We all left camp around 7 am because today was going to get hot (and it did, 97 degrees about five miles from camp) and there was potentially lots to see.
First item of interest was crossing the Chain of Rocks Bridge. We all got there and had to wait til after 8am for someone to come unlock the gates. What a bummer. All that cool morning riding, and that’s all relative, was wasted sitting there waiting.
But the bridge was cool. It had a 30 degree bend in it. The internet can tell you all about it.
If you look closely, you can see part of the gate on the other side. We have no idea why they lock it up at night.
So we crossed the Mississippi and are now in Missouri. Never saw the MO state sign but the bike path took us right beside the Arch.
Today, I rode by myself at my speed and stopped when I needed to stop and just took my time. I was able to navigate through St. Louis and I didn’t get lost. That’s a biggy for me. Everyone complained about the heat today, not just me. And it looks like three more days of this heat. At least so far, the humidity hasn’t been that bad. I can’t believe how much water I drink during the day. Sweating it all out cause I only make one pit stop, usually when I eat lunch.
One of the things I have noticed on this trip is how newish looking everyone’s clothes are. Now all of you who know me know that I wear my stuff out, sometimes wearing it longer than most people would. But, hey, if it still works, I wear it. I am not so vain as to have to look cool in the latest styles. So I noticed my jacket from Odyssey, 18 years ago is really faded, a tear is held together with electrical tape ( works really well ), and I just repaired some seams this past rest day. I’m not the best seamstress so if anyone looks, they’d probably be apalled.
The jersey I wore today is faded, has stains from rain on The back, and really looks tacky. But it is my most comfortable top and I’m going to keep wearing it. I have two pairs of bike shorts that are faded but broken in so they aren’t going anywhere. Wait til I pull out my 30 year old head band when it gets cold. My favorite and it is really in bad shape but still works.
Now I do have other clothes that aren’t so bad but they just aren’t as comfortable. Comfort is #1 priority. Looks ranks near the bottom. No one has said anything yet and I doubt they would but I just noticed today that I look like the poor one on this trip.
However, my tent and bike are right up there with the best. Just aren’t as old as my clothes.
59.1 miles today ..4236.4. Total
BikerAl Across America 2018 