Day 10 (9/28)

After staying in a St. Louis hotel last night. I waited until after rush hour to make my way out of the city.  Traffic was still heavy and it was the most stressful riding of the tour so far. There were many "Share the Road" signs but there was no road to share with narrow lanes and no shoulder.  At times I rode on the sidewalk. I crawled out of the city  at an average speed of 9 MPH.  Finally, after 20 miles I reached the turn-off where the traffic finally thinned out. 

But then came the hills (see elevation chart)  There was an abrupt change in the terrain with steep climbs and fast descents.  I could not get into any kind of rhythm.  Good thing I did not have far to go today. At the 36 mile mark, my friend and former colleague, Scott, picked me up and took me to his lovely home for some needed R&R.  Between the city traffic and the climbs it was a tough day on the bike, but a short one with a happy ending.

Riding through St. Louis with no Road to Share

Change in Terrain