Double Chancy’s Century

Rode my first century of the year with my friend Lori. We’d only planned for 50, maybe 70 miles, but as we finished up our 70-mile route, we realized that conditions — mild temperature, light wind, reasonable humidity — made for ideal century riding, so we went ahead and extended our route to 100 miles.

Even though I’d not ridden over 50-ish all year, the ride was completed without injury or undue stress. Yay, fitness!

The route was one that Lori and I had ridden before, several times in fact. We loaded up the bikes and drove to Moran, had an early lunch at Chancy’s Grill and Shake, then headed north on US-59 highway, a lightly-traveled rural route. We had a bit of a tailwind to start, so rolled on through Mildred without stopping, took a bit of a pause at Kindaid, then rode east to Blue Mound, where we stopped in at the Feed Lot Cafe for a brief repast, before continuing to Mound City. After a nice downhill into town, and a refill at the Casey’s General Store, the route took us south and then west. There’s a stiff little climb as you leave Mound City, then it’s rolling hills through Mantey, Mapleton, and Xenia. We paused again at Bronson, before riding back into Moran. After another burger at Chancy’s we decided to keep going. US-54 west to Iola, then piddling around a bit in town, on the Prairie Spirit, Southwind Rail Trail, and Mo-Pac Trail, and we had our 100-miler in the books.

Here’s the route, courtesy of Strava:

15.9 MPH was a solid average speed. I was riding my Nashbar gravel bike, and Lori was on her Cannondale road bike. It was an excellent start to the month of June!

In other news, my running continues: 50 miles for May! Bike numbers were good, too: 719 for May. Feel like I’m finally back to where I need to be on the bike, and this century confirmed it. Life is good at the moment. 🙂

Randy and Lori on US-54
Brilliant clouds and sunshine
Roadside flowers are beginning to pop!
DirtBum Written by:

I enjoy riding bicycles all over -- city streets, suburbia, rural roads, gravel roads, dirt roads, rail-trails, and singletrack. I love exploring the countryside and finding the interesting and historical treasures hidden in plain sight. You can follow my rides on Strava.