August 1 Fulton, IL to Muscatine, IA
Distance 81 miles, 11.8 mph average, ride time 6:50, actual time on the road 9 hours, expenses $92.64.
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To keep Jim from having to get up early to pick up my gear, I toted it the half mile to the hotel they were staying plus I was going to eat my breakfast there. Jim came down to the breakfast area just before I was ready to saddle up and we discussed our plan for the day. Instead of meeting me somewhere along the route for lunch we agreed that was unnecessary and I’d just meet them at Illinois City, our planned overnight town about 70 miles south. My thoughts were that Jim and Julissa needed to keep the girls happy by sightseeing and doing fun activities throughout the day. I told Jim, “If the girls aren’t happy, you won’t be happy and I didn’t want to lose my SAG. So go have fun and I’d see them tonight”.
Giant Water Lillies along the Mississippi River
As I rode out of the motel there was a couple, Craig and Ruth, riding toward me. I swung Spirit around and met them at the intersection to the highway. We visited a couple minutes about our journeys and I learned they were looking for the next section of the GRT. I thought the trail was down the road from where they were coming about a block and should be a block to the south. Craig said they’d try going on the highway a block or two and then head back toward the river, while I’d follow my idea of where the trail should be. Turns out we both made good decisions as we met on the same street just off the trailhead.
Great River Trail (GRT) signage when having to ride on streets between dedicated trailsA memorial to Fallen Soldiers on the riverbank in Port Byron
After visiting a little more we set-off to the south. Not having my gear on Spirit I was able to ride a little faster than Craig and Ruth and we were soon on our separate journey once again having made a new friendship on the trail. The GRT is mostly flat and the signage remains good on the GRT and I made good time reaching the Moline/Rock Island area before noon.
John Deere combines lined up at the East Moline factory
I made such good time I was throughMoline before I knew it and decided I needed to stop for a bite to eat as there most likely wouldn’t be anywhere to get food until reachingIllinoisCity. Boy did I make a good decision for two reasons; first there wasn’t anywhere to eat afterRock Island. Second, I met mynext Road Angel inRock Island.
Looking for a restaurant I saw a sign for Mama Compton’s “Home of the best Chicken Salad in the Quad Cities” and decided that sounded too good to pass up. Upon entering the restaurant I was greeted by Psyndy (pronounced Cindy) who sat me down at table and advised me the special for lunch today was a Cheeseburger soup. That sounded good and I ordered a bowl and a big glass of ice water and a soft drink. Told Psyndy that would do for starters but I planned to order more. Psyndy asked about my journey and another waitress joined in the conversation. After finishing the soup, I was trying to decide what kind of sandwich to order, Psyndy suggested their Chicken Salad sandwich as that is the sandwich which made them most popular. There was no doubt the place was popular as the 20 minutes I was there the place filled up with guests. I opted for a half sandwich and Psyndy gave me the option to do a full sandwich if still hungry at the full sandwich price. I thanked her for the consideration. Doesn’t happen often with restaurant claims but Mama Compton’s is quite modest about their Chicken Salad sandwich being the best in the Quad Cities as this was the “BEST” one I’ve ever eaten anywhere, it was scrumptious. I doubt many folks could eat a bowl of soup and down a full sandwich, I couldn’t and I can eat my fair share of food especially when riding a bicycle all day. Psyndy also kept my soft drink and ice water glass full. She also filled my water bottles not once but twice, the first two bottles I took outside and filled my hydration pack. When I went to the counter to pay, Psyndy surprised me with this meal was on the house and thanked me for sharing my adventure with her. Psyndy today’s road Angel brought a special smile to my heart for her act of kindness. I’ve said it before and it deserves being said here once again, folks like Psyndy make my bicycle adventures a journey for the heart. You can be sure anytime I get back to the Quad Cities and I do as there is an annual pool tournament we exhibit at in this area, I’ll be stopping for the “Best Chicken Salad Sandwich in the USA” at Mama Compton’s, located at 1725 2nd Ave, in Arts Alley, Rock Island, Illinois. Hope any of you that might be in this area stop for lunch or dinner and get the opportunity to have a fine sandwich and meet Psyndy.
Leaving Rock Island the Great River Trail (GRT) ends and once again I’m sharing the road with motor vehicles. It was a little scary being in traffic with big trucks and other motor vehicles without even a bicycle lane to let motorist know I belong on the road, too. The streets soon gave way to country roads and my favorite, NOT, hills. Still the going wasn’t all the difficult since I didn’t have 60 lbs of gear on Spirit. The miles rolled by as the temperature climbed and I was glad I’d soon be inIllinoisCityand done for the day or so I thought. Arriving inIllinoisCityI quickly discovered it wasn’t much more than a wide spot in the road. I phoned Jim and Julissa to see where they were and tell them we may as well plan on staying inMuscatine,Iowathis night. They had already figured that out as they too had made it toIllinoisCity. They told me there was a Choice hotel the Clarion on North Hwy 61 inMuscatinewhich looked like a good place to stay. I told them I’d meet them there. I was already exhausted from riding 70 miles and now I was going to be riding another 11 toMuscatine. “Oh well”, I thought to myself I got to do it. The good news there was a nice downhill run a few miles outside ofIllinoisCitythen a flat run to the river where I did have to cross a bridge with a narrow shoulder and make one final hill climb to reach the hotel. This final 11 miles wasn’t so bad after all.
Mississsippi River from the bridge between Illinois and Iowa
Instead of just checking in at the Clarion, I decided to ask for the manager to see if I could manage a discount for tonight’s stay. During my adventures I’ve discovered most Choice Hotels recognize the efforts of bicyclists riding to raise awareness and funds for a worthy charity is a worthwhile project and will normally provide a better than usual discount for us bicyclists. Diana Serpen, the AGM, at this Clarion was no exception she was friendly, helpful and offered to allow me to stay the night at the “Employee” discount rate. Let me tell you that is a healthy savings for this Old Guy on a very tight budget. Thank you Diana and you can be sure my choice when traveling by any means the Choice Hotel chain is #1 on my list of places to stay. For you fellow travelers I hope you too will support this caring chain. They have nice large rooms, clean, comfortable, laundry facilities and almost always a pool to cool off in.
The bridge between Illinois and Iowa
Jim and family arrived as I was walking outside to get Spirit and go to my room. They registered while I cleaned up and then we decided this was a good night to have Mexican food for dinner. I needed a Margarita after riding 81 miles today. There was very good Mexican Restaurant a couple miles from the hotel. In my appreciation for Jim and Julissa making this road trip to do SAG for me I insisted on buying dinner this night. A small price for the amount of wear and tear they are taking off my body. After dinner the three of us discussed the logistics for tomorrow. I had made arrangements to stay inDallas City,Illwith a Warm Showers host. There not being much to do or see inDallasCityI told them once again go have fun and explore bothMuscatineand the next bigIowatown down riverBurlingtonas both had plenty to see and do. I’d load one of my larger panniers on the rear of Spirit to carry my clothes and toilet kit for the day after and we could all meet up in two days inQuincy,Illinois. Jim offered to get the girls up early and load everything into their mini-van including my gear, Spirit and me and take me back to where my route turned south instead of me having to back track 8 ½ miles. Too nice an offer and much too difficult in my opinion and once again I reminded Jim he needed to keep the 4 year old twins, Jasmine and Joella happy. Not to give up the opportunity to hitch a ride I suggested to Jim perhaps he’d be willing to take Spirit and I back to the route. Thus the girls could sleep in maybe even let them swim before departing the motel. Jim liked the idea and we once again had our logistics worked out for tomorrow.
Iowa welcome sign after crossing the bridge into Iowa
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