Shaun Rides His Bike

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Day 12: Granite City, IL to Wildwood, MO

I woke to cloudless blue skies and brisk temperatures, and the ever-present wind, and it was great! Yesterday’s storm left no visible traces. I found myself yelling joyfully – when I got away from other people, who might think I was crazy!

When I got to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, it was 8:24 am. I know this because there is a gate on the eastern end of the bridge, and it was locked! A sign said it would open “by 9:00am,” so found a bench and sat down to do my daily Duolingo lessons (Spanish, 810 days in a row!) and Wordle.

Sometime before 9:00am, the gate was unlocked and I proceeded. The last time I was on this bridge, in 2000, it was crowded. It was almost magical being the only person on the bridge. Again, I was yelling happily! There’s just something that makes my skin tingle when I cross the Mississippi River!

The trail on the Missouri side, parallel to the Mississippi River, was interesting. The waterfront is peppered with industrial businesses, and the railroad is on the other side of the trail, so there is a lot of truck traffic across, and sometimes on, the trail, but the truck drivers are very careful and polite.

As I got closer to the downtown area, though, the trail abruptly and mysteriously disappeared, and I discovered downtown St. Louis is a little challenging to navigate on a bicycle. I was going the wrong way on one-way streets, and riding on sidewalks, but eventually I got back to the ACA route.

Riding through St. Louis was not really fun. I’d ignored the ACA’s alternate route that goes around St. Louis, and that might have been more interesting, but I did want to see the city. I just don’t think this was a really interesting part of the city. But I have no regrets. The weather was nice, and the traffic was tolerable.

Within a mile or two of my destination for the night, I met another cyclist, also a bike tourist. Hugh escorted me to my hotel, and has indicated he might ride with me for a while tomorrow.

I’ll be glad to get back to more rural areas!

The closed gate on the eastern end of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.
The closed gate on the eastern end of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.
My first view of the bridge, through the closed gate.
My first view of the bridge, through the closed gate.
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River.
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River.
You can see both of the water intake buildings south of the bridge (that look like castles in the water) in this picture. The closer one was built in 1915, and the farther one in 1894.
You can see both of the water intake buildings south of the bridge (that look like castles in the water) in this picture. The closer one was built in 1915, and the farther one in 1894.
The mighty Mississippi River!
The mighty Mississippi River!
A very neglected bridge.
A very neglected bridge.
I like that this sign indicates the shared use of this area.
I like that this sign indicates the shared use of this area.
The historic Cotton Belt Freight Depot. I decided not to get closer, because the area looked a little sketchy. I saw a few people standing around a drum with smoke and fire coming out of it, and quite a few dilapidated tents. I kind of regret not being a little more brave!
The historic Cotton Belt Freight Depot. I decided not to get closer, because the area looked a little sketchy. I saw a few people standing around a drum with smoke and fire coming out of it, and quite a few dilapidated tents. I kind of regret not being a little more brave!
This bridge caught my eye. This is the Eads Bridge, started in 1867 and completed in 1874, and it was the first bridge crossing the Mississippi south of the Missouri River, and is now the oldest bridge across the Mississippi!
This bridge caught my eye. This is the Eads Bridge, started in 1867 and completed in 1874, and it was the first bridge crossing the Mississippi south of the Missouri River, and is now the oldest bridge across the Mississippi!
The Gateway Arch, from the side. I thought it looked a little like a Möbius Strip.
The Gateway Arch, from the side. I thought it looked a little like a Möbius Strip.
Wide angle view of the whole arch from the river trail. I was getting dizzy trying to peer at the top.
Wide angle view of the whole arch from the river trail. I was getting dizzy trying to peer at the top.
Hugh outside my hotel. He was recruiting businesses to join the Bicycle Benefits program!
Hugh outside my hotel. He was recruiting businesses to join the Bicycle Benefits program!

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