St. Louis Rte 66 Chain of Rocks Bridge Birthday Bash by Trailnet

[terryk]

I grew up by the old Chain of Rocks bridge...above it on the bluffs to be exact. Here's my story and I'm stickin' to it....

True story:
Around 1972-3 I got my first road bike--a red 10 speed Peugeot that cost 200.00. Back then, that was hot stuff. I even had cages put on the peddles!
I rode alone as there were no women riding in those days except around campus. Anywhoo...my favorite ride was the roads from the bluff around Chair of Rocks Park. They must be closed off by now because they were pretty worn down, single lane and rarely used except by locals and kids necking...the grade must be 7-8%. There were no riding shorts, shirts, shoes, helmets back then; I wore cut off denim jean short-shorts and a polyester halter top...the kind that ties in the back, with some kind of tennis shoe. I would get at the top of the bluffs, look down at the river and the bridge, start my decent and then, I would un-tie the top of my halter and ride bare-breasted yelling like a banshee down hill, down to the highway...then, screech on the brakes, tie up the halter, look both ways and cross the highway to ride over to the bridge that was closed...I would crawled past the barriers and sat on the bridge, feet dangling, wondering about the world for a while...then, trek back up the road, up the bluffs which was an unbelievable climb, and call it a day...now, it takes me 20-25 mins. to get on the gear, sun block, water, cell phone, shoes, ad nausea for a training ride.
Sigh.... Wish I knew how to get back the joy of riding like that once again...

[TrekTheKaty]

Good story! Welcome!

[Bike Chick]

How funny, terryk! I'll never look at that bridge again the same way. Thanks for the laugh and welcome to TE.

[uforgot]

Heck, I remember when the bridge was open. I didn't ride on it, though because my mom said it was unsafe and refused. I do remember Chain of Rocks park. School picnics there every year. Never bare breasted! That was a great story! Thanks for the laugh.