Biking Across the Devil's Backbone

Description:

"I didn't get to do anything this summer, Grandpa", Tracy complained after her brother, Paul, and her grandfather completed a 500-mile canoe trip down the Wabash. "Next year you have to do something special with me!" That led to the Great Bike Ride. Tracy and her grandfather pedaled 600 miles across the mid-West seeking adventure. Enroute they saw "The Liberty Bell of the West" at Kaskaskia Island, Illinois, took a ferry across the Mississippi River, and walked across the Natural Rock Bridge at Pomona Illinois.

At Grand Chain, Illinois, the rear wheel-bearing on the bike failed and nearly ended the bike trip. A helpful farm-family in Grand Chain and an expert bike mechanic in Puducah, Kentucky fixed the problem and got the ride back on schedule. Tracy went on to explore Cave in Rock on the Ohio River, climb every rock formation in southern Illinois' Garden of the Gods and tour The Old Slave House.

In Indiana, Tracy met ostriches at Weilbrenner Exotics farm, explored the Indian relics at Angel Mounds, spent the night talking with monks at St. Meinrad Monastery and toured Lincoln's boyhood home. The most challenging day of the trip, physically, was the 65-mile, hilly ride over the razorback Devil's Backbone at Tunnelton, Indiana.

Tracy discovered a beautiful arched limestone bridge at Millhousen and petted giant Belgium draft horses that pull the canal-boat at Matamora. Tracy maintained her good humor and high spirits while pedaling 12 hours a day up steep hills in 95-degree heat.

The best part of the trip? "The day at the monastery", replied Tracy -- "Spending time alone with my granddaughter", explained the author.