Finishing something that has been anticipated and occurring for the duration of a long bicycle tour is certainly bittersweet. The satisfaction of accomplishment is something to treasure. The tolerance of those who put up with it and are impacted directly by it is very special. The support of those who care about you is inspiring. The self indulgence of such an endeavor, as much as it does still require some discipline and sacrifice, is something to ponder. But, life is short as we learn each day. I believe it is permitted to be a little self indulgent once in a while.
In many, many ways this was a great trip. It was uncertain, after two surgeries for a torn quadriceps tendon in 2008, that I would be capable to complete it. I have been. The weather, as it turned out, was great. There were several hot humid days but one learns to deal with that and on a bike, except when climbing a hill at 4 to 8 miles an hour, you create your own breeze. I have taken to wearing long sleeve shirts to tour in when I am in the sun all day. I find the sun beating on my arms saps my strength and it is not that much cooler to have bare skin. I had essentially no rain in 24 days of riding on this trip. Other touring cyclists are sick to hear this. I had one day out of Cascade, IA where the day was thick with fog and dampness, but no real rain. I had about 5 minutes of riding in the rain when I met Jim in Cave In Rock, IL. We had about 30 minutes of showers when riding from Bardstown, KY to Harrodsburg, KY and wore rain jackets for about 15 minutes of that. Riding along the Mississippi had long miles of spectacular vistas and great roads. The river is a mighty force and it is fun to flow with it. The small and medium sized towns along the river are historic and unique. Crossing the Ohio on a ferry, much better than the Missouri crossing on a bridge by the way, as you are going the same speed as the cars, is a kick. Observing the size and scope of these tributaries to the big river makes the Mississippi that much more impressive as it moves south.
The real experience of bicycle touring however, aside from the physical act, is the people you meet. My riding partner for the last 5 days, Jim Smith is a great fellow traveler. He is navigationally challenged and so I am somewhat surprised he found his way to our meeting point in Cave In Rock, but he is always good for a story and is very knowledgeable on many subjects and we are very compatible as to riding style and preferences. It is great to ride with someone when you are compatible. It makes the trip much better. Those you meet along the road are the real joy in this kind of travel. Those who truly want to help you and tell you their story, feed you, give you a bed to sleep in. Those who sign up for Warm Showers to host cyclists are special people and much appreciated. All of this is daily a revelation. True there are those who have other feelings about cyclists on the roads but they usually go away quickly in their speedy vehicle of motorcycle.
There were many more cyclists heading west than I have encountered before because of the time of year where those who started on the east coast were in the area we were riding in. It was a treat to stop and have a chat. I met riders from Germany, Holland, Belgium, Korea and the US.
This trip I also had more encounters with dogs than before. This is a scary prospect for many cyclists and I have had to learn from others and from experience how to deal. I found that it was easier than one might imagine. Rick McFerrin, world cycling tourist and friend, taught me to just slow down. My dog Chance taught me to just say NO with authority. It works when you are on a bike too. Most dogs chase out of instinct, not aggression and when they are aggressive you need to resort to other means. Never needed to on this trip.
So, as my Aunt Barbara says, I could write a book but this is enough for now.
It is good to be alive and thinking about getting back to real life.
-30-
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Beautiful beyond words
This blog posting is way overdue. However, it comes at a very good time. My trip is over and I am entering this in my brother and sister-in-law's incredibly beautiful new home, which they designed and have built (with a lot of help) themselves. So the end of the trip is in this fantastic structure and the ending of the trip has a beauty all it's own. I am frankly surprised I made it and feel as good as I do. The satisfaction of having accomplished it and of being here to see what Jack and Linda have wrought is quite overwhelming. But I digress and there is lots to tell of the times since I last was able to tell you about the trip.
I left my adequate digs in Ozara and rode through some more hilly and lovely country in Missouri until the last downhill on to the flood plain of the Mississippi River near Chester, IL. The day was fantastic at the beginning but became hot and humid, as were most of the days of the trip. Crossing the bridge at Chester can be a challenge if there is traffic but since I was doing it on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, there was none. Only one car passed me as I rode the half mile or so across the river. I stopped at the little park and tourist welcome center on the IL side of the bridge to rest, eat a banana and note the impressive flow of the river as it passed by the bridge pilings. As usual it is a long up hill ride from any river or stream and this was no exception in Chester. Got to the top and took a picture of the 'Home of Popeye' sign and rode on. The riding was good to excellent and the hills were more civilized than those in Missery. While sections of Missouri are beautiful, the hills are tough.
One section of this ride to finish in Carbondale, through Wine Hill was especially nice. You approach the area on a long gradual curving uphill with small country churches ahead and then take a turn to a long down hill and flat section of riding which was just a treat. I stopped in Ava for lunch with about 20 or so miles to go to Carbondale. Had a Sunday buffet of meatloaf, green beans and mashed potatoes. Good country cookin'. Left town anticipating my arrival for a rest day.
This was a very frustrating section of road. It was not too hilly. The road was smooth as silk, nearly brand new. The problem was that they had put a shoulder of about 3 ft on the road, enough to be adequate to ride and feel comfortable with passing traffic, but RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE SHOULDER WAS A RUMBLE STRIP!! DID YOU HEAR ME ILLINOIS HIGHWAY ENGINEERS? Put the strip, if you must have one, next to the white line to be a barrier between vehicles and cyclists, not down the middle where it forces cyclist in to the roadway. DUMB. So there.
Murpheysboro, IL was the next obstacle between me and my rest day. It is only about 6 miles from Carbondale but it seemed much longer. I was really in need of a rest. My legs were burning with each uphill. I felt I had no power left. I had not had a day off for two weeks, although some days were short, none were particularly easy. My map directions through Murph were a little hard to follow, so that was frustrating. Then, while on a longish uphill section outside of the town I had my most difficult run in with dogs. Two big ones came to greet me and they were not looking for a pat on the head. One was named Maverick and I did not catch the other name. No name was the more aggressive one. I have found that almost always, unless you are on a downhill and can outrun a dog, the best approach is to slow to a stop or nearly stop and just say, very authoritatively, NO!. Most dogs are not really aggressive and they respond. These two did also but as soon as I would move they would be right back. Their owner was in the yard. After a few attempts to leave slowly, with barking and chasing in each case, I told her I would wait until she put them in the house. She said they did not go in the house. Well, until you tie them up then. I do not tie them up, she said. I told her I was on a public roadway. She said there was no law that she needed to restrain her dogs. What a jerk. Finally I was able to move slowly away. The last frustration of the day was that my map directions were off by about 2 miles for the turn to go to Carbondale. Finally got there and rode through town to my Super 8 motel, believing I would have a compute and could do all the stuff I needed to do. No computer but that made for an even more restful rest day. As I was arriving and registering, a group of 4, 3 guys and a gal arrived as well. They too were cycle touring, cross country, east to west and were taking a rest day as well. Turned out they were the group who had voted another rider I met earlier in the day off their group. I really did not pursue that story. Not my issue.
The rest day was Memorial Day. I thought there would be nothing to do and no chance to get some things done like a beard trim and haircut. Well, I was immediately across from the big mall in Carbondale and there was a haircutter open and plenty of airconditioned space to walk around in. I had a great rest day. Only disappointment was I could not find a postcard so I could send some to let some folks know where I was. And of course, no computer to use.
When I left on Tuesday I was uncertain how my legs would feel after not riding for a day. I was pleasantly surprised and felt stronger than ever. It was good too because I had some challenging road. The countryside was very nice. One road I remembered from 2005 was Wolf Creek Rd, for two reasons. Hills and long horned cattle. In IL! Who knew? I remembered the long horns and it seemed like the same one was standing next to the fence as I rode by. The hills are interesting because they roll on one after another, short, steep hills for at least two miles. The road is straight so you see them all lined up in front of you waiting to greet you.
That night I stayed in Golconda, IL on the Ohio River. I found a place which turned out to be houses which were the homes of lock and dam workers when a lock was located there. It is gone now but the town businesses bought and restored them and use them for vacation rentals now. It was very nice and I felt good to support a small town's attempt to stay alive. Had a double bacon cheeseburger at the Sweetwater Tavern that night. Do not know whatever possessed me to do that. After a hot hard day it went down pretty easy though.
The next day was the rather shorter ride in to Cave In Rock, IL where I was to meet Jim Smith so we could ride across KY to Berea together. Made another stop which I had made in 2005 in Elizabethtown, IL, again right on the Ohio R. Had a nice breakfast in the cafe, talked to an old-timer down at the pavilion on the river and got some good stories. It was another hot humid day and thunderstorms were predicted for the afternoon. Met two westbound riders who told me that the campground at Cave In Rock S.P. was over-run with mosquitos. That was disappointing to hear since Jim and I planned to camp. I arrived before Jim in town and went to the park lodge which rents cabins. They were full so I called the motel in town. $34/night. I had a 'you get what you pay for feeling' but felt it was the best option and rode there, forgetting to leave my phone number with the cabin people in case of a cancellation. Got to the motel, took a room, sat in its musty smelly air and got the idea to call the cabin people again. They did have cancellations and I ate the $30 I paid for the motel room and took off for the park just as the big T-storm approached. As I rode in to the park there was Jim in front of me. I called him and told him to follow me and we rode through the start of the rain storm to get registered. Cabins were great. Storm passed and next day was great as well. We took the ferry across the Ohio to KY, rode to Marion for a great breakfast and then on to Sebree where I had stayed in the First Baptist Church bicyclists hostel in 2005. Had a great stay there. Met 3 others who were east to westers, father and son from Holland and Keith from Colorado. Had some nice exchanges with them about their experieces which had been uniformly positive. One such experience had occurred the evening before when a couple who tried to connect with them but it did not work out to stay at their place, came to their campground, picked them up, took them back to their house for dinner and then took them back to the campground. We took their name, gave a call and made plans to stay with them the next night.
Beth and Garry Feltus are two of most generous and welcoming people I have ever met. They both love cycling and they have a cabin on the farm they are building which can accommodate traveling cyclists. They moved from New Jersey a few years ago and are working to make something good on a farm in rural KY. We rode over some extra hills to get there but it was worth it. Wonderful dinner, conversation, Yuengling beer, breakfast and best of all a ride in a truck to get us back on route and several miles ahead of our schedule. Got us to a point where we could make it to Bardstown the next day. We had a fun ride down a long downhill in to Howardstown and then a couple big hills in to Bardstown. Learned at a convenience store that there was a Bluegrass festival at a campground we considered and that cinched it for us. Jim loves Bluegrass. It was fun.
Next day was on to Harrodsburg past the Lincoln birthplace and homestead park sites and a fine day of riding. It was cloudy to start and rained later and then a cold front pushed through which promised to make our last day of riding the most pleasant yet with sun and high of 80.
So it was. A fantastic day of riding. Finishing with the 2 mile climb up Big Hill out of Berea to Jack and Linda's. I sit here now in their wonderful home with a view of the ridge beyond and purple and pink skies as the sun sets.
This has been a great trip. Think I will stop here as I am about out of gas for today and can add more thoughts later.
Sorry this is so long.
More later.
I left my adequate digs in Ozara and rode through some more hilly and lovely country in Missouri until the last downhill on to the flood plain of the Mississippi River near Chester, IL. The day was fantastic at the beginning but became hot and humid, as were most of the days of the trip. Crossing the bridge at Chester can be a challenge if there is traffic but since I was doing it on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, there was none. Only one car passed me as I rode the half mile or so across the river. I stopped at the little park and tourist welcome center on the IL side of the bridge to rest, eat a banana and note the impressive flow of the river as it passed by the bridge pilings. As usual it is a long up hill ride from any river or stream and this was no exception in Chester. Got to the top and took a picture of the 'Home of Popeye' sign and rode on. The riding was good to excellent and the hills were more civilized than those in Missery. While sections of Missouri are beautiful, the hills are tough.
One section of this ride to finish in Carbondale, through Wine Hill was especially nice. You approach the area on a long gradual curving uphill with small country churches ahead and then take a turn to a long down hill and flat section of riding which was just a treat. I stopped in Ava for lunch with about 20 or so miles to go to Carbondale. Had a Sunday buffet of meatloaf, green beans and mashed potatoes. Good country cookin'. Left town anticipating my arrival for a rest day.
This was a very frustrating section of road. It was not too hilly. The road was smooth as silk, nearly brand new. The problem was that they had put a shoulder of about 3 ft on the road, enough to be adequate to ride and feel comfortable with passing traffic, but RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE SHOULDER WAS A RUMBLE STRIP!! DID YOU HEAR ME ILLINOIS HIGHWAY ENGINEERS? Put the strip, if you must have one, next to the white line to be a barrier between vehicles and cyclists, not down the middle where it forces cyclist in to the roadway. DUMB. So there.
Murpheysboro, IL was the next obstacle between me and my rest day. It is only about 6 miles from Carbondale but it seemed much longer. I was really in need of a rest. My legs were burning with each uphill. I felt I had no power left. I had not had a day off for two weeks, although some days were short, none were particularly easy. My map directions through Murph were a little hard to follow, so that was frustrating. Then, while on a longish uphill section outside of the town I had my most difficult run in with dogs. Two big ones came to greet me and they were not looking for a pat on the head. One was named Maverick and I did not catch the other name. No name was the more aggressive one. I have found that almost always, unless you are on a downhill and can outrun a dog, the best approach is to slow to a stop or nearly stop and just say, very authoritatively, NO!. Most dogs are not really aggressive and they respond. These two did also but as soon as I would move they would be right back. Their owner was in the yard. After a few attempts to leave slowly, with barking and chasing in each case, I told her I would wait until she put them in the house. She said they did not go in the house. Well, until you tie them up then. I do not tie them up, she said. I told her I was on a public roadway. She said there was no law that she needed to restrain her dogs. What a jerk. Finally I was able to move slowly away. The last frustration of the day was that my map directions were off by about 2 miles for the turn to go to Carbondale. Finally got there and rode through town to my Super 8 motel, believing I would have a compute and could do all the stuff I needed to do. No computer but that made for an even more restful rest day. As I was arriving and registering, a group of 4, 3 guys and a gal arrived as well. They too were cycle touring, cross country, east to west and were taking a rest day as well. Turned out they were the group who had voted another rider I met earlier in the day off their group. I really did not pursue that story. Not my issue.
The rest day was Memorial Day. I thought there would be nothing to do and no chance to get some things done like a beard trim and haircut. Well, I was immediately across from the big mall in Carbondale and there was a haircutter open and plenty of airconditioned space to walk around in. I had a great rest day. Only disappointment was I could not find a postcard so I could send some to let some folks know where I was. And of course, no computer to use.
When I left on Tuesday I was uncertain how my legs would feel after not riding for a day. I was pleasantly surprised and felt stronger than ever. It was good too because I had some challenging road. The countryside was very nice. One road I remembered from 2005 was Wolf Creek Rd, for two reasons. Hills and long horned cattle. In IL! Who knew? I remembered the long horns and it seemed like the same one was standing next to the fence as I rode by. The hills are interesting because they roll on one after another, short, steep hills for at least two miles. The road is straight so you see them all lined up in front of you waiting to greet you.
That night I stayed in Golconda, IL on the Ohio River. I found a place which turned out to be houses which were the homes of lock and dam workers when a lock was located there. It is gone now but the town businesses bought and restored them and use them for vacation rentals now. It was very nice and I felt good to support a small town's attempt to stay alive. Had a double bacon cheeseburger at the Sweetwater Tavern that night. Do not know whatever possessed me to do that. After a hot hard day it went down pretty easy though.
The next day was the rather shorter ride in to Cave In Rock, IL where I was to meet Jim Smith so we could ride across KY to Berea together. Made another stop which I had made in 2005 in Elizabethtown, IL, again right on the Ohio R. Had a nice breakfast in the cafe, talked to an old-timer down at the pavilion on the river and got some good stories. It was another hot humid day and thunderstorms were predicted for the afternoon. Met two westbound riders who told me that the campground at Cave In Rock S.P. was over-run with mosquitos. That was disappointing to hear since Jim and I planned to camp. I arrived before Jim in town and went to the park lodge which rents cabins. They were full so I called the motel in town. $34/night. I had a 'you get what you pay for feeling' but felt it was the best option and rode there, forgetting to leave my phone number with the cabin people in case of a cancellation. Got to the motel, took a room, sat in its musty smelly air and got the idea to call the cabin people again. They did have cancellations and I ate the $30 I paid for the motel room and took off for the park just as the big T-storm approached. As I rode in to the park there was Jim in front of me. I called him and told him to follow me and we rode through the start of the rain storm to get registered. Cabins were great. Storm passed and next day was great as well. We took the ferry across the Ohio to KY, rode to Marion for a great breakfast and then on to Sebree where I had stayed in the First Baptist Church bicyclists hostel in 2005. Had a great stay there. Met 3 others who were east to westers, father and son from Holland and Keith from Colorado. Had some nice exchanges with them about their experieces which had been uniformly positive. One such experience had occurred the evening before when a couple who tried to connect with them but it did not work out to stay at their place, came to their campground, picked them up, took them back to their house for dinner and then took them back to the campground. We took their name, gave a call and made plans to stay with them the next night.
Beth and Garry Feltus are two of most generous and welcoming people I have ever met. They both love cycling and they have a cabin on the farm they are building which can accommodate traveling cyclists. They moved from New Jersey a few years ago and are working to make something good on a farm in rural KY. We rode over some extra hills to get there but it was worth it. Wonderful dinner, conversation, Yuengling beer, breakfast and best of all a ride in a truck to get us back on route and several miles ahead of our schedule. Got us to a point where we could make it to Bardstown the next day. We had a fun ride down a long downhill in to Howardstown and then a couple big hills in to Bardstown. Learned at a convenience store that there was a Bluegrass festival at a campground we considered and that cinched it for us. Jim loves Bluegrass. It was fun.
Next day was on to Harrodsburg past the Lincoln birthplace and homestead park sites and a fine day of riding. It was cloudy to start and rained later and then a cold front pushed through which promised to make our last day of riding the most pleasant yet with sun and high of 80.
So it was. A fantastic day of riding. Finishing with the 2 mile climb up Big Hill out of Berea to Jack and Linda's. I sit here now in their wonderful home with a view of the ridge beyond and purple and pink skies as the sun sets.
This has been a great trip. Think I will stop here as I am about out of gas for today and can add more thoughts later.
Sorry this is so long.
More later.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
That hill again
In 2005 when I did my cross country trip there was one hill which always stuck in my memory. Well actually lots of hills stuck there but this one in particular because it was one of I think two which I could not ride up. While it stuck in memory, I could not remember exactly where in Missouri it was. This trip, since I skipped the roads south of Hannibal by staying on the IL side of the river, I thought I might have missed it. NOT. Found it yesterday. On the road from Sullivan, MO to Potosi, MO. Still could not ride up it. Must be at least 15% grade. That road, by the way, is one on which I will never again ride a bicycle. It is MO route 185 and while I do not like to emphasize the hazards of doing a trip like this, and I try to use the most cautious approach I can, that road is the most dangerous one ever. It is very, very hilly and very, very curvy and busy enough to be hazardous to cyclists. I am going to send my bike touring map and promotion organization, Adventure Cycling Association, a note to that effect.
Anyway, it is over. We will not dwell on it.
185 was yesterday afternoon. Yesterday morning was very pleasant on lovely low traffic roads and I made good time from Washington to Sullivan, MO. At the end of the day I had covered 75 miles and I was dead tired. It was definitely the hardest day of the trip. The weather, luckily, was perfect. About 82, low humidity and little wind.
Today was another hilly day but on beautiful roads with amazing vistas of valleys and ridges with winerys scattered across the hills. The last hill of the day was the hardest, longest and steepest, of course, but I made it to Ozora and am cooling off in the local motel on I-55.
Lots more of feathered victims of collisions with cars and trucks. It is just amazing to see. Today was a red headed woodpecker, cardinal, hawk, crow, meadowlark (2) and a robin. Saw a bunch of (live) wild turkeys and some other turkey-like bird but a little smaller. Not sure what they were.
Today's route was a bit of invention. My trip uses the Great Rivers route and the Trans-Am route of Adventure Cycling route maps. The intersectioon of the two is not smooth or direct. With the help of Mr. Google maps (bicycle directions) and some advice from a local in Potosi I came up with a great connection which saved me many miles and hills.
Today I met 5 different cross country cyclists. The first two were on 3 wheel recumbent bikes and had their dog with them in the trailer behind. They are raising money for organ donation as one is a "donor Mom" whose child was killed and donated a heart and perhaps other organs. She will be going to Denver to meet the boy who recieved her daughter's heart. What a story. I forgot their card but I will put their informaion in a future post so anyone who wants to donate could do that. The next fellow was from Colorado but started his trip in Yorktown, VA and is going to Astoria, OR, the whole ACA TransAm route. The next two were from Germany and were traveling from Detroit to who knows where. They wanted to follow the Missouri River so I believe they will end up on the KATY trail here in MO. They had only a not too detailed road map to go by. True adventurers.
That is it for now. Tomorrow is Carbondale, IL and a rest day. It will put me behind but I need it.
Cheers
Anyway, it is over. We will not dwell on it.
185 was yesterday afternoon. Yesterday morning was very pleasant on lovely low traffic roads and I made good time from Washington to Sullivan, MO. At the end of the day I had covered 75 miles and I was dead tired. It was definitely the hardest day of the trip. The weather, luckily, was perfect. About 82, low humidity and little wind.
Today was another hilly day but on beautiful roads with amazing vistas of valleys and ridges with winerys scattered across the hills. The last hill of the day was the hardest, longest and steepest, of course, but I made it to Ozora and am cooling off in the local motel on I-55.
Lots more of feathered victims of collisions with cars and trucks. It is just amazing to see. Today was a red headed woodpecker, cardinal, hawk, crow, meadowlark (2) and a robin. Saw a bunch of (live) wild turkeys and some other turkey-like bird but a little smaller. Not sure what they were.
Today's route was a bit of invention. My trip uses the Great Rivers route and the Trans-Am route of Adventure Cycling route maps. The intersectioon of the two is not smooth or direct. With the help of Mr. Google maps (bicycle directions) and some advice from a local in Potosi I came up with a great connection which saved me many miles and hills.
Today I met 5 different cross country cyclists. The first two were on 3 wheel recumbent bikes and had their dog with them in the trailer behind. They are raising money for organ donation as one is a "donor Mom" whose child was killed and donated a heart and perhaps other organs. She will be going to Denver to meet the boy who recieved her daughter's heart. What a story. I forgot their card but I will put their informaion in a future post so anyone who wants to donate could do that. The next fellow was from Colorado but started his trip in Yorktown, VA and is going to Astoria, OR, the whole ACA TransAm route. The next two were from Germany and were traveling from Detroit to who knows where. They wanted to follow the Missouri River so I believe they will end up on the KATY trail here in MO. They had only a not too detailed road map to go by. True adventurers.
That is it for now. Tomorrow is Carbondale, IL and a rest day. It will put me behind but I need it.
Cheers
Thursday, May 27, 2010
MO hills
Yesterday I rode Quincy, IL to Clarksville, MO, about 60+ miles. I took George's advice and followed a route down the IL side of the river. The only difference is that on the MO side there are hills and hills and on the IL side, there are not. So it was an easy ride with good roads and little traffic. Crossed the Miss. at Louisiana, MO and had lunch at the Eagle's Nest, where I had lunch in 2005 on my cross country trip. It was great again.
I really wanted to spend some time in Clarksville after riding through in 2005. Not just because of the name connection to me and Dad, but because it had a row of shops with artisans and bistros and local craftsmen which was so appealing on their riverfront street. There is a nice clean country motel there where I stayed after another hot day of riding, although the heat was not an issue until after lunch. To my dismay I found that many of the attractive shops had closed. I learned that a large industry in town, a cement factory, had closed and that the town was "down but not out". There is a new high end restaurant and B&Bs owned my some local millionaire and there is a new funky 'dry saloon' with a very friendly owner across from the motel. I had breakfast there with the locals this morning and got filled in on the situation. I have some innate attachment to this little town and hope to return someday.
After breakfast I took off into the MO hills with some trepidation. Not knowing how my legs and head would respond. Especially since the heat and humidity are still with us. Have I mentioned that I have not had a single day without rain on this trip? Well, guess why I have not mentioned that I have not had a single day without rain? Anyway, it did not rain again today and things went quite well in the hills. Can only hope that that contiunues. I am in Washington, MO west of St. Louis tonight. I am a day behind of my original schedule but only because I have been taking my time and having some fun and relaxation along the way. No reason to push too hard. Last time through this area I was in a bit of a funk in the middle of my cross country trip. This time has been more enjoyable.
Thanks for all your good wishes.
Time to sleep.
I really wanted to spend some time in Clarksville after riding through in 2005. Not just because of the name connection to me and Dad, but because it had a row of shops with artisans and bistros and local craftsmen which was so appealing on their riverfront street. There is a nice clean country motel there where I stayed after another hot day of riding, although the heat was not an issue until after lunch. To my dismay I found that many of the attractive shops had closed. I learned that a large industry in town, a cement factory, had closed and that the town was "down but not out". There is a new high end restaurant and B&Bs owned my some local millionaire and there is a new funky 'dry saloon' with a very friendly owner across from the motel. I had breakfast there with the locals this morning and got filled in on the situation. I have some innate attachment to this little town and hope to return someday.
After breakfast I took off into the MO hills with some trepidation. Not knowing how my legs and head would respond. Especially since the heat and humidity are still with us. Have I mentioned that I have not had a single day without rain on this trip? Well, guess why I have not mentioned that I have not had a single day without rain? Anyway, it did not rain again today and things went quite well in the hills. Can only hope that that contiunues. I am in Washington, MO west of St. Louis tonight. I am a day behind of my original schedule but only because I have been taking my time and having some fun and relaxation along the way. No reason to push too hard. Last time through this area I was in a bit of a funk in the middle of my cross country trip. This time has been more enjoyable.
Thanks for all your good wishes.
Time to sleep.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
You meet the nicest people...
riding a bike.
The part of the previous post which got eaten by the computer somehow basically recalled how I got some advice on my route in Marquette, IA, half of which was great and half of which was pretty darn bad. The first part of that day was great with wonderful roads, even with a designated bike lane. The last part, especially the last few miles from New Vienna to Dyersville were horrendous. In Dyersville luck changed because I asked if the guy who ran the closed bike shop was still around. He was and he delivered a spare tube to me at my hotel. That is Lyle who then helped me out the next day.
So now we are caught up to Muscatine. Next destination Burlington. The ride from Muscatine to Burlington was very nice. The day turned very hot and the wind was in my face but I got to Burlington about 1:30. It was a 63 mile day and I felt I had done as much as I wanted to. My original plan was to keep riding another 20 or so miles to Jess and Doris Lionberger's place. They are a Warmshowers site. That is an online organization where people make themselves available to host touring cyclists if you notify them ahead of time. I called them after I had already checked into a motel. If I had called earlier they probably would have just driven in and picked me up. Oh well.
When I arrived in Burlington I was immediately impressed by the activity and the appearance of the city. It was a Sunday and there was some kind of graduation reception in the terminal building on the riverfront. They have a great Welcome center there. I got great information there. Went to lunch at Big Muddy's. Nice buffet brunch. I think it was my first "senior" meal. $10.99, all you can eat. Good to be old!?!? As I left the restaurant the bicycle police were riding to the riverfront top speed and sirens were all around. A 13 yo had fallen off a dock and drowned.
The ride to Burlington had several road kill turtles and several live ones. They must be moving to lay their eggs. Roads are not good for turtles and other living things. Again I have observed that birds really suffer. Lots of song birds. Bluebirds, cardinals, goldfinches, orioles. Even a hawk on the roadside.
From Burlington, on Monday, I rode to Jess and Doris' place to have a break for pie. Soon, after the pie I was eating breakfast and soon we were having lots of biking conversation and it was getting hot and hotter by the minute. 98% humidity. I decided it was too good a place to leave so soon so I stayed for the day and night. They are in the midst of projects around their farm house and worries about trying to get the rest of their planting done but welcomed me anyway. They are really wonderful supporters of cyclists and cycling, as well as cyclists themselves. After a day of relaxation, reading, napping we took off for Burlington to prepare packets for the bike races in Burlington this coming weekend. Turns out Jess and Doris are responsible for registration and this was the night to stuff envelopes with the numbers of preregistered entrants in the Burlington road race and the Snake Alley Criterium. It was fun to participate and help. I had a chance to ride past Snake Alley on my way to the motel yesterday. It is billed as the world's crookedest street. It is on a hill, a 12% grade, which is really steep. The Category 1/pro racers go up that thing 20 times in their race.
Today promised to be hot and humid again. I got an early start out of Lionberger's and made good progress. The temperatures were not as bad as yesterday and there was a slight headwind to help keep me cooler. The ride was along the river for quite a distance and was very pleasant. I made it to Warsaw at about 10:30 for eggs and biscuits and gravy and some great conversation with locals in the "bakery". I learned that the point out on the river where there is an obelisk commemorating Zachary Taylor, is the only point where you can see 3 different cities in 3 different states. Warsaw, IL, Keokuk, IA and Alexandria, MO. Can you figure out what is unique about these 3 cities?
On the way in to Quincy, IL, today's destination, I ran in to George Reed. He is a friend of Jess and Doris's who is really in to bike touring and was just returning home from several weeks on the road. I had talked to him last night and he had given me some vital road closed information in MO. If I had not stayed with Jess and Doris I would not have learned this and would have had an unpleasant surprise tomorrow. We thought we might end up at the same motel in Quincy tonight but he got to Q at noon and 'only' had another 60 miles to go to home so he is pushing on. He said he would get to Warsaw, about 30 miles from home and call his sister to come pick him up.
So there we are. So far so good. Tomorrow I will cross to MO at Louisiana (city in MO). There could be rain.
Later.
The part of the previous post which got eaten by the computer somehow basically recalled how I got some advice on my route in Marquette, IA, half of which was great and half of which was pretty darn bad. The first part of that day was great with wonderful roads, even with a designated bike lane. The last part, especially the last few miles from New Vienna to Dyersville were horrendous. In Dyersville luck changed because I asked if the guy who ran the closed bike shop was still around. He was and he delivered a spare tube to me at my hotel. That is Lyle who then helped me out the next day.
So now we are caught up to Muscatine. Next destination Burlington. The ride from Muscatine to Burlington was very nice. The day turned very hot and the wind was in my face but I got to Burlington about 1:30. It was a 63 mile day and I felt I had done as much as I wanted to. My original plan was to keep riding another 20 or so miles to Jess and Doris Lionberger's place. They are a Warmshowers site. That is an online organization where people make themselves available to host touring cyclists if you notify them ahead of time. I called them after I had already checked into a motel. If I had called earlier they probably would have just driven in and picked me up. Oh well.
When I arrived in Burlington I was immediately impressed by the activity and the appearance of the city. It was a Sunday and there was some kind of graduation reception in the terminal building on the riverfront. They have a great Welcome center there. I got great information there. Went to lunch at Big Muddy's. Nice buffet brunch. I think it was my first "senior" meal. $10.99, all you can eat. Good to be old!?!? As I left the restaurant the bicycle police were riding to the riverfront top speed and sirens were all around. A 13 yo had fallen off a dock and drowned.
The ride to Burlington had several road kill turtles and several live ones. They must be moving to lay their eggs. Roads are not good for turtles and other living things. Again I have observed that birds really suffer. Lots of song birds. Bluebirds, cardinals, goldfinches, orioles. Even a hawk on the roadside.
From Burlington, on Monday, I rode to Jess and Doris' place to have a break for pie. Soon, after the pie I was eating breakfast and soon we were having lots of biking conversation and it was getting hot and hotter by the minute. 98% humidity. I decided it was too good a place to leave so soon so I stayed for the day and night. They are in the midst of projects around their farm house and worries about trying to get the rest of their planting done but welcomed me anyway. They are really wonderful supporters of cyclists and cycling, as well as cyclists themselves. After a day of relaxation, reading, napping we took off for Burlington to prepare packets for the bike races in Burlington this coming weekend. Turns out Jess and Doris are responsible for registration and this was the night to stuff envelopes with the numbers of preregistered entrants in the Burlington road race and the Snake Alley Criterium. It was fun to participate and help. I had a chance to ride past Snake Alley on my way to the motel yesterday. It is billed as the world's crookedest street. It is on a hill, a 12% grade, which is really steep. The Category 1/pro racers go up that thing 20 times in their race.
Today promised to be hot and humid again. I got an early start out of Lionberger's and made good progress. The temperatures were not as bad as yesterday and there was a slight headwind to help keep me cooler. The ride was along the river for quite a distance and was very pleasant. I made it to Warsaw at about 10:30 for eggs and biscuits and gravy and some great conversation with locals in the "bakery". I learned that the point out on the river where there is an obelisk commemorating Zachary Taylor, is the only point where you can see 3 different cities in 3 different states. Warsaw, IL, Keokuk, IA and Alexandria, MO. Can you figure out what is unique about these 3 cities?
On the way in to Quincy, IL, today's destination, I ran in to George Reed. He is a friend of Jess and Doris's who is really in to bike touring and was just returning home from several weeks on the road. I had talked to him last night and he had given me some vital road closed information in MO. If I had not stayed with Jess and Doris I would not have learned this and would have had an unpleasant surprise tomorrow. We thought we might end up at the same motel in Quincy tonight but he got to Q at noon and 'only' had another 60 miles to go to home so he is pushing on. He said he would get to Warsaw, about 30 miles from home and call his sister to come pick him up.
So there we are. So far so good. Tomorrow I will cross to MO at Louisiana (city in MO). There could be rain.
Later.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Stuff happens
NOTE: This post got truncated somehow. I will fix it later.
So, I had a quiet evening in Dyersville. Never made it to the Field of Dreams field and filming site.
Next morning I headed out using a route suggested by Lyle when he dilivered my tube. The route was fine but a few miles down the road the fun began. My tire bead came off the rim of the wheel, like it had when I hit the rock. This time I stopped and prevented a blowout but when I tried to put the tire back on it came off the rim again, before I even had the wheel on the bike again. So I had to use my spare tire and I would not have a spare. I had awoke with a sore thoat and began to wonder if I should just stay in Dyersville, get things squared around and rest. I called Lyle again to see if he could help. He said he could get a new tire and another tube to me but it would take an hour or more. So in the end it took over 2 1/2 hours from start to finishe to get back on the road but Lyle came through again. Then, as I started out, the wind had come up and it was blowing hard. I got on the road, fighting the strong cross wind. Ran into Road Closed signs, figured I could get around what ever it was. Wrong. Had to detour, back on 136 to get to Cascade. The wind was the worst I have ever ridden in which actually says a lot after North Dakota. I limped into Cascade and determined that I would need to find a place to stay in this motel-less community. They have a beautiful stone City Hall and I went in. Shelley was behind the desk. Deputy Clerk. I explained my plight and my hope to find a cyclist or someone in town who could put me up. Between the wind and the coming rain camping did not look inviting and I was not feeling particularly well. She found a terrific guy, Jerry Volk, and his wife Mary, who agreed to let me stay with them. It turned out great. I had a great stay with them, and their dog Chance.
Next day was soggy and I rode only about 30 miles to Lowden and stayed at the Lincoln Hotel, one of the last surviving original hotels on the Lincoln Highway, the country's first cross country highway. Weather cleard over night and I made it to Muscatine today. Now it will be strategy time as I am a day behind my schedule. Hopefully Jim, who I plan to meet in Cave in Rock, and I can connect and synchronize our plans.
Supposed to have heat and headwinds tomorrow so it could get more interesting yet.
So, I had a quiet evening in Dyersville. Never made it to the Field of Dreams field and filming site.
Next morning I headed out using a route suggested by Lyle when he dilivered my tube. The route was fine but a few miles down the road the fun began. My tire bead came off the rim of the wheel, like it had when I hit the rock. This time I stopped and prevented a blowout but when I tried to put the tire back on it came off the rim again, before I even had the wheel on the bike again. So I had to use my spare tire and I would not have a spare. I had awoke with a sore thoat and began to wonder if I should just stay in Dyersville, get things squared around and rest. I called Lyle again to see if he could help. He said he could get a new tire and another tube to me but it would take an hour or more. So in the end it took over 2 1/2 hours from start to finishe to get back on the road but Lyle came through again. Then, as I started out, the wind had come up and it was blowing hard. I got on the road, fighting the strong cross wind. Ran into Road Closed signs, figured I could get around what ever it was. Wrong. Had to detour, back on 136 to get to Cascade. The wind was the worst I have ever ridden in which actually says a lot after North Dakota. I limped into Cascade and determined that I would need to find a place to stay in this motel-less community. They have a beautiful stone City Hall and I went in. Shelley was behind the desk. Deputy Clerk. I explained my plight and my hope to find a cyclist or someone in town who could put me up. Between the wind and the coming rain camping did not look inviting and I was not feeling particularly well. She found a terrific guy, Jerry Volk, and his wife Mary, who agreed to let me stay with them. It turned out great. I had a great stay with them, and their dog Chance.
Next day was soggy and I rode only about 30 miles to Lowden and stayed at the Lincoln Hotel, one of the last surviving original hotels on the Lincoln Highway, the country's first cross country highway. Weather cleard over night and I made it to Muscatine today. Now it will be strategy time as I am a day behind my schedule. Hopefully Jim, who I plan to meet in Cave in Rock, and I can connect and synchronize our plans.
Supposed to have heat and headwinds tomorrow so it could get more interesting yet.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Not where I meant to be, but it's nice
Today was day 4 of this trip. I am in Prairie du Chien, WI. Thought I would end up in Monona, IA, about 15 miles west of here. Turns out there is no place to stay there (I thought there was) and there is no good place between here and there. Boring...
Day 1 was about 53 miles from home to Jan and Tom Buckman's place near Ellsworth, WI and just across the Mississippi from Red Wing. Had not seen them since the last funeral so it was nice to visit without that reason. They have a great spot which they have created with their own hands, in a beautiful location on a ravine, pretty isolated and quiet. It was very nice to catch up and we definitely need to get back to visit again. The ride over there was good except for the stretch of US 10 from Prescott to the turn at US 63. Difficult ride because of narrow shoulders and high traffic. And it was the first day out and at the end of it I was seriously considering leaving behind all my camping gear to lighten my load and just do motels. In the end I decided to hang with the plan and left after a great breakfast on Sunday morning with all of my gear.
Sunday was a long day to Winona. Stuck with my Adventure Cycling route map out of Red Wing, up a long climb which got the legs and lungs working again. After that I stayed on US 61 the rest of the way instead of taking the county roads on the ACA route. I saved a few miles and is actually not a bad road to ride. The traffic noise is the worst part but there is a wide shoulder and you stay right on the river so the scenery is really nice. Riding down the river, counting the riding yesterday and today, is as beautiful and scenic as any I have done. Every place has its beauty, but this ride is right in there.
For jaw dropping vistas and riding yesterday from Winona to New Albin, IA was really the bomb. I did take the county roads off of 61 and it was really worth it. Riding through Pickwick and other quaint villages in the hollows and ravines off the river reminded me why I really love doing this. The spiritual experience of silently moving through these places, at a human pace is difficult to put in words. It is the reason to keep getting out here. And there are so many places to go and to see. And I have never heard so many birds. You can not do that travelling any other way.
I did the route down east side of the river, Wisconsin and Illinois, when I rode across the US in 2005. This time I am on the west side. The route will be the same once I get to Dallas City, IL, where I cross over from Burlington, IA. Then I will cross again to Hannibal, MO. Down to Chester, IL and across Illinois to Cave In Rock where you cross the Ohio on a ferry and in to Kentucky.
Today I started in New Albin, IA where I asked if I could camp in the town park because the campground I had planned on was not really a campground. So I slept in the park under the street light and did just fine. Today was highlighted by several experiences. First were three major climbs in the morning. Worthy of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I was slow but steady and got over those. Then I had to ride on the worst road to date this trip, state road 76 in Iowa. I won't go into detail there. Just glad it is over. On 76 was the Effigy Mounds National Monument. Stopped there and ate a 400 calorie bar, found out my intended destination was not going to work, and saw some of the mounds and some spectacular bluff views. The mounds are burial mounds of the Hopewell native people, constructed about 1000 BC. Some are in the shape of animals, usually bears. They are quiet amazing.
Then, after the mounds, it was back on 76 for the last three miles into Marquette, IA. The road runs right along the sheer limstone cliffs and chunks of rock litter the road. I hit a chunk. It sounded bad and less than half a mile later I learned it was bad when my rear tube blew. I thought the rock had torn the tire but I inspected it over and over and it was fine so I guess the rock and knocked the bead of the tire off the rim and the tube had bulged out until it finally blew. There was little to no room to even pull off the road but I figured it out and got the tube changed. Can not have any more of these since I do not have another tube. No more flats!
That is the story so far. The weather has been perfect. Too much sun actually. Wind so far has been favorable.
Tomorrow it is Dyersville, IA hopefully. Then I will be on schedule. If not I will have some catching up to do to meet Jim on June 2 at Cave In Rock, IL.
Cheers.
Day 1 was about 53 miles from home to Jan and Tom Buckman's place near Ellsworth, WI and just across the Mississippi from Red Wing. Had not seen them since the last funeral so it was nice to visit without that reason. They have a great spot which they have created with their own hands, in a beautiful location on a ravine, pretty isolated and quiet. It was very nice to catch up and we definitely need to get back to visit again. The ride over there was good except for the stretch of US 10 from Prescott to the turn at US 63. Difficult ride because of narrow shoulders and high traffic. And it was the first day out and at the end of it I was seriously considering leaving behind all my camping gear to lighten my load and just do motels. In the end I decided to hang with the plan and left after a great breakfast on Sunday morning with all of my gear.
Sunday was a long day to Winona. Stuck with my Adventure Cycling route map out of Red Wing, up a long climb which got the legs and lungs working again. After that I stayed on US 61 the rest of the way instead of taking the county roads on the ACA route. I saved a few miles and is actually not a bad road to ride. The traffic noise is the worst part but there is a wide shoulder and you stay right on the river so the scenery is really nice. Riding down the river, counting the riding yesterday and today, is as beautiful and scenic as any I have done. Every place has its beauty, but this ride is right in there.
For jaw dropping vistas and riding yesterday from Winona to New Albin, IA was really the bomb. I did take the county roads off of 61 and it was really worth it. Riding through Pickwick and other quaint villages in the hollows and ravines off the river reminded me why I really love doing this. The spiritual experience of silently moving through these places, at a human pace is difficult to put in words. It is the reason to keep getting out here. And there are so many places to go and to see. And I have never heard so many birds. You can not do that travelling any other way.
I did the route down east side of the river, Wisconsin and Illinois, when I rode across the US in 2005. This time I am on the west side. The route will be the same once I get to Dallas City, IL, where I cross over from Burlington, IA. Then I will cross again to Hannibal, MO. Down to Chester, IL and across Illinois to Cave In Rock where you cross the Ohio on a ferry and in to Kentucky.
Today I started in New Albin, IA where I asked if I could camp in the town park because the campground I had planned on was not really a campground. So I slept in the park under the street light and did just fine. Today was highlighted by several experiences. First were three major climbs in the morning. Worthy of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I was slow but steady and got over those. Then I had to ride on the worst road to date this trip, state road 76 in Iowa. I won't go into detail there. Just glad it is over. On 76 was the Effigy Mounds National Monument. Stopped there and ate a 400 calorie bar, found out my intended destination was not going to work, and saw some of the mounds and some spectacular bluff views. The mounds are burial mounds of the Hopewell native people, constructed about 1000 BC. Some are in the shape of animals, usually bears. They are quiet amazing.
Then, after the mounds, it was back on 76 for the last three miles into Marquette, IA. The road runs right along the sheer limstone cliffs and chunks of rock litter the road. I hit a chunk. It sounded bad and less than half a mile later I learned it was bad when my rear tube blew. I thought the rock had torn the tire but I inspected it over and over and it was fine so I guess the rock and knocked the bead of the tire off the rim and the tube had bulged out until it finally blew. There was little to no room to even pull off the road but I figured it out and got the tube changed. Can not have any more of these since I do not have another tube. No more flats!
That is the story so far. The weather has been perfect. Too much sun actually. Wind so far has been favorable.
Tomorrow it is Dyersville, IA hopefully. Then I will be on schedule. If not I will have some catching up to do to meet Jim on June 2 at Cave In Rock, IL.
Cheers.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Epilogue
Almost 2 years isn't too long is it?
So, since last entry I have had 3 surgical procedures. The first in August 2008, I will not describe it, but suffice it to say that my trips to the men's room are shorter these days. The second two are something else again. I missed a step out of the back door of our house and BOOM! something was terribly wrong. Turned out I totally ripped my left quadriceps tendon. (Google it) This is not good. Especially if you want to ride a bike. Surgery repaired things and all was well until---BOOM!--- it happened again. Same injury. Surgery again. So for the last year and one-half I have been working on recovering from these potential tragedies. My goal has been to make them only big bumps in the road and not road blocks to long distance bicycle touring.
This past winter I spent two sessions a week on the bike trainer with my "coach" Larry Foss and his right hand woman Sophie working on getting my leg back to bike-tour-capable. So far things feel good and everything is heading in the right direction.
But I digress. I wanted to add some comments regarding the Skyline/Blue Ridge Parkway ride. Well it taught me several lessons. One, I am not nearly as strong a rider as I thought I was. My riding partners consistently were out there ahead of me on the road. No matter. We each have our strengths and limits. I am happy to be able to ride. I learned that we all have our own ideas of what makes a great trip. Riding with others brings this into clear focus. My idea of a good trip is to set some goals and some expectations and be willing to totally ignore them. Like, your behind schedule? Get a car and drive from Minot to Fargo. Do not worry about it. It is all part of the experience. Plan a trip St. Paul to Virginia, MN and find after the first day you are not up to it. No worries. Turn around and find your way home. That is what happened when I tested my leg last summer hoping to make it up to my Uncle Herb and Aunt Jean's in Virginia. It did not happen but I will make it there one day soon. On the other hand, there are those like Denny, with whom I rode on the BRP, who must press on day after day. I can not do a trip like that. I do not want to rush through it. I would like to stop in every interesting location if I could. But at least stop from time to time and relax.
So now, what's the next great thing? Another trip down the Mississippi and, at the appropriate spot, turn left and head to Kentucky. I followed this route in 2005 when I rode across the country. That time I rode down the east side of the river, crossing at Hannibal, MO. This time I will stay on the Minnesota and Iowa side, cross briefly to IL and then again in to Hannibal and down past St. Louis to the left-turn-point to go back over to the southern tip of Illinois, across the Ohio River at Cave In Rock. There I will meet Jim Smith, my Blue Ridge Parkway riding partner (with Denny). Then we will ride across KY to Berea and a few miles further to Jack and Linda's new house on a ridge. That is the plan and I am sticking to it.
This weekend is the first "fully loaded" ride to test out the leg for this year. I will go only about 20 miles to Afton State Park. I'll camp and then head back on Sunday. A longer "test" trip is planned later this month. Our weather has been so unreal this spring with no snow and temperatures in the 50s to 70s I hope it holds because it really makes it easy to prepare.
I am so looking forward to getting back on the road on a bike. The injury has given me a real opportunity to reflect on the fragility of our physical state and to be so thankful for the ability to dream and to realize the dream.
Later.
Almost 2 years isn't too long is it?
So, since last entry I have had 3 surgical procedures. The first in August 2008, I will not describe it, but suffice it to say that my trips to the men's room are shorter these days. The second two are something else again. I missed a step out of the back door of our house and BOOM! something was terribly wrong. Turned out I totally ripped my left quadriceps tendon. (Google it) This is not good. Especially if you want to ride a bike. Surgery repaired things and all was well until---BOOM!--- it happened again. Same injury. Surgery again. So for the last year and one-half I have been working on recovering from these potential tragedies. My goal has been to make them only big bumps in the road and not road blocks to long distance bicycle touring.
This past winter I spent two sessions a week on the bike trainer with my "coach" Larry Foss and his right hand woman Sophie working on getting my leg back to bike-tour-capable. So far things feel good and everything is heading in the right direction.
But I digress. I wanted to add some comments regarding the Skyline/Blue Ridge Parkway ride. Well it taught me several lessons. One, I am not nearly as strong a rider as I thought I was. My riding partners consistently were out there ahead of me on the road. No matter. We each have our strengths and limits. I am happy to be able to ride. I learned that we all have our own ideas of what makes a great trip. Riding with others brings this into clear focus. My idea of a good trip is to set some goals and some expectations and be willing to totally ignore them. Like, your behind schedule? Get a car and drive from Minot to Fargo. Do not worry about it. It is all part of the experience. Plan a trip St. Paul to Virginia, MN and find after the first day you are not up to it. No worries. Turn around and find your way home. That is what happened when I tested my leg last summer hoping to make it up to my Uncle Herb and Aunt Jean's in Virginia. It did not happen but I will make it there one day soon. On the other hand, there are those like Denny, with whom I rode on the BRP, who must press on day after day. I can not do a trip like that. I do not want to rush through it. I would like to stop in every interesting location if I could. But at least stop from time to time and relax.
So now, what's the next great thing? Another trip down the Mississippi and, at the appropriate spot, turn left and head to Kentucky. I followed this route in 2005 when I rode across the country. That time I rode down the east side of the river, crossing at Hannibal, MO. This time I will stay on the Minnesota and Iowa side, cross briefly to IL and then again in to Hannibal and down past St. Louis to the left-turn-point to go back over to the southern tip of Illinois, across the Ohio River at Cave In Rock. There I will meet Jim Smith, my Blue Ridge Parkway riding partner (with Denny). Then we will ride across KY to Berea and a few miles further to Jack and Linda's new house on a ridge. That is the plan and I am sticking to it.
This weekend is the first "fully loaded" ride to test out the leg for this year. I will go only about 20 miles to Afton State Park. I'll camp and then head back on Sunday. A longer "test" trip is planned later this month. Our weather has been so unreal this spring with no snow and temperatures in the 50s to 70s I hope it holds because it really makes it easy to prepare.
I am so looking forward to getting back on the road on a bike. The injury has given me a real opportunity to reflect on the fragility of our physical state and to be so thankful for the ability to dream and to realize the dream.
Later.
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