Data: 97.4 miles Riding time 5:15 (18.6 mph avg)
We crossed the Mighty Mississippi River! On a ferry! On the ferry that's the longest continuously operating ferry on the Mississippi (since 1853). Hard to believe we're already in Illinois. This bike trip continues to be fabulous.
Here some of us are rolling our bikes onto the ferry. Paul Beechan was proud that the ferry was named after him! Notice how it is a tug boat attached to the side of a barge. We bicyclists went across at different times as we finished our lunches.
Interestingly, just upriver was Lock and Dam #20, and we got to watch a tug with 15 barges tied together (5 long and 3 wide) lock through (although they had to disassemble the barges for the lock, and then reassemble to continue on). I fantasized about how in a few years, I would have my own boat just south of here on the Mississippi as I headed south on the Great Loop cruise. This photo shows part of the tug/barge load headed past us after it was done locking down and was reassembled.
The lunch stop, at mile 71, was my favorite so far -- under huge shade trees right on the Mississippi. I got this photo from our ferry as we left the dock.
Prior to reaching the Mississippi, while still in the rolling hills of Missouri, I was roaring along with an avg speed of 19 mph. I think my legs may have felt better than most since I had taken it kind of easy for the final 55 miles yesterday. The terrain was similar to yesterday, with beautiful homes and farms. I feel kind of guilty for not taking photos of all the picturesque homes - so many of them I think were worthy of a photo, but I'd have been stopping every 30 seconds. We passed sheep and goat farms, and my "bahhing" got one or two responses.
While still in Missouri, we came across another Amish buggy riding along in our direction. We were told they do not particularly like having their photos taken, so instead of pulling in front and taking an oncoming photo, I took it again from behind him. I did look back and nod a hello to him as I passed, and he was very traditional with the black clothes, hat, and long beard. In the photo, you can see Steve Bryant passing him.
Once in Illinois, it became completely flat. What a change! We went eastward a few miles, then south to Quincy. Kasper took this photo of me in my aero position as I rode alone for many miles. In fact, Greg Nelson remarked how fast I was cruising because it took his Dutch Masters (Kasper's peloton) many miles of organized riding to catch me.
As we neared Quincy, the road came back alongside the river, and it was interesting to see that the homes built along the shoreline were on stilts about 25-feet high. They had to climb ladders to get to their homes. It showed just how high the river can get at flood levels. This picture is another indication of the flood levels, when it would appear they deliver mail by boat! hahaha
Quincy is a pretty big city, and was Illinois' 2nd largest town back in the late 19th century. The Mormons settled near here when they were kicked out of Missouri in 1839. Germans immigrated here in the 1850s. Also, the rich folks from Chicago would build their "weekend getaway" mansions here.
The bike route took us down a tree-lined boulevard, Maine Street, with the most amazing homes. Again, I wished I could photo every one of them. It seemed like we were in Beverly Hills. The picture here is a mansion now serving as the Quincy Museum, and was on a cover of National Geographic Magazine as one of 10 architecturally significant corners in the U.S.
The suspension bridge crossing the river between Hannibal and Quincy was new (1986), huge, and spectacular to behold.
Once we arrived at the motel, Brian Smole, who also went to Ohio State, and I walked to a Steak and Shake and had large milk shakes. It's become the thing to do after a ride, to seek out milkshakes or ice cream. A bunch of them try hard to find Dairy Queens.
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