D9 Broken Bow to Davis Creek Rec Area


Ride Video
Map

I've never worked so hard to go downhill! My endpoint was 500 feet below where I started, but in between were hills with 11% grades. It was constant too and down. Tomorrow promises more of the same but 16 miles more of it. The climbs slowed me. Yesterday I was cruising with one of my fastest average speeds even at 13.7 mph. Today it was 10.9. Humbled. 

The day began casually. I just had 50 miles which meant I could start late. I woke up around 7, puttered and ate until 9 then went to the coffee place across the street for real coffee. I talked with Barb and Mary who run the place. They love Seattle. See, someone does out here. Mary used to live in Tacoma. There's definitely a weird connection. Barb has visited for Coffee Fest. Did you know there is a Coffee Fest?
By now it was getting late. I finally got on the road at 11 am after a brief visit to the history museum, the grocery, and Subway. Immediately, I hit Highway 70 with 1 foot to no foot shoulders. It was a little disconcerting after the bike path shoulders of Highway 2. The hills, which I wasn't expecting, started right away. As I created one of the first hills, I saw my first wind farm since Idaho. After 14 miles I found a great lunch spot in Westerville.
(Lunch spot)
It was a quick 14 miles to Arcadia, which was a cool surprise with a nice vibe and five bars of LTE service. I got great advice about the gravel road from East of Aradia to Davis Creek. I hung out on the bench outside the grocery and did trip logistics. It was good to slow down. With the slower than expected travel I was a little stressed about what time I'd reach camp. I always stress too much about that. My reasoning brain said I had plenty of time.
I left Arcadia around 3:30. I put on Braiding Sweet grass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Her words about gifts and offerings were just what I needed to hear. Soon I hit the dirt road. The first climb looked steep but short. I let some air out of my tires for better gravel grip. This section was the highlight of the day, just beautiful scenery in the rollers. I was at Davis by 5:30.
Davis Creek Rec Area is beautiful and well run. It has WiFi! Cathy and Jessica watching their kids/grandkids at the playground helped me navigate the less well organized tent reservations and gave me quarters for the shower. I Kimmerer wrote that gifts invite relationships. Even though I won't see them again I felt that truth.  
I got my tent set up, took a dip in the reservoir even though it probably has ag runoff. I have a beautiful site right on the water. The tent sites are set away from the RVs and closer to the reservoir. Tents not an afterthought. Nice! I relaxed, ate, and wrote this. Good night! 



Comments

  1. LaurelSeptember 17, 2023 at 6:57 PM

    I continue to enjoy your adventures thru your photos, writings and map! I have not been in that area of Nebraska. I did a double take of your top of the page photo of your bike on the gravel hill as it looks like the gravel road that goes thru my family’s farm in Iowa. 🌾🌾 Keep enjoying your travels and experiences, TJ.

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