<about the maps>
Springfield, IL to Fort Madison, IA Route: route
97N to salisbury (+9), havana (+35, camping along illinois river), route 97N to cuba
(+16), route 9 (+5), route 9W to blyton/bushnell (+19), blandinsville (+19, camping at
argyle lake south of blandinsville), route 9W to la harpe (+7), route 9/94 to dallas city
(+12), go west to niota (+6, camping at nauvoo 9 mi S of niota), cross toll bridge to fort
madison, IA (+1)
Tuesday, September 29, 1998 
Email from Jeff Harper: "Scot left this morning from Springfield, IL amongst the
misty rain and foreboding weather forecast. He arrived here Sunday evening and spent
yesterday refreshing and exploring Honest Abe's favorite city. He remarked that he was
completely refreshed and ready to forge ahead. We had several meals together and I also
rode to the edge of the city with him this morning. He was heading through Beardstown, IL
and Fort Madison, IA ultimately to Des Moines, IA but you probably already know this. I
gave him some Spectro Multi-vitamins wrapped in a base of ginseng and some vitamin C and
some quick-hummus for the rest of the trip. He is an admirable person. Forward this to
anyone who cares. I may have some more thoughts later."
Scot was all set to go at 8am and it started to pour. He waited a while. He’s on
his way to Fort Madison, IA, right on the Illinois border. He’s riding on Route 97 to
Beardstown, the home of the Beardstown Ladies of investment. It’s almost 5pm and
there’s still plenty of riding to be done but Scot is stopping because he’s
already found a campsite. He’s at the Schuy-Rush Park ($4) 7 mi north of Beardstown
along Route 67. For dinner, he’s having a split pea paste, add a little water and its
soup, add some fresh broccoli for that extra touch. He’s also having smoked turkey
from the park caretaker. He’s also having hummus mix from Jeff Harper. The hummus was
a good idea. This was a good dinner and he ate too much. He’s alone again. Maybe
tomorrow, he’ll be camping by the Mississippi River.
Wednesday, September 30, 1998 
From the campsite, Scot rode north to Industry along Route 67, then west to Colmar,
Bentley, Elvaston, then Hamilton. He stopped at Basco for a drink of water and the lady
gave him oatmeal cookies. He took a nap and is headed for Hamilton. The westerly wind is
very hard on him. Scot is determined to cross the Mississippi and then maybe end the bike
ride here instead of going all the way to Denver. He said "3 weeks is a long time not
to see a familiar face". It’s already 6pm and he won’t make it to the
Nauvoo SP so he’s staying at the Holiday Inn in Keokuk and splurged $54 for the
night, the most he’s paid so far for a hotel. He’s crossed the Mississippi, the
bridge was no big deal.
"My goal was Nauvoo State Park, but heavy westerly winds and a thunderstorm made
me decide on Hamilton instead. I couldn’t find a place to stay there, so I crossed
the Mississippi into Keokuk and got a hotel for the night. I'm in Iowa!"
Fort Madison, IA to Lincoln, NE Route: iowa is going to be a long one.
it's 410 mi. if you don't drop by des moines, you might save 71 mi. going west on route 2
or route 34 both take you to lincoln, ne.
from fort madison, take route 2W to farmington (+26, camping at shimek), bloomfield
(+40), centerville (+25, camping at sharon bluffs SP), route 5N to moravia/albia (+22),
knoxville (+29), des moines (+35)
From West Des Moines, ride the trail to about Panora, IA (camping on Springbrook SP)
and then heading west on SR 44 (which will cutoff the extreme north turn the trail takes
on its way to Yale). Along SR 44, camping at Prairie Rose near Jacksonville. SR 44 ends at
US 30. US 30 West will take you into the beautiful state of Nebraska near Blair, NE
(camping at Wilson). Once in Blair take US 30 West-South to US 77 South in Fremont, NE. US
77 takes a turn to the west and back to the south. US 77 crosses over IR 80 then meets up
with US 6 west outside of Lincoln. Take US 6 west/US77 south on into town.
Thursday, October 1, 1998 
Scot wanted to check out the Riverboat Museum after leaving the hotel but they were
closed. It’s 50 degrees and the weather might turn for the worse. He’ll check
the weather channel before leaving.
Scot didn’t have a long ride today. He’s really buffetted by the winds. There
might be an easterly tomorrow and that should help him. He got as far as Farmington along
Route 2. He decided to camp at the Indian Lake because it was more accessible than the
Shimek. The campground is somewhat busy. A black Lab-Dalmatian mix named Cleo is following
him. She looks like his old dog Dixie.
"My phone card is broken... I'm in a good campsite within 20 minutes walk of the
phone I used to call you earlier at work. And I'm feeling a little better,
inexplicably.."
Friday, October 2, 1998 
This is Scot’s fifth week on the road. He’s just shooting for Des Moines and
then he’ll pack up and go home. From Farmington, Scot continued on Route 2W then to
Route 1N into Keosauqua. He stayed at the Hotel Manning. He only rode 16 miles today.
"I’m in Keosauqua now, hiding from the rain. I finally get my East wind, and
its driving the rain! The clouds appear to be moving North and West. Interesting (too bad
Kurt's not here to see it!)... I'm still considering completing my ride at Des Moines, but
this forwarded e-mail from Kurt points out a nice bike trail out... Maybe I'll have to
continue to Lincoln simply to explore this 35 mile route! Does this path dovetail with a
route to Lincoln?"
From Martin: "Did u not get the email from our contact in Omaha, NE? Scot if u bag
it at Des Moines, u will always for the rest of your life wonder what could have been. I
would like u to become a member of that small fraternity of cyclists who have biked the US
by themselves. You will only know how big of an achievement that is if u complete it. U
will only know how big of a disappointment it is if u quit. No one can take it away from
u. Ever. It is a forever Power Memory! And it becomes the blueprint from which you will
use to overcome all the rest of life's hill's, mtns and valleys. You've come a long way,
don't ameliorate that by wanting it easier for yourself now -- wanting the comforts. Hey
what's another month or so compared to a lifetime?
We need u to keep powering guy! U have our love and our support. Be a Winner!!"
I read Martin’s email to Scot. He replies "Dolly read me your note - pretty
good and inspiring. Between you and Dolly, I'm ready to keep going. Especially if the
weather would improve. It's supposed to rain until Tuesday, now! Which brings to mind an
observation: A dedicated bicycle path is infinitely better than roads shared with cars.
Continuing in the rain would be safe if cars and trucks were not zooming up behind me,
limiting my space to a few inches of wet shoulder. More than ever, I am convinced of the
need for a real, hard surfaced National Bicycle Greenway. The frequent sight of those huge
overwhelming truck wheels spraying out water spawns ugly visions of smashed bikes and
bikers. For my safety, I can't ride a road in the rain. From the warmth of the dinner I
can plan to continue. Even if do stop my ride, however, the lessons learned will not be
wasted. Energized Bunny! Scot"
Indianapolis, IA
