Скачать или смотреть Episode 6: The Midwest. Illin’ in Illinois. The route 40 and the heartland of America

Episode 6: The Midwest. Illin’ in Illinois. Going deep into the heartland of America.

I knew little about this state before arriving. I have never been here and neither this far on a bicycle in my entire life. Now I find myself exactly 1,000 miles from where I started, 20 days after. I am happy and proud of it. But the further I proceed, the serious it gets - at least this is my perception. I feel like going deep into the heartland of America, one way with no return.
The landscape has finally flattened out, but with the wide open space came a fierce, unrelenting wind. Route 40 carried me westward through quiet towns where time seemed to stretch, and a sense of déjà vu settled in. I am seeing more towns that I can remember, and still I stop in each one of them, with both curiosity and need.
There were detours I hadn’t expected and setbacks that demanded negotiation. Yet between the challenges came small joys, like when I reached the legendary Route 66 in Hamel. Ups and downs is the new routine.
Illinois ends for me in Alton, right by the Mississippi River. In many ways, this marks the close of a major chapter in my journey.
On the other side of the river lies the unknown—but also the promise of something new. I’m especially looking forward to riding the Katy Trail, the longest rail trail in the country. It feels like a transition point, one that will likely bring a shift in scenery and rhythm.

If you're just tuning in: I started in Washington, DC, and I'm heading west to Walden, Colorado via the Eastern Express, where I’ll connect with the official TransAmerica Trail to continue my ride across the country... at least, that is the plan!

For more information about this series please visit the playlist description or my channel.
Please consider to subscribe or join my Patreon to access a special content section: https://patreon.com/vladywashere?utm_...

#cyclingacrossamerica #easternexpress #coasttocoast