In 2004 Steve and I took part in the 485- mile Grand Excursion bike ride, which was done in conjunction with a celebration of the Mississippi River and its various effects on the river towns along its course. The course was also followed, on the river, by the “Grand Flotilla,” a collection of steamboats that were re-enacting the “Grand Flotilla” from many years ago that was done to celebrate the opening of the territory along the Mississippi.
The celebration started in the Quad Cities of Davenport and Bettendorf, IA and Moline and Rock Island, IL. and ended in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN. As I had worked in St. Paul for 32 years (and still did at that time) and had lived for two years in an apartment building (on the 29th floor) overlooking the Mississippi, I felt a special affinity to this ride. Many towns along the route threw their own celebrations which included steamboat rides on—and train rides along—the Mississippi River. We toured the Spirit of Peoria riverboat and saw many steamboats on the river following (or leading) us along the route. The scenery was beautiful and very fun through which to ride.
Again, we met a group of fun people, this time “The Racing Chicks,” and had a great week with the group riding, enjoying each town’s celebration, and touring the various sites along the way. These rides are, as I have stated before, a great way to meet great people and we had an extremely nice time. We also met one rider who was riding a bike with no seat or seat post so that he had to ride the entire ride standing on the peddles. We were never sure why he would do that.
At the end of the ride in the Twin Cities the riders were bused back to the Quad Cities to retrieve our cars.
Another great ride and more great memories to add to our long list.