Never the Same River Twice

A Techie With Difficulties

I still managed to drive back home without switching the GPS tour tracker on my phone off, this reduced the mileage listed on the map of our trip (left) by 7.8 miles. So, instead of 14 miles we only rode 6.2 miles.

If you look at the inaccurate visual aid, to the left, we rode from the “A” in the black dot to up north toward “Saint Charles”.

Accidental Attendance of Oktoberfest

We rode from the Family arena in St. Charles, MO on the infamous Katy Trail
up north to Old Town St. Charles. The Oktoberfest was in full swing in Old Town
St. Charles, but there were no interesting pictures to take of a mass of
Americans binging over-priced beer, pretzels, and sausages.

While I am talking down on them I’d like to mention that at this time a couple of years ago I attended that party. I drank a few beers while pushing my son around in a stroller. I would like to share that I had a great time, and although it was not inherently bad, I felt much better after a bike ride and a lot of ice water in my mouth.

Video Evidence of Our Ride

Never the Same River Twice

You can step in the same river twice but it will never be the same river. This ride runs alongside the Missouri River. I prefer this accidental experience of Oktoberfest from the outside looking in. Then the planned one where I was included in the shenanigans. This just felt better in my soul. I am not saying that Oktoberfest is a bad choice, many times it is.

However, I will share that the time I did go I had a shocking image presented while leaving. There was a couple, a mom and dad, who had probably had a bit too much to drink. Their child was strapped into a very cheap “umbrella” stroller and was screaming to get out. The child was desperately pushing up from the stroller with all their might and had been when I walked up and stood and watched, while my crew caught up. The child was still desperately trying to get out of the stroller when I walked away. Throughout the whole event, all the parents did was yell at the child without even looking at them.

I am not saying that this type of experience is inherent with children at an Oktoberfest party. However, I will say I did not experience that type of scene while riding my bike through the same environment. Sure people were aimlessly walking on the Katy Trail oblivious to their surroundings and mad when I called out “On your left”… but this only confirmed that I was in the right pair of biking shoes and on the right path for my family.