Finished the KATY Trail today. YEAH! On to the paved roads again. Top picture is of Lewis and Clark at St. Charles. Pretty cool, I tho’t.
The bottom photo is of a tree that had fallen over the trail. Riders kept telling me as we passed that a tree was across the trail. I figured I’d see it so couldn’t figure out why everyone was making such a big deal. I figured I’d just carry my bike over it, and, if necessary, unload it first. Then I came upon it, and, whoa, big tree. Fortunately, enough cyclists and walkers had gone around it so there was a path, but through poison ivy and brush. I washed off my legs after going through that. I tho’t it odd that everyone mentioned it. Obviously, I couldn’t miss it.
After getting to St. Charles, my next decision was how to get across the MS River to Illinois. There were a couple biking options suggested but it was so hot, 99 degrees, that I just couldn’t see myself pedalling another 20 miles, winding around and trying not to get lost, and then looking for a place to stay. So I got a shuttle to Alton and rode from there to Wood River on a blessed paved road with a nice shoulder. Oh, how I’ve missed the paved roads.
On the KATY Trail, you didn’t have to worry about trucks, just snakes. But with my wide shoulder today, trucks weren’t an issue. However, when I got into town, as happens more often than not, the shoulder disappeared, and two separate school buses did NOT get over an inch. I had to stop and get over for the first one. I just stared at him in disbelief. A school bus not getting over? Who would think!
Anyway, I’m glad to be on the road again. Gotta get out there early. Supposed to be a HOT weekend.
35.3 miles today. 1101.7 total
BikerAl Across America 2018 