The Big Rub 2025 Draws 164 riders

The third annual “Big Rub” bicycle race was held Saturday, with 164 cyclists taking part in the gravel race that covered parts of northeast Pettis County.

Race Director Chris Franklin spoke with KSIS about the event.

“I do have a number of volunteers helping with registration and setting up the course,” Franklin said, adding that some of his guys went and out and mowed part of a hay pasture to allow cyclists to ride through a field adjacent to the Katy Trail (with permission from the land owner, of course). But most of the trail consisted of gravel roads.

The route took riders (escorted by SPD Officer Overstreet) east on Third to Engineer to Reine to Greisen to the Katy Trail. Then on the Katy Trail past Shaver Creek.

After crossing the field, riders are eastbound on Providence Road towards Otterville, then north towards Pilot Grove. Then west and back south towards Clifton City. That brings them back to the Katy Trail and headed back to Sedalia to the Katy Depot, 600 East Third, where the start-finish line is located at 4th and Thompson Avenue.

“It’s pretty difficult, and very challenging,” Franklin stated when describing the 100K route. The 50K route (30 miles) splits near Butterfield, Hogan and May Roads. Those riders return via May Road then to Providence.

The 25K “Fun Run” is almost all Katy Trail terrain, Franklin noted.

The Big Rub “is designed to make it really accessible for everybody,” Franklin said.

The 25K Fun Run is for beginners and covers about 18 miles.

“If somebody is a beginner, 18 miles is a long way on a bicycle ride. I remember my first race I ever did, it was 20 miles and it took me four hours, and I was sore for two weeks afterwards,” Franklin recalled. “But it was fun. It was a good challenge.”

He added that “people get excited about accomplishing things that seem difficult,” Franklin said, “so that’s kind of the draw to these types of events.”’

He noted that most riders who compete in these types of events have a dedicated bike suitable for gravel. “Basically, it’s like a road bike, with wider tires, is what it amounts to.”

The start of last year’s event was postponed two hours after a thunderstorm moved through the area. “So we started a couple of hours late. So that made it extra challenging. People came back covered in mud, but they had a good time.” Franklin recalled.

So this year we had the thunderstorm the night before so it’s nice & cool today.

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The number of riders this year was up 40 percent over last year’s 116 riders. In 2023, there were only 38 participants. “We had a good time, so we tried it again, got the word out, and people wanted to come check out a Missouri gravel bike race,” Franklin said. “And we’ll do it again next year on the 11th of July.”

Getting food trucks to appear at The Big Rub was difficult this year due to Kurtfest taking place in Green Ridge the same day. “I wanted to get some here, but everybody was already booked. I waited too long,” he said.

Participants received handmade pottery created by Smith-Coton art teacher Josh Heimsoth. In 2023, artist Barney Knight volunteered to make the pottery. But the next year, Knight was booked up and couldn’t deliver for the Big Rub, so Franklin sought out Heimsoth, who was Franklin’s son’s art teacher a few years ago.

“That’s one of the things that draws people to these events. It’s a lot nicer than having a wall full of trophies,” Franklin noted.

Riders were treated to live music provided by John Kennedy as well as hot dogs and brats grilled on the scene at the Katy Depot.

Two cyclists drove all the way from Hot Springs, Arkansas to take part in The Big Rub.

Josh and Drea Poteete spent five-and-a-half hours on the road to get to Sedalia, and stayed at Hotel Bothwell, 4th and Ohio.

We spoke with Drea after the Poteetes completed the course. He took the 100K while she rode the 25K.

“My husband and I have ridden the Katy Trail before. And unbeknownst to us, I was a month pregnant the first time. And we really enjoyed it. We had a local bike shop in Hot Springs for eight years, we just closed it. Spa City Cycling. We found this gravel ride online and we signed up,” Drea said.

“I was so glad to, because I love looking at the history of buildings and all that it has to offer, with the Katy Trail and the restaurants as well,” Drea said. “Let me tell you, I have fallen in love. I posted on my Facebook last night about how awesome everything is, and how I was getting distracted from riding my bike, because I had to stop and read everything with al the history and thing that are available for us to know.”

Drea, 43, also said she enjoyed seeing all the rabbits, birds and wildflowers along the Katy Trail, mentioning the Blackeyed Susans in particular.

“It was absolutely perfect weather,” Drea noted.

She mentioned that their six-year-old boy races dirt bikes. “I will give his daddy credit for that,” Drea said, adding that Josh also races dirt bikes and finished second in the Tulsa Tough event. “He also does a lot of the gravel races.”

The Poteetes, who have been married for over 11 years, don’t mind driving great distances to reach the bike races like The Big Rub. “We’re used to it,” Drea said.  However, “traveling five-and-a-half hours this time pushed it a little for me this time, but man, was it worth it.”

Josh booked the Hotel Bothwell, because he knew his wife would love it. She posted several photos on her facebook of the Bothwell, including selfies at the main entrance, the elevator, the piano, the old-school telephone and the floor tiles, as well as photos of the Trust Building, the Pettis County Courthouse, the Sedalia Public Library, the Uptown Theatre, the Bichsel Clock and Sacred Heart Church.

“I just assumed that the railroad brought every body here, but it was cattle,” Drea said of Sedalia’s origins.

Sedalia, Missouri, was founded in 1857 by General George Rappeen Smith. He initially named it Sedville, but it was later changed to Sedalia. The city developed along the Missouri Pacific Railroad right-of-way and was incorporated in 1860.

Mrs. Arkansas 2016 also ran a fitness studio. “We just try to stay active you know, and keep going. As long as you keep moving…” Drea said of her family, and plans for them on Sunday called for riding dirt bikes once they get home to Hot Springs.

Drea is also a runner who has competed in numerous events.

Drea’s final words in the interview encouraged others to visit the State Fair City.

“Come to this ride. Come eat. And come and see this beautiful, historic city. The Katy Trail has so much to offer,” Drea said, adding that when they rode the Katy Trail previously, they experienced Boonville and Columbia. “Do your research, because you will be so impressed.”