Date: June 2-3
Route: Heritage Farms to Turkey Hollow
Miles: 83
Elevation: 2,000ft Gain
Weather: Warm during the day. Cool at night.
Mood: Tired-Sore
Highlight: Meeting up with the guys from last year’s trip on the Katy Trail in MO.
We woke up at Heritage Hills Campground after a cold night on the Christmas tree farm. The temperature was likely in the mid-40s when we woke, and neither of us had sleeping bags rated for that kind of weather. I slept reasonably well, but Eddie spent much of the night cold despite borrowing some of my long johns. I really need to invest in both a cooler weather sleeping bag and a bag liner.
The campground was beautiful. Heritage Hills is an active Christmas tree farm and offers primitive camping for cyclists. While there was no running water available, they did provide electricity near the host station, where we charged our e-bikes overnight. The campground also featured one of the best bicycle repair stations we encountered on the trail, complete with tools, lubrication, and maintenance equipment.
As usual, we started the morning with coffee and oatmeal. Eddie brought his AeroPress and stainless steel filter, which became part of our daily routine. Everything was soaked with dew, so we packed wet tents and sleeping gear before rolling out around 8:00–8:30 AM.
Through Amish Country
Day two would prove to be our longest and most difficult day of the entire trip. Because we needed campsites with electricity for our e-bikes, our options were limited. We had approximately 83 miles to cover before reaching Turkey Hollow Campground.
The trail took us through some beautiful Amish country. One of the biggest surprises was the number of Amish riders using e-bikes. Many were towing trailers and moving remarkably fast. We even passed Amish-owned businesses that specialized in e-bike repairs and sales.
The scenery throughout the day was outstanding. Rolling farmland, quiet roads, horse-drawn buggies, and small communities made for an enjoyable ride despite the mileage. We stopped for an amazing lunch and had delicious lattes and cappuccinos as well.
An Unexpected Reunion
One of the highlights of the trip happened today.
While riding, Eddie noticed a group of older cyclists and thought they might be the same group we met the previous year while biking Missouri’s Katy Trail. I didn’t think it was possible.
We passed them several times throughout the day before finally stopping at the same pavilion to rest and charge Eddie’s bike.
Sure enough—it was them.
The group immediately recognized us from our shuttle ride on the Katy Trail the year before. We spent nearly an hour talking, catching up, taking photos, and sharing stories from our rides.
It was one of those unexpected moments that make bicycle touring special.
Battery Anxiety
The hills on day two were more significant than on day one. We stopped twice to recharge Eddie’s e-bike battery.
At lunch, we found power and charged for approximately an hour. Later in the day, we stopped again at a pavilion for another charging session.
While the battery ultimately made it to camp, it became clear that battery range would be one of our biggest challenges for the rest of the trip.
The Amish Buggy Highway
One memorable section of the trail looked almost like a divided highway. One lane was primarily used by bicycles, while the other side accommodated Amish horse-drawn buggies.
The horse traffic had worn visible grooves into the pavement from years of hoof traffic. It was fascinating to see how the trail naturally adapted to both modern cyclists and traditional transportation.
Arriving at Turkey Hollow
As the day wore on, fatigue began to set in. After more than 80 miles, we finally reached the turnoff for Turkey Hollow Campground.
What I didn’t realize was that the campground sat at the top of a steep gravel climb.
Apparently, the campground instructions recommend taking an alternate route to avoid the hill. I never read those instructions.
The gravel was loose, and the grade was steep enough that neither of us could comfortably ride our loaded bikes. Even with electric assist, we ended up pushing them uphill.
The climb felt endless.
By the time we reached the top, we were exhausted.
Thankfully, the campground itself was worth the effort.
Turkey Hollow offered primitive camping, electricity, water, firewood, and even a basic cold-water shower. After such a long day, it felt luxurious.
We built a fire, cleaned up, and settled in for the evening.
People We Met
That evening, we met Terry, a retired attorney traveling on an REI Co-op bicycle. Terry was friendly, thoughtful, and someone we would continue seeing several times over the next few days. We learned that Terry is a follower of Jesus, too, and we shared the stories of how each of us came to Christ.
We also met a couple traveling in a Mercedes camper van who were on their way to Colorado.
One of my favorite parts of bicycle touring is how quickly strangers become friends. Nearly every campground brought opportunities to hear someone’s story.
Day 2 Statistics
- Start: Heritage Hills Campground
- Finish: Turkey Hollow Campground
- Distance: Approximately 83 miles
- Weather: Cool morning, pleasant riding temperatures
- Trail Conditions: Mix of paved trail, roads, and Amish country routes
- Biggest Challenge: Long mileage and steep gravel climb into camp
- Highlight: Reuniting with the Katy Trail riders from the previous year
Lessons Learned
- Long e-bike days require careful charging planning.
- Read campground instructions before arrival.
- The OTET’s Amish country section is one of the most memorable portions of the entire trail.
- Unexpected encounters with other cyclists often become the best memories.
- Eighty-plus miles is near the upper limit of what I enjoy touring in a single day.
Tomorrow’s ride would be much shorter, taking us from Turkey Hollow to Mount Liberty Berry Barn.
Quick Gear Note
Worked well today: My charging cord does a great job giving the battery an extra boost for an hour.
Needs adjusting: I need to distribute the weight on my bike better. The Level 3 cannot carry any weight at the front of the bike. Everything was on the rear rack. When I bike tour with my Giant Escape hybrid next year, I need to get some small front-fork bags and better-quality panniers for the rear. I’m thinking Ortlieb 40L rear folding panniers.
Estimated Temperature
- High: 77°F
- Low: 49°F
Toby DeHay 