We awoke today well rested, ready for the hills to be behind us. Our route was clear, planned out, and we were ready to finally put up some big numbers. Chuck and I filled our Camelbacks from the ice machine and the group hit the road.

Before leaving Muscatine, we stopped at a really neat store called Harpers Cyclery. Harpers had all of the items we needed. Roger and I needed some socks, Laura needed a water bottle cage, and we had yet to replace the backup tube that I blew on the crack a few days ago.

When we showed the staff our route, they suggested we change plans. Apparently the towns on the route have not been the same since the flooding in 2008 and we would have struggled to find any food or water for quite a while. They suggested we cross over to Illinois and ride that side. One of the owners (Charlie?) hopped on his big wheel and took us to the start of a local levee bike trail that would take us directly to the bridge over the Mississippi. Thanks guys!

We passed a Heinz Ketchup Factory, and we all thought of Mike, my little brother.....he sure loves the stuff. I sure miss him and Andy.

Crossing the bridge was exciting; the expansion cracks had metal plates for cyclists to ride over however our trikes didn't really fit.

The Illinois side immediately looked bleak. After days of terrible roads in Iowa, we were hit with road construction and rough road signs. We continued on, to discover that a rough road in Illinois is better than a nice road in Iowa. The road was brand new and perfect.

Sadly, there was a 15mph headwind all day which Laura and Taters struggled against. They tired quickly and the fresh blacktop was darn hot to ride on. After slowly chugging along at 8-10 mph for a few hours, we needed a rest.

Many towns even on this side seem to have not entirely returned after the flooding last year. We had to settle for lunch at a Caseys general store in Keithsburg. As we ate, we decided that fighting the wind was futile and we should simply cut our losses and save our energy for tomorrow. We tried to call ahead to Oquawka for one of the two hotels listed in our book. No luck. The only nearby lodging will be the nearby state park called River side park ??.

While at the Caseys in Keithsberg, chuck purchased a 6 lb bag of ice for $1.50. He put some in our helmets, some in his camelback, filled Katie's camelback, and filled his thermos. I though he should get a 2nd one for sitting on his lap over the next few miles, but he didn't.

The wind was a bit of a bummer. It frustrates me that we are not going further in a day, our group is getting stronger but we are continually have setbacks which limit our miles. If the wind changes, watch out.

Here at the campsite, I lay in the tent typing this to be posted later. The rain comes and goes. Each time it starts I have to put the laptop away and grab my towel....this tent ain't waterproof. Laura and Katie are also taking water, though I think they are still afloat.

Katie doesn't much like it here; she can't get a cell signal.

For dinner we ate the emergency meal that I had packed (chili); tomorrow we will have to stock back up on food. As we cooked in the pavilion, the rain started, the thunder and lightning battled, and we waited out the storm. The chili will hold us over until tomorrow, and roger has some cereal bars packed to get us to the next town. The girls didn't like the storm much, and were cold. Us guys loved it.

The girls wanted to pitch their tent in the pavilion, but I suggested otherwise. I was concerned that the warden would return and make them take a campsite. Soon after, the rain hit and the floor of the pavilion mostly flooded.

The water here has warnings about nitrates. It says it isn't safe for babies so I am not going to drink any if I can help it. My camelback is empty now though, and both of my bottles. I may have to have a bit in the morning to get me to town....about 9 miles.

At least the showers are nice and cool. The girls froze.

It is 9:30pm; hopefully it is done raining now. The camp host stopped by and said it might not stop until 11. I am not sure how much more damp my gear can get before it starts causing problems. Deep into my bags I now will stuff my laptop.

Man, this tent is like a hot sticky sauna....but the frogs sound cool and a neat bird sounds like it is considering attacking roger. Good times.

41 miles (330 total)
Google Earth File