Touring - Quick 2 day ride along the river

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tarmac
07-27-04, 08:48 PM
I just completed a nifty 2 day/1 night biking & camping trip travelling along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. I started in downtown St. Louis, MO and travelled along local bike trails along the Mississippi into Illinois and along the Illinois River following Route 100. I camped at Pere Marquette State Park and biked back down Route 100 (called the "Great River Road") to Alton, then crossed the Clark Bridge into Missouri.

I travelled about 50 miles each day, mostly along bike trails on day 1, then along regular streets on day 2. The weather was fantastic! About 70-80 degrees F during the day, and 50-60 degree F at night. No rain, all sunshine with a few clouds. The only bad thing was the headwind I faced on day 1. I passed and saw the confluence of the Mississipi/Missouri Rivers and the Mississippi/Illinois Rivers. I crossed several local bridges as well. Here's some pics:

Me at the beginning-

http://www.warhammer40k.com/members/wh40k/iamnutz/mattbike1.jpg


The entrance to the old Chain of Rocks Bridge, now part of a dedicated biking/hiking trail-

http://www.warhammer40k.com/members/wh40k/iamnutz/mattbike2.jpg


The view from the Chain of Rocks bridge, with St. Louis, MO in the background-

http://www.warhammer40k.com/members/wh40k/iamnutz/mattbike3.jpg


The Clark Bridge in Alton, IL-

http://www.warhammer40k.com/members/wh40k/iamnutz/mattbike4.jpg


The bike trail across the Clark Bridge on day 2 (kind of scary, cars travel at highway speeds)-

http://www.warhammer40k.com/members/wh40k/iamnutz/mattbike5.jpg


My campsite at Pere Marquette State Park-

http://www.warhammer40k.com/members/wh40k/iamnutz/mattbike6.jpg


Mississippi River bluffs in Illinois along Route 100-

http://www.warhammer40k.com/members/wh40k/iamnutz/mattbike7.jpg


Tug and Barges heading upstream on the Mississippi River-

http://www.warhammer40k.com/members/wh40k/iamnutz/mattbike8.jpg



I has lots of fun, and I hope to complete longer trips in the future. Next up is the Katy Trail along the Missouri River this fall.

-Matt C.-

mtessmer
07-30-04, 02:45 PM
Hey, thanks for sharing, nice pictures, sounds like a good time.
pdxcyclist
07-30-04, 03:21 PM
Good pictures. Sounds like a fun trip.

photojtn
07-31-04, 09:27 AM
I just completed a nifty 2 day/1 night biking & camping trip travelling along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. I started in downtown St. Louis, MO and travelled along local bike trails along the Mississippi into Illinois and along the Illinois River following Route 100. I camped at Pere Marquette State Park and biked back down Route 100 (called the "Great River Road") to Alton, then crossed the Clark Bridge into Missouri.

I travelled about 50 miles each day, mostly along bike trails on day 1, then along regular streets on day 2. The weather was fantastic! About 70-80 degrees F during the day, and 50-60 degree F at night. No rain, all sunshine with a few clouds. The only bad thing was the headwind I faced on day 1. I passed and saw the confluence of the Mississipi/Missouri Rivers and the Mississippi/Illinois Rivers. I crossed several local bridges as well. Here's some pics:

Me at the beginning-

http://www.warhammer40k.com/members/wh40k/iamnutz/mattbike1.jpg


The entrance to the old Chain of Rocks Bridge, now part of a dedicated biking/hiking trail-

http://www.warhammer40k.com/members/wh40k/iamnutz/mattbike2.jpg


The view from the Chain of Rocks bridge, with St. Louis, MO in the background-

http://www.warhammer40k.com/members/wh40k/iamnutz/mattbike3.jpg


The Clark Bridge in Alton, IL-

http://www.warhammer40k.com/members/wh40k/iamnutz/mattbike4.jpg


The bike trail across the Clark Bridge on day 2 (kind of scary, cars travel at highway speeds)-

http://www.warhammer40k.com/members/wh40k/iamnutz/mattbike5.jpg


My campsite at Pere Marquette State Park-

http://www.warhammer40k.com/members/wh40k/iamnutz/mattbike6.jpg


Mississippi River bluffs in Illinois along Route 100-

http://www.warhammer40k.com/members/wh40k/iamnutz/mattbike7.jpg


Tug and Barges heading upstream on the Mississippi River-

http://www.warhammer40k.com/members/wh40k/iamnutz/mattbike8.jpg



I has lots of fun, and I hope to complete longer trips in the future. Next up is the Katy Trail along the Missouri River this fall.

-Matt C.-
Hey Matt, Wow does that bring back memories, I used to live in St. Louis (33 yrs) and did the Alton to Grafton about every week. Then I did rides through the apple orchards (Brussels ferry) to Hannibal. MO very beautiful ride all the way, spend the night and ride back to Alton. The thing I liked about that area is there was very little traffic made touring fun. I don't know if that's your first time riding the River Road, if it is then explore the entire area you'll find the back roads are fantastic also. (and ride the ferry)!
"Safe Riding" James