Chalmette, LA (Pop. 21,562)

We felt rested after a day off and a wonderful time with the Jackson family. I was hoping to get an early start this morning, but we woke up to 38 degrees, and my bones protested. I decided to wait a bit, hoping for a few more degrees of warmth. Finally, around 8:30, the temperature had risen to a blistering 46 degrees, and I thought I could endure that. The sun was shining, and there was almost no wind. I donned my skull cap that covered my ears and my long-fingered biking gloves. However, I couldn't activate my phone with my fingers covered. After several miles, I took them off and exchanged them for my trusty open-finger gloves. Life was good. At 5 miles, I stopped and took off my second jacket and kept wheeling toward the Big Easy. US 90 was not all that busy and had a nice shoulder, so I felt good about the route.

After about 8 miles, US 90 turned to the left and headed to Pearlington. This small community was where the bridge had been damaged for quite a few years and had been blocked to vehicle traffic. However, cyclists consistently reported that bicycles could still pass with no problem. I believed them. After another 8 miles, I arrived at a barrier at the bridge, but I calmly threaded my bike past the barriers and continued into no man's land. For the next 4 miles, it truly was "no man's land." The road had not been maintained well but was still not too bad. On either side of the road, there were bayous, swampy water, and I suppose thousands of gators, although I have no way of proving that. I arrived at a second bridge with more barriers, but I calmly lifted my bike past them and continued on the road. Soon, I began to see buildings and some traffic. I was now at about 20 miles for the day. I stopped for something to drink and a quick bite to eat.

The next 10 miles were routine and not very exciting until I felt my front tire speaking to me. I stopped, and it was only partially inflated. I got off my bike and proceeded to change the tire. I took advantage of the moment to get my lunch for the day. After changing the tire and reloading with calories, I was ready to keep going.

US 90 got a bit busy as I approached the city, but before too long, I was directed to an off-road that seemed much better. After about half a mile, I was stopped by a blocked railroad crossing. The train seemed quite content to go nowhere for a while. I looked down the tracks and saw there were only about 15 cars from the crossing to the end of the train. I was tempted to throw my bike under one of the cars and pull it to the other side. I resisted and pushed instead down the tracks on very rough rocks to the last car and across the tracks. I then pushed my bike back along the second track toward the crossing. I was about two cars from the crossing when my right foot got stuck in a crack for only a brief second, but it tore a hole in my shoe and made me realize that it was a good thing I wasn't trying to dodge a train. I got back up and kept heading on. I did see a single light in the very far distance. I suspect a train was on its way. I did not stick around to confirm that theory. I was back on the road and headed to the day's destination.

I had one more hurdle before calling it a day. In the distance, I saw a very large bridge crossing a body of water and thought, well, that looks interesting. The right lane was blocked off due to construction, but this was the only way I was getting across the water. I ascended slowly until I got to one of the workers, and I asked him if it was okay if I stayed to the right of the cones. I didn't want to back up the traffic. He said it was fine, but I should be careful about the holes in the bridge up ahead. Cool, just how I wanted to end my day. I kept going, and before too long, there indeed was a section of about 6 feet where the concrete was missing, but there was all the rebar and metal in place to pour concrete in the near future. That happened twice, and I was on my way back down. All is well that ends well, right?

I arrived all safe and sound. It was a good day of riding, and I was glad to call it a day.

For dinner, we ate at Beignets & More. It sounds like a pastry place, but it is a Vietnamese-themed restaurant that also serves beignets. We ate dinner and headed back to chill for the night.

Tomorrow will be a ride through New Orleans and on a bike path on the levees of the Mississippi River.

Cheers, all—continue to be kind and make our world a better place.Read more