A Vacation Of Sorts

You get spoiled by making play dates to exercise with others and while I knew that I would miss meeting up with my peeps, I didn't despair because I like my own company too.

The forecast was for stellar weather and I wanted to honor the stellar by exercising outdoors. Lingered in bed a bit then made preparations for departure. Felt like I was going on vacation as I gathered stuff and bicycling on the riverfront did feel like a vacation of sorts.

Headphones, check. Orange slices, check.

I might have hit the trail by my lonesome but I wasn't alone. There were plenty of people to engage with and it was nice to see so many kids out.

There is a sizable hill before you make it to the end of the Riverfront Trail and to the Chain of Rocks Bridge. I hit the proverbial wall -- big time. That orange that I packed and ate while on the bridge was one of the best oranges that I've ever had.

View From Chain of Rocks, Arch in the Distance

Up-Close View Again

I racked up 22 miles which would represent a slow day for Patti*. Still, my appreciation for mileage has been renewed.

*Checked with Patti and she got in 31 miles...

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.

Weekend Review

I went to get a massage on Saturday, my first one outside of a five minute bench massage that I got from Whole Foods by an advanced Rolf practitioner.

I thought that I deserved a massage after two years and five months of a rather hardcore regimen. Even as I thought that I had earned a massage, I did feel like an hour long massage was just that -- long and I even wondered why people would get a two hour massage. Boy, I was mistaken. That hour was the quickest one of my life and I was so sleepy afterwards.

Later in the day, I went swimming and managed to get in 20 laps. On Sunday, I bicycled on The St. Louis Riverfront Trail. I always think that there are no more pictures to be taken on the trail. Yet, I still take my camera and the trail did not disappoint. I saw wild bouquets and turkeys. The Arch beckoned as usual.






On another note, I saw this article, Woman's Shattered Life Shows Flaws in Beef Inspection, and I'm done with ground beef.

'Drea's Top Ten List

I'm usually happy to see the Arch come into view when I'm on the St. Louis Riverfront Trail.



When I see this scrawled, homemade sign, I'm relieved especially when it's been a rough ride because the finish line really is just a heartbeat away when I see this graffiti.



I saw lots of tailgaters but was surprised to see so many Packers' fans who ended up with plenty of reasons to celebrate since the Packers beat, with a capital B, the St. Louis Rams.

I didn't think that I would have a place to park but the football fans left the trail parking to the bikers. Thank you. In honor of my bicycle jones, here is 'Drea's Top Ten list of why she enjoys bicycling:

10). Throwing leg over bike frame at the start line.

9). The open trail.

8). The scenery/nature.

7). The wild turkeys, frogs, cardinals etc.

6). Flying down hills.

5). Leaning into curves.

4). The feeling of balance.

3). The feeling of movement.

2). The workout of lifting the bike before the bike ride.

And the number one reason?

1). The calories burned.

The Return

I left everything that I had and more on the St. Louis Riverfront Trail. I was so excited when I started off. I love to see the starting line. I know that once I take a right turn, I'm off and the trail will span out before me for miles and miles.


After I went past mile marker eight, I could see The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge and I continued to head in that direction until I came up on the side of it.






On the way back, two people asked me if I was okay. Thanks to you both -- the woman in the pink shirt and the older woman with the bicycles on her socks. When the woman with bicycle socks inquired, I was thinking it's easy for you because of the tandem ride. I guess sarcasm kicks in when you're struggling and, possibly, dehydrated. I prepared two bottles of water but left one in the car. I was so happy to see this descent along with the one at the four and a half mile point.


The view was awesome and I was grateful that I didn't have to pedal. I had to do a lot of talking to myself on the way back. The St. Louis Riverfront Trail almost became a Trail of Tears because I was seriously bonking. I started off singing but I was silent on the return trip. When I got back to the car, I saw that it had taken me two and a half hours to complete my trip.

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.