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TOUR OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY

JUNE 12-13 2010

The terrain

TOMRV starts with mostly level ground and continues with level to rolling terrain until we leave Hanover Illinois. But from Hanover to Dubuque you will ride hilly ground. The return trip is the reverse, with hilly ground from Dubuque to Preston. There are exceptions, but this is the overall rule for the TOMRV route, so be warned to conserve your energy during the first half of Saturday. The total distance on Saturday is 106 miles, and on Sunday is 90 miles. If you start at Preston, you shave about 40 miles from each day.

My favorite parts of the route

The traditional route starts at Scott community College in Bettendorf Iowa. This day's riding is just over 100 miles, so many sights, many towns and many back roads will be traveled. Here is my list of favorite places on the ride in the order that they come up.

  • Canal Shore Drive near LeClaire Iowa. The road here is right with the Mississippi, I mean 20 feet from the water. This is seen in the morning and sometimes the sun is sparkling, sometimes sheets of fog are rising, always quiet and beautiful.

  • The Sabula Causeways. Sabula is an island town in the Mississippi, but there are two causeways that connect it to each side of the river. The Iowa causeway shows open water on both sides of the road, touching on Driscol Island, a town park. The Illinois causeway runs through the sloughs, a maze of islands and passages. For those who know the way, these passages can be traveled for miles and miles. Finally you reach the steel bridge over the river channel. This is a steel-grate deck, quite exciting on a bike.

  • The hill, Blackjack road on Chestnut Mountain. - Up until this point, the route has been level or rolling. But no longer. Remember "hills are my friend". Once on top, you have several miles of rollers as you proceed basically on the ridge of the "mountain". The scenery is authentically rustic. There are old cabins from skinned logs, pastureland overlooking miles and miles of farmland in the valley, sideroads with names like Sawmill Road. Finally the descent, which is unbelievably steep and treacherous. Just be thankful that you are not riding up this killer hill. The grade is about 16%.

  • Galena - the historic town. Here is a place to return to. The downtown is carefully preserved in the riverboat era. Loaded with places to stay, shop, eat and party.

  • The descent into Dubuque. There is a feeling of relief and accomplishment when you look down the road and see the long descent over the Mississippi and into Dubuque. A very challenging day is almost done, and the banquet awaits.
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    The return route covers almost all new route, about 84 miles in all. My favorite points:

  • Grandview boulevard in Dubuque. The ride home is just starting. Starting a few years ago, the median on Grandview has been planted profusely. I enjoy cruising along and seeing the many flowers growing.

  • Bellevue Iowa. I just like this town with the river so wide, and a grassy park on the riverside through town. Riders clog every café and convenience stop, or just stop on the parkway to sit and talk.

  • Preston. The park is the a fabulous place to hang out and eat, whether you are stopping for the day or riding on to Scott.

  • Elvira rest area. Starting 4 miles back, you can see Elvira on the hill ahead as you ride along. Over each rise, you see more detail until finally you are coming up the rise into town and a stop under the spreading trees, a lawn chair perhaps, some fruit at the sag, maybe a sandwich from the youth group stand. The day is nearing an end, and the most welcome sight is coming, namely,

  • Scott Community College. You made it. Cruise on the parkway back to the college. Lemonade and rest await.

    • River Overlooks

    There are three very fine overlooks for the Mississippi just off the TOMRV route:

  • Chestnut Mountain From the rest stop on top of Chestnut, take Blanding Road, the left turn, a short distance, then turn right at the Chestnut Mountain Ski Resort sign. Ride one mile, coming into the Ski Resort parking lot. Take a narrow lane on the right side of the parking lot, riding by a playground. Stop at the end of this lane, 0.4 mi. From this overlook you can see Dubuque and Sinsinawa mound to the North, and Bellevue to the South. This is the best panoramic view of the Mississippi you can get without an airplane.

  • Julian Dubuque monument On Sunday morning in the Mines of Spain Park, there is a left turn going up on a small bluff to an overlook. The climb is modest even on a bicycle. Julian Dubuque is buried at a monument on the top. There is a telescope at the overlook of the river.

  • Bellevue State Park Just South of Bellevue is the park road. This is a tortuous climb, but the view to the North is extraordinary.

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