Further Down The Road

The New One

As I made my pre-bicycling smoothie, started singing How Can You Mend a Broken Heart? out of nowhere and it stuck in my head for quite a while. My heart didn't feel broken but maybe it broke sometime in the middle of what felt like a rather long week...

A bunch of parks and recreation folks reminded me of a chain gang and I started singing a very off-key version of Chain of Fools. Also sang Home on the Range and Happy. Poor Alison had to listen to me sing.

Alison and I decided to tackle the entire Riverfront Trail since we both felt really good. After bicycling on the Chain of Rocks Bridge, I'll round it up to a nice even tally of 22 miles...

Finally tackled something on my to-do list. It dawned on me that I have a man's bike with a seat made for, surprise, a man. The bike felt right and still feels right except for the seat (past tense).

Could have saved myself money if I had purchased a woman's bike but you know what they say about hindsight.

Picked up my bike at lunch yesterday, headed to the shop after work and consulted with a tech. My favorite part of this visit was the tech's rather involved explanation of why my brakes are making noise. At any rate, my ride was much more comfortable today but the real test will be my assessment of the situation tomorrow and, further down the road, the challenge of back-to-back rides.

Reward for Going Uphill

Cakeway to the West, Happy 250 STL

Bicycling on  Chain of Rocks Bridge

Arch's Reflection

Picture This: Along The Trail

Saw these cyclists as I was loading my bike and later on as I was heading to meet Ena at the STL Riverfront Trail. The cyclists were in such a good mood and why not? It was a gorgeous day for a ride. Ena and I had not set out to do 22 miles but the weather was perfect and the sun was showing off and there's just something magical about being on a bike and being by the water.

I Hang Back While Ena Tackles The Hill




Chain of Rocks Bridge

The Arch from the Chain of Rocks Bridge





The Arch from Lenore K. Sullivan Blvd

Detour Takes Me By Busch Stadium -- So Far The Cardinals Are Winning 6-2, Top of the 5th

I sure don't feel like doing anything right now -- not cooking or anything. Bring out the proverbial fork -- not to eat (unless you've cooked) because I am done.

What did you do today? And a curious mind wants to know what's the longest you've ever bicycled or swam or...? Any Ironwomen or Ironmen out there among us?


Postscript: Ena got some great shots of the bridge. I like her photo of me riding for two reasons: she took it while riding her bike (Ena, great coordination) and the picture also allows me to see the progress that I've made.

The Road 'Drea Traveled

I'm completely enjoying The St. Louis Riverfront Trail. Okay, when I was in the industrial area, it did smell like Grant's Farm but, as I moved further along the trail, it wasn't an issue.

My goal was to make it to the nine mile marker today before I turned around. I never saw the marker but it certainly felt like nine plus miles. I caught a glimpse of the Chain of Rocks Bridge but I didn't have enough in the tank to push to that point but I'll make it there soon.

My MP3 player is doing something very quirky. It would only play three songs. I'm glad that I left it at home last time. So, riding unplugged was not a huge deal today. However, listening to up-tempo music does help me gut it out and I need to find out what is wrong with my little device.

Going The Extra Mile

As soon as I got on my bike, I realized that I had left my MP3 player at home which was a bit deflating.

After the first mile, I hardly noticed the lack of music and, on the way back, I provided my own soundtrack. My apologies to the other riders because I was definitely off-key.

I decided that I want to work my way up to the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Last week, I was able to do 14 miles and, today, I was able to bicycle for a total of 16.


I probably forgot my MP3 player because I was so busy packing my Gatorade, water, apple and camera. Oh well, I enjoyed myself on what is fast becoming my favorite place to bicycle, The St. Louis Riverfront Trail.

'Drea On The Levee

I was looking for a new place to bicycle and asked a friend about the St. Louis Riverfront Trail. She said that it was one of her favorite trails but she also advised me not to go in the afternoon because she had seen some shady looking characters.

I stuffed my bike in the trunk and headed downtown but before I went, I did some research (The St. Louis Riverfront Trail).

I wasn't quite sure where I would park but part of Lenore K. Sullivan Blvd. was closed, I guess, after Live On The Levee. I'm glad that it was closed because it led me past the President Casino and to the parking area for the trail.

My friend's words rang in my ears because, as I started out, there was this guy splayed out on the ground like a starfish. I imagine that he was tired because he had about five very full bags of aluminum cans.

I am impressed with the STL Riverfront Trail. The part that I traveled on was mostly paved and flat which did not hurt my feelings. The signage is good and I like the art work and, even, poetry along the way. In fact, the bollards ahead sign amused me greatly. I hadn't even heard of a bollard until today.








I can see why my friend likes the riverfront trail but I can also see why she cautioned me as well. It was reassuring to see other bicyclists along the way.

The first three miles are not very scenic and levee walls comprise the scenery. At some points, it looks like you're looking at the underbelly of the city. In addition, the chemical smell is not nice but endurable.




My goal was to make it from the downtown area to the Chain of Rocks Bridge but by the time that I got to Riverview Blvd. and mile seven, I had to admit to myself that I was a bit wiped out and I needed something in the tank to get back to the beginning of the trail. Although I had eaten breakfast, I should have taken a snack.

There are several rest areas, including one around the three mile point where you can you can fix a flat, get some water or use the restroom. Otherwise, you'd probably have to detour on one the accessible streets like Humboldt, E. Grand or Riverview.

I enjoyed my bike ride, appreciated the declines, loved having the whistling wind at my back and singing at the top of my lungs.