arrived at our destination in Augusta at noon. First stop was the Augusta Winery which was just up the hill as we got in town. It didn't take long before the group was sampling wine in order to pick a bottle and then on our way to the outdoor garden which had a nice view of the landscape. I was so excited to have other (non-biking) friends meet us there. Soon-to-be parents, Jessica and Tim, came out and so did the always dependable Meena. They even had snacks, which was excellent thinking and very much appreciated after our journey!


First stop - Augusta Winery

Through the grapevine (get it?!) we heard that Steve Ewing was playing at Mount Pleasant Winery at 1pm that day, and as luck would have it that was exactly the time at the moment. As many of us were tried and true Urge fans back in the day and have been known to see Steve Ewing play regularly at his monthly Tin Can shows, we had to check it out. A quick Google map search showed that our hike would be a whole 157 ft away (ha!) so we packed up and re-located to Mount Pleasant for some Steve Ewing jams.

As usual, Steve's music was spectacular, and it was extremely hard to leave. But we had another 25+ mile bike ride ahead of us and had to fuel up (and buzz down) with more than just wine for the road.


My buddy, Steve

So it was on to the last stop in Augusta which was the Augusta Brewing Company. We grabbed some lunch and pitchers of their Blond and Hefeweizen. Overall, a pretty nice tour of Augusta, Missouri and an extremely scenic and fun-filled afternoon.


Last stop before the journey back - Augusta Brewing Company

I don't recall exactly what time we rolled out for the journey back (4-ish?), which is a good indication of my mental state at the time. About seven miles back on the trail we stopped at the biker bar in Defiance for a couple of beers and some Ray LaMontagne on the digital jukebox. At that point, I think we were all dreading the remaining 20-ish mile journey back. That, or we just wanted to extend the good times a little longer. Or, likely a combination of the two...


Biker Bar in Defiance

But - we made it back! Although it was the first time I've busted my bike out all year and I was nervous about my 28mm road bike tires lasting without busting, we did it! Albeit, we were all probably a little tired and a lot dehydrated at the end, it was a good time had by all.


Some highlights along the route

It was also agreed that 50+ miles was too long of a bike journey to include a winery stop. Riding four hours plus is nothing on RAGBRAI or at the MS150, but when there's some concentrated drinking going on (particularly in the middle of a hot St. Louis day), it seems the key is moderation...on the riding, that is.

Next time (and there will be a next time), we'll make the ride shorter and likely start from Weldon Springs. Oh, and I'll also remember to bring the music. :-)

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