Off the beaten path: It's not for everyone...?

Nebraska's tourism slogans have ranged from "Nebraska Nice" to "The Good Life" to the current "Nebraska: It's not for everyone." For someone like me who's only real exposure to Nebraska has been driving through it on Interstate 80 I've never put any of the slogans to the test but from behind the steering wheel of a car whizzing through what appear to be endless fields of corn I'd have guessed that I'd lean toward the latest incarnation. 

Still, thanks to an Instagram ad, I had been enticed to sign up for a two-day bike ride deep into Cornhusker territory and miracle of miracles had actually been able to convince my wife to join me. Starting in Lincoln, which is the capital, the Goldenride would see us bicycle on the Homestead Trail south to the small town of Beatrice, spend the night camping in a bucolic park and then return the way we came. 88 miles of riding over two days which by September should be eminently doable for any cyclist who has put in even a modicum of in-the-saddle training on their two-wheeled steed. And better yet, the Homestead Trail is almost pancake flat which for this Colorado boy would be a pleasant change from riding the type of Colorado terrain perhaps better suited for an elevator or ski lift. 

The ad promised sunny skies and warm - not hot - weather, live music, craft beer, delicious food, and a football watch party where the Cornhusker fans (of which there were many) could revel in University of Colorado Coach Prime leading the Buffs to their second consecutive win. I guess "Victory: It's not for everyone" also rings true for Nebraskans. But I digress...

The weather certainly lived up to the hype with temps in the 70's and low 80's, sunny skies as promised, and little wind. All in all a cyclist's dream forecast. A group of around 250 set off from downtown Lincoln not quite at the crack of dawn with most reaching Beatrice by early afternoon where we set up our tents in the very pleasant Chautauqua Park. There was even a shower truck provided complete with supplied soap and shampoo and most importantly, hot water. Food trucks were on hand to fill hungry tummies or you could take a shuttle to some of the other culinary establishments in town. All I can say is that there was a tad less corn in the fields by the end of the day. And the Tidball-Barger Band wasn't half bad either.

Did I mention beer? The free shuttles did a booming business taking folks to the local drinking establishments which I am sure were most appreciative of the unexpected but more than welcome crowd of folks a wee bit thirsty after battling 40+ miles of crushed limestone trail. Perhaps the only downside to Goldenride 2023 was that some of the already quite gregarious cyclists returned to Chautauqua Park somewhat more boisterous than when they left such that the start of 'quiet hours' in the park were delayed by an hour or two... or three. Still, I can understand they had to drown their sorrows from that afternoon's loss on the gridiron and the good news was that by next morning no one seemed much the worse for wear. 

The ride back to Lincoln was uneventful and peaceful as the miles slowly passed by beneath or wheels. The trail looked vaguely familiar from what we had experienced the day before (it's an out and back ride after all) but going the other direction one was able to glimpse nuances and perspectives different from the prior day. 

All in all, the Goldenride Bikefest delivered on everything it promised and offered a type of ride and terrain (rails to trails) not readily available in Colorado. If I hadn't been on the Goldenride I'd probably have been doing a gravel race in Gunnison that same weekend but I've got to say taking a break from the competition-focused events of my home State was a luxury much appreciated. And kudos to the organizers for putting on such a well-run event. On a spin from the new Nebraska slogan, they got it right when they advertised their ride: "Honestly, it's for everyone."

Here's a quick snapshot of what Goldenride was like: