Yesterday I managed 105 miles and I couldn't be prouder of myself for doing it all alone and fueling well. So well that I feel really good today aside from some unhappy chafing in those last 20 miles or so. I moved my cleats back a full cm to solve my hot foot issue and helped a lot though hot foot set in by mile 75 in my right foot. Hrmmm. Maybe need some special insoles?

I rode north from my house in St. Louis City along the Mississippi to Alton, Illinois starting at 5:30 am. Sunrise was spectacular as I descended down to the Missus and rode past the Arch:

The riverfront trail was quiet naturally and I stopped to take a picture of my favorite thistle flowers along the way:


This first northbound stretch was lovely, but I really wish I'd had the benefit of a tailwind. The winds hadn't picked up yet but were going to be Southerly for the day.
I did get some experience riding on the highway... not an interstate but Route 67, pretty much the only way across the rivers up there. Spent a lot of time dodging glass, tire shreds, and frog roadkill. No flats though... very pleased! HWY 67 crosses both the Missouri and the Missus:
Missouri

Mississippi bridge into Alton:


After that I rode south along the Mississippi and cut over to Edwardsville, IL and did a big circuitous route that took me through Maryville, Glen Carbon, and Collinsville. On the way from Collinsville to Granite City I passed Cahokia Mounds National Historic Site. Those are tiny people up top. Hard to believe people built these with buckets of dirt alone!


After that I was just scrambling back north to the Chain of Rocks bridge so I could get back to St. Louis. By 10 am it was hotter than satan's underpants... with a hot 30 mph sustained South wind which made riding south and west awful. It was the kind of wind that was blowing up dust and sending trash skittering all around. I spent a lot of time riding about 10 mph into its face. But the tailwind north to the Chain of Rocks bridge was pretty great. Nothing like an effortless 25 mph on a flat.

By mile 80 or so the chafing set in. I rarely do rides longer than 80 miles and have never used chamois butter. Should have picked some up, but instead I applied Body Glide to my chamois. It was awesome feeling for the first 50 miles but really needed a reapplication. Lucky for me I have A+D ointment at home!

I stopped often, ate all kinds of random things and learned I could eat a half of a deep dish pizza w/ chicken, roast garlic, and roasted red peppers readily and not worry about the extra calories. They aren't extra anymore!

Best of all, I feel really good today. My knees are a little tired, but my muscles are ready for more. I should have reapplied sunblock as well. Ah well... this is the first of many centuries this summer and I learned a lot of valuable lessons yesterday!