Date: August 20, 2005
Route: Galesburg , IL to Keokuk , IA
Distance: 96 miles
Ride Time: 7h
Elevation Climbed: 2230
Weather: hot and humid with strong head wind
Log
Melanie and I started out early this morning in light of the distance, heat, and humidity. The wind picked up immediately, straight from the south. The prediction of NW winds never materialized. We’ve been waiting for this to happen for the last 3 days but have been disappointed.
We had 2 and a half sheets of cues to follow so we had to stay alert or we would miss a turn. There could be no zoning out pedaling through the corn, corn, corn.
At mile 29 I was on my own working, hard to maintain 9mph on the flat. The day looked long, hot, and slow. Rick and Bill came along and provided a wind break in front of me. Immediately my speed increased to 14 mph --- and I was exerting less effort! At the sag stop 8 of us teamed up (see above picture) and we drafted the next 30 miles. We maintained a speed of about 15mph and the time just flew by. There were no extreme hills so I was able to stick with them on the recumbent.
At Nauvoo we separated for lunch or grocery stops. I had some jerky and a Gatorade while sitting on a bench watching the action --- of which there was very little. I stopped at the beautiful, new Mormon Temple overlooking the Mississippi . The gardens and grounds are beautiful and I happened upon a wedding.
I descended the bluff and rode the last 15 miles at the river’s edge. Lovely, old trees shaded the road and I could hear the lapping of the Mississippi as I rode along. This is the closest I have been to the river since leaving Lake Itasca . The river crossing into Iowa was easy with a friendly bridge, light traffic, and a decent shoulder. Keokuk sits on a lazy, peaceful stretch of the river.
