We had a decent start time the next morning wheels on the road at 9. Supposed to be hot for the next week. Hot weather is not my friend. As we were leaving the hotel another cyclist pulled out of Walmart. We rode together for awhile. This am we started on a busy four lane road. There was a question as to whether or not there was a bridge out. It turned out that there was done construction but it didn't bother us. We got through Murphysboro with no problems. We had a choice of Routes today. One was a hillier route, the other was riding on the levee on the Mississippi river. Several cyclists recommended the Levee route so off we went. The road started out great. Hardly any traffic with views of the river. Then a car came up behind us blowing the horn for quite awhile as he passed us. When we stopped to check our map as we got on route 3 an older couple in a van pulled over and asked where we were going. Then he said you aren't riding on Route 3 are you? There is a place where coal trucks are off loading barges filled with coal. It's very busy with no shoulders. He told us to go to Cape giraardeau and around. Then he said have a blessed day and drove away. We checked the map and what he suggested was a 50 mike detour. After we turned onto Route 3 there was no traffic. We got off route 3 as much as possible. For lunch the only thing available (with air conditioning) was a bar. Today's special? Sloppy joes potato salad cole slaw and cake. That works! Especially the German chocolate cake.
The other cyclist we saw this am pulled up just as we left. His name is Juan. He's from Columbia. He was going to the same place we were. The Eagles in Chester had a bicycle hostel. We told Juan we see him later. The road wasn't bad at all until we got to the place where the coal trucks were unloading the barges and then going to Chester. It was a constant stream of trucks both directions. Not a good situation. They barely gave us room. I checked google maps and found a side road into Chester. The sign said Truck Bypass but none of them took that route. Glad to be off of that road. We had a huge climb into town but a lot safer. We were pretty hot after the climb so we stopped for a cherry slush. Juan pulled up just then. He had come into town on Route 3. We all made it!
We made it to the Eagles. It really is a nice set up. A bunk room. Showers and rest rooms. We ate fried chicken at the Eagles. No problem sleeping!
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