Total distance: 423.77 km (263.3 mi) / Total time: 9:42:08 / Moving time: 6:25:40
Average speed: 43.68 km/h (27.1 mi/h) Average moving speed: 65.93 km/h (41.0 mi/h) Max speed: 123.16 km/h (76.5 mi/h)
Average pace: 1.37 min/km (2.2 min/mi) Average moving pace: 0.91 min/km (1.5 min/mi)
Fastest pace: 0.49 min/km (0.8 min/mi) Max elevation: 238 m (780 ft)
Min elevation: 94 m (309 ft) Elevation gain: 1492 m (4895 ft)
The huge storm we just missed the night before was still with as we as we awoke in “Indy”. Storms were forecast for the entire day – but, as we are all auto enthusiasts, we had to stop off at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Not so much fans of the oval we headed into the museum that was reasonably priced at only $5 per person.
We exited town on I-70 then jumped onto the smaller I-40 again to avoid the massive trucks.
A while later we stopped in the town of Terre Haute IN for our lunch break. We chose M. Moggers Restaurant & Pub a historic brewery full of mystery, hidden rooms, tunnels and great craft beer. As lunch was being created – we were given a free tour of the buildings basement where one of a series of tunnels connected this former brewery to the rest of the city during prohibition. A fascinating stop for both beer and history.
Along I-40 on a disused section of road we spotted a covered bridge (“Jackson Truss“) crossing a small stream. We pulled around and made two passes through to the bewilderment of some of the locals.
Just before we entered the city limits of St. Louis we made a quick diversion to the town of Collinsville for a look at what is claimed to be “the worlds largest catsup bottle”. This water tower/advertisement was created to promote a local producer of Ketchup.
Crossing the river into St. Louis and Missouri gave us a quick look at the very impressive Arch and our final destination for the night – the very posh Marriott Residence Grand Hotel – affordable thanks again to the friends and family discount.
A short wander over to the Gateway park and the arch revealed how tremendous the monument actually is.
Our craft beer location for dinner was The Bridge Tap House whose tap and bottle selection is one of the best in the city.
