Katy Trail Update [This Post Written and Edited by Doug Lybeck]

July 19, 2009

Well we’ve had another hilarious and amazing day out on the Katy Trail out in Missouri. We’ve met back up with the Kiwi’s, Heather and Jackson, Dave (from Idaho), and a couple of new guys who are sponsored by the beer company that brews Fat Tire beer. The last two always seem to have plenty of free beer. :-)

This afternoon we only put down about 70 miles, and traveled from New Franklin to the small town of Tebbets, Missouri. We rolled into town and were greeted by the friendly locals, and were quickly directed to the “Turner Katy Trail Shelter,” which is a low cost hostel for bikers. It’s a HUGE converted house right in downtown which is now equipped with over 30 bunk beds, amazing hot showers, a kitchen, and a couple great porches on which to socialize with the DOZENS of other locals and travelers.

Turner Katy Trail Shelter.
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Within about a half hour, Jim, the local ‘retired’ bartender swooped around the corner in one of his four 1920’s vintage Ford Model T’s and offered each of us a ride around the small town. The model he had out today was the 1922, two seat convertible (Jim’s personal favorite). It seems his aim was to get everyone in town to come out to Karaoke at the bar with him. Jim is a character, and he’s hard to say no to. When we arrived at the bar later in the evening we were greeted with confederate flags, pictures of eagles, old beer posters, and even a full-size set of fake breasts which sang a country twang of “Titties and Beer.” This place was everything you imagine middle America to be. I cringed when I looked at a large bottle of Budweiser on the bar which had the following hand written label attached: “OBAMA Beer! Not to dark, not to light. Just right” Jim poured another beer and quickly reassured me that he had indeed voted for Obama, something I’m still not entirely convinced of.

Jim the bartender took us all for rides in his 1922 Ford Model T All Photos
It turns out that gag jokes are Jim’s amusement of choice, and walking into his bar is like stepping into his own little playhouse. In one corner he has an “electric chair” set up, which is essentially a full-sized “hand buzzer” joke. He delighted in making Heather squirm with discomfort as he tied her into the contraption. He ducks back behind the bar, and comes out moments later dressed as Mickey Mouse, simply to prove the point that he hasn’t the slightest clue what he is talking about. The jokes continued seemingly indefinitely until we decided to head back over to catch some sleep for tomorrows ride. This place will certainly be memorable.
Heather in the Faux Electric Chair. Jim's Bar, Tebbets MO. All Photos





A dog jumped in front of my bike, causing me to endo and break my trailer. 2 hours to fix. :-(
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