Another riding partner
I first met Renee a couple of weeks ago when I was in Pueblo CO. He was staying at the hotel/motel Doug and I were staying in. Wednesday afternoon of my stay in Farmington MO at Al's Place he rolled in. It was nice to see a familiar face. Renee is riding the Trans American Trail from Astoria OR to Yorktown VA. Renee is from the Netherlands and is on a sabbatical to do the ride. He has toured all over Europe and wanted to see the US by bike.
The first day back on the bike saw us heading torwards the Mississippi River and the Chester Bridge. Todays ride was short only 45 miles. A good start back after 6 days off. Chester IL is the home to Popeye the Sailor man. Our early arrival in town allowed us to ride around to see all of the statues. We settle in early to get up early to tackle the road out off town early to try and beat the coal trucks.
In the morning the first section of road is a road that is a coal haul road. Tractor trailer trucks haul the coal from inland to the Mississippi River for barge transport down river. The trucks were there in full force. On steep winding roads you are kept on your toes. Shortly we were off the main road and onto the levees that surround the low level farm land in this area of Illinois. There was alot of evidence of flooding and a pole in one town that shows how much water the levee holds back. From the levee we had quite a bit of climbing to get to our host church in Gore IL.
Sunday morning Renee and I rode together out of town. Nice quiet rolling hills greeted us. Renee wanted a coffee and there was a small store at the cross roads ahead. We were met by a grumpy old man at the door. "No we don't make coffee", "hurry up. There is no cold soda" ," don't hang around, this ain't no bar". No wonder the place is all most out of business. ( later we had a good laugh about this with Laura a fellow cyclist who received the same treatment)
Today was another hot day with more very steep climbs with a finish at Cave in Rock State Park. The park is dominated by a limestone cave facing the Ohio River. We camped here tonight. We had a late guest, Laura, a transam rider we met days before.
Monday morning saw the three of us break camp early to cross the ferry to Kentucky. The fog was thick, the ferry wasn't running so a hot breakfast was in order. Soon the ferry was running and off we went.
Today was another bittersweet day for me. The route I am going to follow, the Underground Railroad bike trail and the TransAmerican Trail go in separate directions. Renee my trail partner for the last several days and I needed to say goodbye. I enjoyed my time with Renee and I wish him safe travels.
On to Kentucky.
The first day back on the bike saw us heading torwards the Mississippi River and the Chester Bridge. Todays ride was short only 45 miles. A good start back after 6 days off. Chester IL is the home to Popeye the Sailor man. Our early arrival in town allowed us to ride around to see all of the statues. We settle in early to get up early to tackle the road out off town early to try and beat the coal trucks.
In the morning the first section of road is a road that is a coal haul road. Tractor trailer trucks haul the coal from inland to the Mississippi River for barge transport down river. The trucks were there in full force. On steep winding roads you are kept on your toes. Shortly we were off the main road and onto the levees that surround the low level farm land in this area of Illinois. There was alot of evidence of flooding and a pole in one town that shows how much water the levee holds back. From the levee we had quite a bit of climbing to get to our host church in Gore IL.
Sunday morning Renee and I rode together out of town. Nice quiet rolling hills greeted us. Renee wanted a coffee and there was a small store at the cross roads ahead. We were met by a grumpy old man at the door. "No we don't make coffee", "hurry up. There is no cold soda" ," don't hang around, this ain't no bar". No wonder the place is all most out of business. ( later we had a good laugh about this with Laura a fellow cyclist who received the same treatment)
Today was another hot day with more very steep climbs with a finish at Cave in Rock State Park. The park is dominated by a limestone cave facing the Ohio River. We camped here tonight. We had a late guest, Laura, a transam rider we met days before.
Monday morning saw the three of us break camp early to cross the ferry to Kentucky. The fog was thick, the ferry wasn't running so a hot breakfast was in order. Soon the ferry was running and off we went.
Today was another bittersweet day for me. The route I am going to follow, the Underground Railroad bike trail and the TransAmerican Trail go in separate directions. Renee my trail partner for the last several days and I needed to say goodbye. I enjoyed my time with Renee and I wish him safe travels.
On to Kentucky.
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