29/8/2011 Alton to Columbia
D112, T6.15, Av17.85, Total 4868
Perfect day, light wind, 30 degrees
Leaving Tonys after an enjoyable weekend, I headed down Clifton Tce to the river road towards Alton downtown.
Soon finding myself riding on the levee top .Lock #26 was approached, at this site the natoinal Great Rivers Museum is located. Some great comparisons were documented here.
For example ,one 15 tow barge is the equivalent of 1050 semis moving the same freight.
Having checked the museum out and knowing that avoidng East St Louis was a must. Riff Raff central. Crossing the river to Missouri would be required to facilitate this.
The Lewis and Clark tower was also visited, these two guys were early explorers on the Missouri.
Crossing the river on the Chain of Rocks bridge took me onto Chanteau Island, crossing this then took me onto the disused Eads bridge, the longest pedestrian bridge in the US. Route 66 used to cross this bridge.
From here the trail followed the MR to downtown St Louis. It takes one past some heavy industry, including huge scrap yards, manufacturing premises and the Budweiser brewery complex, the sweet smell of ale lingered as I rode past.
Trucks were unloading wheat near the trail, a weigh bridge was spotted, asking the operator if my weight could be recorded, he was agreeable and announced a gross weight of 220lbs. Previously at Dubuque, 200lbs had been recorded.
Firstly I feel my weight has not increased, so my belongings must weigh more .Those adding to the weight must be:
· Spanish text book
· Portable DVD player
· 2 new pairs of cycling shorts
· Small loud speaker for ipod
· Cans of food
· Wild rice packet
· Trail mix
· Larger second water bottle
Who knows, a weekend socialising may have added a few pounds .
Homeless people had shanties consisting of blue tarps, pallets and other materials were living riverside on the way through .
The city levees were concrete walls not unlike the Berlin wall.
The arch of St Louis was past enroute, very impressive. Having avoided East St Louis and Venice it was time to head back to IL. This was done via route 255, a freeway. A good shoulder was present, safety wasn’t an issue. Exiting this took me to Columbia.
A guy at the gas station off the freeway informed me about watching for the Coyotes around this area, he said they were about the size of an Alsatian dog.
Knowing there were no camp grounds available, an aero club was spotted roadside. Pulling in I asked a member if I could camp for the night, “not a problem” was his reply.
Setting up the palace behind the clubhouse, I chatted with a few other pilots about. They offered me the clubhouse facilities for the night, which was so generous of them. I donated some money to the club, we all had a good chat while one of the guys was buzzing us at the clubhouse in a small home built single seater fixed wing aircraft .
You couldn’t meet a nicer bunch of guys, an offer to have a drink was turned down due to a few days previously spent around a few beers.
I cooked a filling meal, of spinach, salmon, peas and pasta under the awning at the clubhouse.
Retiring, sleep soon prevailed.
D112, T6.15, Av17.85, Total 4868
Perfect day, light wind, 30 degrees
Leaving Tonys after an enjoyable weekend, I headed down Clifton Tce to the river road towards Alton downtown.
Soon finding myself riding on the levee top .Lock #26 was approached, at this site the natoinal Great Rivers Museum is located. Some great comparisons were documented here.
For example ,one 15 tow barge is the equivalent of 1050 semis moving the same freight.
Having checked the museum out and knowing that avoidng East St Louis was a must. Riff Raff central. Crossing the river to Missouri would be required to facilitate this.
The Lewis and Clark tower was also visited, these two guys were early explorers on the Missouri.
Crossing the river on the Chain of Rocks bridge took me onto Chanteau Island, crossing this then took me onto the disused Eads bridge, the longest pedestrian bridge in the US. Route 66 used to cross this bridge.
From here the trail followed the MR to downtown St Louis. It takes one past some heavy industry, including huge scrap yards, manufacturing premises and the Budweiser brewery complex, the sweet smell of ale lingered as I rode past.
Trucks were unloading wheat near the trail, a weigh bridge was spotted, asking the operator if my weight could be recorded, he was agreeable and announced a gross weight of 220lbs. Previously at Dubuque, 200lbs had been recorded.
Firstly I feel my weight has not increased, so my belongings must weigh more .Those adding to the weight must be:
· Spanish text book
· Portable DVD player
· 2 new pairs of cycling shorts
· Small loud speaker for ipod
· Cans of food
· Wild rice packet
· Trail mix
· Larger second water bottle
Who knows, a weekend socialising may have added a few pounds .
Homeless people had shanties consisting of blue tarps, pallets and other materials were living riverside on the way through .
The city levees were concrete walls not unlike the Berlin wall.
The arch of St Louis was past enroute, very impressive. Having avoided East St Louis and Venice it was time to head back to IL. This was done via route 255, a freeway. A good shoulder was present, safety wasn’t an issue. Exiting this took me to Columbia.
A guy at the gas station off the freeway informed me about watching for the Coyotes around this area, he said they were about the size of an Alsatian dog.
Knowing there were no camp grounds available, an aero club was spotted roadside. Pulling in I asked a member if I could camp for the night, “not a problem” was his reply.
Setting up the palace behind the clubhouse, I chatted with a few other pilots about. They offered me the clubhouse facilities for the night, which was so generous of them. I donated some money to the club, we all had a good chat while one of the guys was buzzing us at the clubhouse in a small home built single seater fixed wing aircraft .
You couldn’t meet a nicer bunch of guys, an offer to have a drink was turned down due to a few days previously spent around a few beers.
I cooked a filling meal, of spinach, salmon, peas and pasta under the awning at the clubhouse.
Retiring, sleep soon prevailed.