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| St. Louis, MI |
Day 1 Saturday. Starting across South Western Ontario. Made it to Paris before the rain started. The ride was nice once leaving 403 on to #5 when it was less trying to stay alive and being in beautiful surroundings.
Kept riding to Dutton, ON where I coasted into a gas station on fumes. Made it on to Hwy 8 heading West. Stopped in North Thamesville for directions. This is part of the Underground Railway Route. Past Drydon and on to Wallaceburg. Straight to the ferry. Had to ride through a pool of water over a foot deep. The ferry was just finishing up boarding, and being a bike they moved me on to the last little space on board. The collector came to talk to me about bikes. I was shivering for the ten minute ferry ride. Quickly went through customs and on to the coastal hwy to Troy, Mi. Found my hotel (Red Roof Inn) quickly. I was never so happy to check in. It was just before 3. A hot bath, dry clothes and on to a close restaurant for beer and dinner. It was no longer raining ! The female bartender had not been into Detroit for years and it was a 20 minute drive ! Back to American tv.
Day 2 If the first rainy day was hard, day 2 was fantastic. A long ride but great roads, no rain, bike running great ! Went west out of Troy to Lansing. From Ferndale (Detroit suburb) you can see middle class in spades. I wonder what supports them now. There is a large jewish area and the Henry Ford Memorial Hospital. One large home had an old movie projector as a mail box.
Then south east into ann arbor on a perfect road. Ann Arbor looks nice. West a bit until 52 south. Found another nice road. South to 12 heading west. Have to stop for batteries for the camera.
On 12 for a while and see lots and lots of corn growing. Also see some crops under water. There had been lots of rain the week before. Through Irish hills where lots of businesses no longer in operation. South out of Jonesville. Amish presence here. Through Hillsdale and into Ohio. Stopped for a pic. Only in Ohio for 30 minutes. Now heading west in Indiana. Will spend the rest of the day in this very nice state. The state is much larger than it seems. Was on no 9 going south until Marion. Stopped for gas in Converse. In Kokomo looking for Olive Garden but not wanting to drive around a small city, I went into Red Lobster about 7 pm. Then into Indianapolis and hotel (Sleep Inn on west side) by 9.30. Just before stopping I went in a grocery store for beer, but in this state you cannot buy beer on Sunday! The hotel staff recommended a pub close by and I went for a beer or two.
Day 3. Woke at 7.30 and it is wet outside! Weather channel says I will get some sun later when I get west of here. This ride to St. Louis, Mi is 6 hours per google.....more for me.
Left the city at 10 am. It is drizzling. Headed due south on 37. This road is under construction. Then there are signals every few miles ?
Made it to Bloomington at noon and the sun came out. Stopped in town for lunch sitting at a picnic table and got a few pics. Nice town. Still going south on 37 to Bedford. Found the bike route south out of Bedford on 450. GREAT road. Drove all the other roads to ride this one. Stopped for pics often. Got on the 50 /150 going west. Nice hwy that took me into Illinois at 3:15. Stopped in Salem, Il at MacDonalds just to get off the bike for a bit and get a small burger. Was diverted off the hwy by a sherif. Across a gravel road for a few miles until routed back on Hwy 50 which was nice, new pavement for a little while. Needed gas in Lawrence. Just after this town is a correctional institute. Not very attractive - drive faster. I could smell gas/oil. In the fields of crops there were small oil pumper and a tank to hold the oil. I saw a deer cross the highway in front of me. Long day on the bike and I may be the only one wearing a helmet ! Made it to the hotel at 7.15. I had crossed the Central time zone so it is an hour earlier. At a Sheraton in a suburb called Fairview Heights. The pool is quite small. Not much in the way of sidewalks so I went to a near by ShoGun for a beer. Back to the hotel and talked to the bartender and the cook as I was the only one there. She said it had been raining for 3 weeks. Tim and I discussed American politics for a hour. Smart young black man !
Day 4 Clear skies all day. The condensation is still in my tachometer. Took the $ 2.50 MetroLink into St. Louis, Missouri. Free parking. Had breakfast on a patio and then went to the waterfront. At the old courthouse was getting a ticket for the Steamboat tour. But the water level is too high and it has been cancelled. There is NOT one boat on the Mississippi River ! The old Courthouse is beautiful - stained glass and there is a free museum exhibit. Went to the Arch. The way there is under construction that will be complete by 2017. Should return then. There are nice parks downtown and it is clean and quiet. One way streets abound. Spent two hours and then back to pick up my gear and head out at noon.
On to Louisville, KY. South from St. Louis takes me to #15. I will cross the southern state on this secondary highway. Stop in Albion for lunch. South on 130 to # 14. But the rain has washed out the road that takes you across into Indiana. So I back track 20 kms and get on Interstate 64 and East into New harmony just before 3 pm.
This is where Route 66 begins on the west side of Indiana.
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| Route 66 Indiana |
It is a great road - one lane with overhanging trees, nice pavement, little traffic. But no shoulder to stop to take pictures. Stopped in Wadesville for gas and a guy asked me if I traveled all the way from Ontario. Hit a larger city called Evansville which is under construction. Lost site of 66 and ended up on a bridge into Kentucky. Did a u turn and asked a guy for directions back to 66. It is a divided, two lane highway now. But back to what you expect on Route 66 in a few miles. On a small stretch ahead I can see an arrow and there is a hair pin turn that leads to a sharp incline - 1st gear and a great test of skills ! Just after Tell City is a small place called Rocky Point. Another detour as the road must be un passable. But the detour is due north and a fantastic ride! It runs into # 70 which will hook back onto # 66 in a few miles. Now the road is following the Ohio River. After Sulpur Springs I get off 66 and onto # 62 heading east. Nice ride but I am low on gas. Found it in Corydon and then onto Hwy 64 and onto Louisville. Actually across the Ohio river in Jeffersonville, Illinois. The sun is setting behind me. On #265 there is construction and the lanes south are divided. It looked like I was driving into the construction workers area so I slowed right down. The 18 wheeler behind me may not appreciate that, but perhaps he could have had some distance. Got out of this chaos area and onto the ramp where I could see the Sheraton right away. It is 9:00 pm.
When my sister, Cath, is involved the room always seems so nice! Saw a bolt of lightning driving in but it is very nice out now. Went to the pub right around the corner for a brew and Fried Green tomatoes just because. The ducks are at the shore but not too busy on the patio. Louisville is all lit up across the river. Last call is at 10:15 pm. Really ? But you can buy beer from the hotels bar so the guy on the elevator with two beer tells me.
Day 5 Awake at 7:30 and head out for breakfast. I chat with a few people walking for directions and questions about walking into Louisville. There is a dedicated pedestrian bridge! Found a nice coffee shop. Packed up and drove into the city of Louisville. Parked for $3.00 and got a ticket for the boat tour. Had an hour so I wandered downtown. Very bicycle friendly city. You can see the money in this state. People must be use to visitors and say hi. One gentleman that you just know owns a horse ranch outside the city said "morning". Found the Louisville museum, gift shop. A baby t shirt said There is no crying in baseball. Got on the two hour cruise at noon. All my gear was on the bike and when I returned it was all there. Head out of town just after two. Several miles east it began to rain. I was on the highway so no problems with quick stops so I continued riding until Frankfort where I got gas. It smells lovely with the rain. I stick to the secondary hwy into Lexington. Hit all the red lights and now it is really raining and 6:00 pm. My oil light is flickering. I found a not so great motel and booked in. At 7 I went to the KFC near by and it was no longer raining.
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| Louisville, KY |
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| Louisville |
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| Louisville |
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| S central Michigan |
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| Slugger Museum |
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| Louisville |
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| Kentucky |
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| Ohio |
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| N.E Indiana |
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| Bloomington, IN |
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| Bloomington, IN |
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| Bloomington mall |
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| Best ride in IN |
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| Deserted covered bridge, IN |
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| Ohio River |
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| West of Louisville |
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| Sheraton |
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| View of Louisville across river |
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| Jeffersonville, IN |
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| Fried green tomatoes here |
Day 6 Out of Lexington at 8:00 am (roads are wet) where I realize I have left my wet gloves behind. This is where the hills have some very interesting shapes. Stop in Owingsville for breakfast. Picked up 11 north. Stopped for a picture of a covered bridge. Through Poplar Plains which is no longer popular ! On 32 and stop for gas. North into Maysville. Crossed the Ohio river into Ohio at 11:30 am. Follow the river on # 52 for a few miles until 41 North. Spend a few hours on this. Some rain but mostly a great ride. It is sometimes even hot out. Stop in the outskirts of Circleville for gas at 1:30. On 138 until 104 North which will take me right into the south of Columbus. Which is Germantown. I find a good looking motel just after 3. Check in and change and walk out to the sites. A lot of the streets are cobbled. It is nice and quiet here on a Thursday evening.
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| Germantown, Columbus, OH |
Found an Irish pub in Brewery District and then to Columbus Brewery. Sat at the bar where two smart, educated women included me in their conversation. I had a really good supper and then walked back to the room.
Day 7 I am up and out early for coffee. Then I rented a bicycle for 1/2 hour and rode around the area. Check out by 9:00 am. Headed to NW Columbus to the motorbike store to replace my gloves.
On 23 North which goes all the way to Toledo - at the border of Michigan. Some construction around Upper Sandusky. Stop for gas in Carey just after noon.
Riding through Fostoria which has many closed businesses and boarded up houses. The concept of walking away from a house is foreign to me, unfortunately not to a lot of Americans.
My options for food are limited so I stop at Arby's for lunch around 1.
Managed to get through Toledo without seeing Lake Erie. I am on Interstate 75 which is ALSO under construction ! Stop at the Michigan visitor centre for a new map. Now I am in Detroit. At one point I get off the highway for # 3. But all I can see is red lights, a building with no doors and destitute people so I turn around back to Hwy 94. At 29 I go east through New Baltimore, MI.
Got to the ferry with 3 minutes to wait for loading. Only 4 vehicles on this trip. The water is choppy, but it is a beautiful bay. Through customs quickly and north into Sarnia. Steph and I find a nice restaurant for dinner.
Day 8 Left Sarnia about 11am on the 402. After London I get onto a secondary highway. Stop in Ingersoll to capture the Honda at 88,888 kms.
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| 88,888 kms Honda |
At home I wash the bike by hand and tape my maps together.
This song from 1980 is playing in my head: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur8ftRFb2Ac
Ride Like the Wind - Christopher Cross.
