My best friend from childhood, Wade, came to visit and made the mistake of bringing his e-bike.
So naturally, Kim and I decided the proper way to welcome him to Iowa was to punish him with a 60-mile bike ride.
Welcome to Iowa. Now pedal.
The plan was Ankeny to the Whistling Donkey in Woodward, with a few important watering stops along the way. It was one of those gorgeous Iowa days that makes being on a bike feel like exactly where you are supposed to be.
Kim and I were on our regular pedal bikes. Wade had the e-bike.
This distinction becomes important later.
The real High Trestle experience
We worked our way across the High Trestle Trail with stops at the Oasis, the Nighthawk Lounge in Slater, and of course a couple of bridge beers at the big bridge.
If you are going to introduce somebody to one of Iowa’s best rides, you might as well do it properly.
The High Trestle Trail Bridge is one of those places that never really gets old. Beautiful trail, big Iowa sky, that incredible bridge stretching over the valley — and this time I got to share it with two of my favorite people.
Woodward or bust
We made it to the Whistling Donkey in Woodward, which for Wade was already turning into a pretty monumental ride.
For Kim and me, it was basically a normal day with snacks and beer.
For Wade, I am pretty sure questions were starting to form about whether bringing that e-bike to visit us had been a terrible mistake.
And then the batteries died
By the time we finally got back home, every battery involved in the day was dead.
Kim’s battery: dead.
My battery: dead.
And especially Wade’s bike battery. Very, very dead. 😂
Kim and I may ride regular bikes, but apparently the human batteries have limits too.
A ride I will remember
For us it was a typical adventure. For Wade it was a monumental ride, and that made it even better.
I loved getting to share one of our favorite Iowa experiences with a friend who has been part of my life since we were kids. Sixty miles, a few beers, a spectacular bridge, some questionable decisions about battery management, and a whole bunch of laughing along the way.
And of course Kim made the whole day better. Her smile and infectious spirit have a way of turning a good day into something you remember.
Spending a beautiful day on bikes with my two best friends? That is pretty hard to beat.
I loved it! and at the end of the day I pedaled a 80 lb brick for 17 miles that counts for something in my book! lol!