I document here what I feel might be a perfect pack, clothing wise. Soviet Russia next level Tetris with the layers. Sans the spare underwear and socks. I’m able to wear almost all of this at once when it’s cold riding and cold non riding — which are two different colds. So far, this setup has worked wonders this ride, with temperatures fluxing from 32° to 75° in wind and rain and sunshine. I’ll document the specific items in an updated packing list page when I get home.

Ok back to morning here on day whatever day it is. 8. The ocho.

It’s mind-numbing here at the bare bones best western plus breakfast. I know my map position, is this really the best we got? it’s not even that I’m the only one here, or that the woman working asks if I’ll be here tomorrow, “it’ll be better tomorrow”. It’s my subjugation to the American news media. Right not right now it’s my first dose of the news in many moons. And. The news is that pumpkin patch visits are at an all time high?! This is where I use a phrase I never you. “I can’t”. I grab some apples and eat a couple push button pancakes with some pretty good coffee.

Some ladies walk in and we trade good mornings. They both do something here. Later they and another guy all get the news of reduced breakfast something we other. It’s deeper than I thought. There’s some sort of re start going on. Or something. I dunno. Like there wasn’t even any breakfast before today. My suspicions stir. I also couldn’t care less. Both. At the same time. The TV interrupts with breaking news and it’s a totally different not your usual-three-faces face on the screen, so it could be really real. Quick prayer to the spoke gods that Stevie Wonder is breathing easily somewhere in, I dunno — Bali. Whew. It’s just something about being Someone got shot and killed. Non descriptive. Def not Stevie. I can’t tell myself back in society, “I didn’t know someone getting shot and killed was still news in America”. The one lady responds “yeah, and maybe we could have some good news”. Hell yeah. She even knows about the brewery.

I’m glad I get some chilly anti inflammatory pool time and super stank laundry done. Worth the inside sleep and leaving the trail a bit for one night.

I’ve settled into this 8-9mph trail pace and 40-50 daily mileage. It’s less than my usual, but you know…. Also, less creative, more contemplative. Miles on a trail. The longest contiguous in the US and A. Other states please connect your trails into long ones.

Today is the pivot day and the cross the Mighty Mississippi day. I follow the Missouri River to the Mississippi river. Confluence. I pivot off of this non motorized rail trail to vehicular roads and other shorter trails for the next 300 miles to Chicago.

It. Is. The. Last twelve miles on the Katy. Imma miss you Katy. I think I’m in love. I still do my best to hang at as many trailheads as I can with only a few of them left. Then it’s even less than I thought. Too bad. So sad. A few moments of rest and electrolytes at Black Walnut. Some history here and there. Jim Beckwourth lived a hell of a life on earth. Puns. Funs. I enjoy the silence. The sounds of only nature… without speeding cage-like death machines that have illegal muffler things happening. Pavement is pending.

A side by side:

Trail:

Slower, no vehicles, more wildlife, no steep inclines, nearly infinite pee stops, sometimes hard to find drinking water. Mostly trailheads but the occasional super cool sitch.

Road:

Faster moving, navigation, loud music to drown out vehicular traffic times, hills, cold drinks a plenty, infinite road kill, much more stimuli in general.

Some MAMIL in bright latex screams at me, “You’re one of those screws heads!” as we cruise by each other on bicycles. Mean too. His look let me know. Welcome to Illinois Bike paths. I’m sure that guy has 1 million ways to list how I’m crazy or whatever. You may be right. I may be crazy. But it just be a lunatic that you’re looking for. Yeah, OK buddy. I gave you the Billy Joel so now relax. I just got here and I’m gonna be here all week so go hate yourself somewhere else. I roll off thinking, Fur realz tho if u wanna b mad letz hate the cars together.

I leave the trail at the terminus via a non sanctioned way. A way people beg others online not to do. Basically I allow a gps file for someone’s route on ridewithgps (they don’t pay me) to convince me to trespass. I change my route and instead of taking the grafton ferry, I save the miles and decide to head over the separated bike lane on Clark Bridge. US67 I think. This involves cutting thru the trees to a cross and existing rail line to a farm road that looks public. When I get to the end of it, I’m now clearly at the end of a shared driveway, the for sure public road is 30 yards away and there’s a 40 foot chain hanging across my way. I jump off and decide to just keep stepping. I duck under the chain near the far right post, I’m about 20 feet last the chain when I set of a motion detector and all hell of sirens break looose. Oh shit. I do not change walking pace but as soon as the gravel evens out I remount and roll. The squealing sirens finally cease as I turn right on the road and I wave and yell my apologies. Then I deal with cars and I cross the Mighty on this bridge. Traffic is low volume but there’s debris a plenty. I forgot that on the list up there. Nimble to avoid nails. Illinois. Land of Lincoln brings Lincolns and Landcruisers.