Carbondale, IL to Chester, IL – ~53 Miles
So it finally happened. I forgot to turn on my Strava app when I started riding today. I used Max’s miles to estimate how far I rode today…
Anyways today was a somewhat slow start. I can never really force myself out of bed quickly when I’m in an actual bed. Had some cereal and coffee. Then said bye to Jack, Sebastian (Jack’s dog), and Dries. Probably got on the road around 9 am.
Made pretty good time to Murphysboro and stopped for a snack. By the time I was getting back on the bike it was already 1130 and the local brewery opened at noon, so I decided to go check it out. I told Jack and Dries I’d let them know if I was going to check it out, so I sent them a text and they met me there. It was called the Big Muddy Brewery and is named after the Muddy River that runs right through town and then into the Mississippi.
Beers were pretty good. They didn’t have food, so Jack went and grabbed some meatball subs from a local spot and brought them back. Just the energy I needed to finish the ride.
Got back on the road sometime after 2 pm. I took an alternate route from Murphysboro to Chester which takes you on the levee right near the Mississippi River. As it left Murphysboro it opened up to low lying flood plans. You could see really far and it was really flat, so if the wind wasn’t blowing in your face you could keep a really fast pace.
I rolled into Chester at around 6 pm. I guess the guy who created the cartoon Popeye is from here, so there are Popeye statues everywhere. The Fraternal Order of the Eagles, which is like an Elk or Moose club, let’s Trans Am cyclists stay in a room they have outfitted with bunks and stuff. It’s basically a bar with sand volleyball pits out back and stuff. Pretty awesome. I had a feeling that Max and his friend would be here and sure enough when I walked in they were sitting at the bar.
Max’s friend’s name is Julie. She took the Underground Railroad route from Columbus, Oh to meet up with the Trans Am in Marion, Ky. Her final destination is Portland to start a new job. Awesome way to get across the country to start your new job!
We went and grabbed some food at a local restaurant called Wally’s since the oven was down at the Eagles. Food was delicious. Went and got a shake at McDonalds after and now I’m back sitting at the bar at the Eagles Lodge. Life is good.
