The crossroads

It has definitely been the most difficult part of the trip thus far. It's been about there days since I've been able to blog. Made it into Saint Louis today. Just left the Cardinals game at Busch stadium where they defeated the Reds.





Yesterday was a momentus day for me. That's what made today so tuff. Got a real late start yesterday. Didn't leave Metropolis til noon. Yes Metropolis, Supermans hometown.





Just like the big rock in the center of this town painted green like kryptonite. I have several of my own kryptonites. This was 50 miles from the lake house we spent the weekend at. Harrahs riverboat casino was right there in town. Should have never walked in. Ended up playing craps and getting a "free" room. Not a good visit. Fianally got out of there at noon the next day.

Totally threw me off my game, mentally and physically. But I'm glad to say I'm back on track. Southern illinois is the pits. It's litterally swamp land. Never would have known unless I took this trip. Just a few miles down the road I ran into a couple touring. Helped to put me back into the frame of mind I needed to be in.





Dave and Carol were getting back to the trans am trail after going to a wedding in New Orleans. She was a bit chatty and would have talked to me all day. I was already 20 miles behind Rich due to my poor decision the day before. So I said my good byes and hit the road. It was a scorcher too yesterday. About 90 degrees and muggy in swamp land. Told them I had a 94 mile day ahead of me. They were doing about 50 miles a day.

Long story short, bad cell phone coverage and a bad mind frame I took a road I thought was going north, south 25 miles in the wrong direction. Ended up in Cairo, Il on the Missouri border. Very far south when I was supposed to be way north.

Hot day, bad night at the casino, already trying to make up the 20 mile deficit and now this. That's a 50 mile mistake. 50 miles on a bike in that weather is no joke. I literally stood there in the blazing sun in this crossroad extremely discouraged. My mind was going bonkers.

This guy in a big truck pulls up to see if I'm ok. Told him about my mistake. He gave me some directional advice and took off. This is the only time during the trip I wanted to put my thumb out. A big white sweaty guy with a big touring bike getting a lift, good luck!

After looking at the map I realized I was close to Memphis. Totally thought about switching up my route. Then I said, time to nut up. Mustered the bravado to go back north and get as far as I could.

Rich was texting me and trying to find out where I was at. Having spotty service and embarresed about the days events I didn't respond. He ended up in Chester which was our destination for the day.





Once I was on the right road I was determined. Sunset is right around 8 and it gets dark after that. There's no street lights out here. Kept peddling and peddling and didn't pass a thing for hours. Finally saw a budweiser sign and tucked away was a bar. Got in there right after sunset with just about 93 miles on the gps.

Watched the cardinals game and had salad with chicken. Talked to some of the locals and was hoping someone said, "Chester, that's 40 miles down the road...let me give u a ride.". Also thought about paying someone to take me. That didn't happen.

Put my Petzl headlamp on and my little red lite for the back of my seat. It was off to Chester. Pitch black and magical. Passed over the Big Muddy and kept going. My face was like the front of a tractor trailer. The bugs were dive bombing my face going toward the headlamp.

Deer scurrying in the bushes along with other critters. The frogs croaking and every other sound you hear on the swamp at night. The amazing part was the 100's of thousands fireflies all around me. Pitch black out trying to follow the white line and this electric light show of nature all around me. Truly sober trippy experience. Sensory deprivation at it's best. Not a lot of traffic on that back country road thankfully. But again, was hoping someone would have stopped to offer me a ride. Granted I would have stopped and camped if there was a suitable spot. Saw to signs for campgrounds but I didn't know how far off the 3 they were. So kept on trucking.

It was tuff! My body was exhausted and there are 0 services. Didn't pass a gas station or anything for over 40 miles. Out of water and energy. Pulled over and ate to packs of honey roasted peanuts I had with me. Was looking at peoples homes for a garden hose. Didn't see a thing and then finally made it to Chester. Great! Got to Chester and it was time to climb again. Over 130 miles finally get there and it's all up hill. Get almost to the top and see another budweiser sign. It was the local legion hall. Went in there had a root beer and filled my water bottles. Talked to the locals and off to the campground.

138 miles and just after midnight, made it! When I got to the location in the middle of this town there were about 15 or so other tents and bikes. Adventure cycling has an organized group that is riding the trams am trail and was staying there.

It was cool to see that. Woke up about 9 and missed all but one of them. They paid $4200 for the trip. The group was 16 deep and they supply meals. Pretty cool but I'm glad to do as I like.

Rich was up and ready to go. He was surprised to see me. Told him about my crazy day. Said he was going to go to Farmington. Another town on the trail about 50 miles away. Told him I was still planning on St Louis. He didn't want to get off trail again. So I said good bye thinking we were going to split up. Then I got a text from him. He didn't realize how close St Louis was and said he was in. So we're still rolling together and in St Louie tonight.

One of our buddies Nick is moving to Austin. He's actually in town visiting his dad. So we all met up tonight had dinner and went to the ball game. A really good end to a couple of shitty days with a couple of bad decisions.






Thats way too much and not enough. For now good night and sweet dreams. Also burnt over 11000 calories yesterday, kind of insane.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Saint Louis, MO