One Stop, Three Badges

In my last set of stories from May 28, I accidentally overlooked one more which occurred the very next day, on the 29th. I'd been wearing my new Garmin Forerunner 55 watch regularly for the past few months, and with it comes a set of monthly challenges one can voluntarily accept to earn badges for activities. One badge I'd been eyeing for the entire month was in play the very weekend I was making stops along the Missouri River, and it happened to be a 40-kilometer bike ride (about 24.9 miles). So I decided, after driving to all those other stops, to make my last of the month locally, along the Billy Wolff Trail, at the Hub Cafe. First, though, it was time to step up to the challenge. I set out early, hitting the trails from Holmes Lake south on the Billy Wolff, east of Menard's on 91st/Highway 2, then westbound to the Jamaica North Trail from South Pointe. When you have a backpack on carrying your U-lock so you can later secure your transportation, it's not as light as you'd like. But I pedaled persistently, and continued sweating out the miles, salt forming on my face when the sweat began to dry. Working my way up to the Haymarket, around the home of the Huskers and Salt Dogs, and swiftly through the North Bottoms neighborhood I trekked. As I rounded the Bob Devaney Sports Center, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. To the Billy Wolff Trail once more I returned, which would eventually lead back home a few more miles down. First, however, I could only imagine, but almost taste, a much-needed brunch as a reward for the quad-burning I'd committed myself to only two hours earlier. As I braked for the Hub Cafe and parked my gang green-colored Bianchi Volpe road bike, I glanced at my Garmin, noticing it just turning over to 25 miles. Challenge complete! Now, for the appetite replenishment! With a short glance and without much thought, I ordered the Hub Skillet, which consisted of a hot, cast-iron skillet with seasoned potatoes, ground sausage, grilled onions and peppers, kale, and feta cheese, topped with an egg and a roundish slice of toast. While a Fat Tire would be an appropriate and fitting beverage, I learned they serve primarily local brews, which they rotate, so I went with a Zipline Kolsch, and I wasn't disappointed. The food is locally sourced, and tasted oh so splendid, especially after logging in all those miles! On my return, I confirmed I earned not one badge, but three: the 40k, a 500-foot climb badge during the ride, and one for a 20-mile ride in a single activity. One passport stop, three badges. Not bad for a stowaway stop I forgot to mention in my slew of stories only one day earlier. But it's often quality, not quantity, that counts, as did the Hub Cafe for me. It's something to think about if you cannot or wish not make many stops, as I found even if it's only one that day, you can still make it meaningful!