Because the ferry across the Mississippi from Ste. Genevieve to Modoc Il, didn't start running until 9:00 AM we got to sleep in a bit. It was a treat.
The ferry ride was uneventful, but the trailer and van and 27 women and their bikes prtty much filled it up.
31 miles of our ride today were along Bluff Road, so named because of the limestone cliffs and bluffs, formerly the banks of the river, were along our right side for most of the way. About the first 10 miles of the Bluff Road ride was enlivened by periodic blasts of air conditioning temperature air blowing out of the many mine openings where limestone had been removed. Some the opening were smaller holes meant for a scoop shovel but many were double laned truck size. Bo Peep said she could even feel the temperature difference inside the car.
The bluffs were thickly wooded, and many of the farms were built right up against the base of these 200-400 foot cliffs. On our left, the river side, the fields were flat and endless. Since we were on the bluff side, we did have the benefit of the shade trees and for the last 20 miles or so the side wind turned into a tail wind which was very nice.
As we got close to St. Louis, there was a detour, which left all of us, even those with functional bike computers, a bit dazed and confused. Kind people playing slow pitch baseball in their front yeard, and a firemen from a local fire house soon got use on the right path, such as it was, since the cue sheets had been changed with hand written add ons and notes by the guides the night before.
It was confusing because there is only one bridge with a pedestrian walkway/bike path on it which is approached by going through east St. Louis. We were warned to stay in groups through this area which was most definitely very urban creepy in feel, had few street signs, roads leading off to nowhere except dumps of trash, and streets with nearly impossible paving. We finally found the right bridge, and vectored our way to where we thought the pedestrian path might be and there it was, on the other side of the very busy 6 lane highway. Fortunately there was a light about 1/4 mile away so by watching the traffic and timing against the lights, each of us was able to scamper across the six lanes while carrying our bikes so as to avoid lifting them over the curbs on either side and the curb/traaffic splitter in the middle.
We ended up walking/carrying the bikes over most of the bridge because of the narrowness of the path and the frequent amounts of broken glass. The last 1/2 mile was back on our bikes again through riverside park and the base of the arch.
While others checked into the hotel, I got directions to the Big Urban Shark Bike shop and pressed on another mile to get the mechanics started on the bike so that they could get it finished on our free day tomorrow.
Walking back to the Hotel, I passed a number of streets closed off because of a "May Day" parade. Someone should clarify the concept of May Day to the organizers and the man running for sheriff who sponsored the parade. The good side was that I didn't look like I was dressed too strangely (in a sleeveless bike jersey and lycra shorts along with gloves, helmet, helmet hair and general sweat, sunscreen bugs and road grime)when compared to the bands, flage teams and people on or next to the floats.
Got back to the hotel, checked in, discovered that my 9th floor room has a view of the arch and generally called it a good 63 mile day.
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