Yesterday, I finally hit 3,000 miles of riding for the year. Last year I hit the big 3K in October, so I’m behind, compared to last year. But of course I have had a number of major life changes this year. I am just thrilled that I made it to 3,000. Now, I’ve ridden 6,592 miles since I started keeping track last February.

The other day, I discovered a whole new section of the Levee Trail system. In the past, I’ve stopped at a “no trespassing” sign, but I rode past it and while I thought the trail ended at K-Mart, it continues past that for a while, and then connects with a strange, apparently unnamed road that connects to a road close to where I live. This means there’s a closer access point to the trail that avoids a lot of traffic. Needless to say, I was pleased to make this discovery. The section I explored was paved; there were also some gravel and dirt trails branching off from the main trail that I have yet to explore.

The scenery is quite varied, with some sections feeling nearly rural, and some residential, industrial and retail areas. First, here’s the map.

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Church

Market Street

Getting on the levee trail

Another view

Riiiiiight.

It’s strange, the “NO TRESPASSING” sign is right by the railroad tracks. There is an identical sign on the other side, but the trail is open on both sides. I guess they just don’t want you crossing the tracks?

Railroad tracks

A water tank of some kind

Kmart — the trail also goes by some other stores. It could be useful for actually getting around.

Riding toward the mountains

Some (probably abandoned) fuel tanks

Locks

Another view of one of the tanks

Z&B Body Shop

Unmarked road. This section feels almost rural.

Signs of industry

Dirt road. If I’d been on my mountain bike, or it hadn’t been so muddy, I would’ve checked it out more

Even though I was close to home, I turned around and rode back the way I came. I wanted to explore some more and ride a few more miles.

Small gravel trail paralleling the road

The trail let out behind a business

Another church

I just noticed a limo in the above photo. What the heck was a limo doing in the seedy underbelly of Edwardsville?

Industrial buildings and distant mountains

An abandoned restaurant, or something

Tanks again

These things cool. Notice the staircases don’t go all the way down anymore

Alley

Abandoned Amoco center. Peak oil? Localized economic woes?

Abandoned Amoco

Strange walkway

Messing with perspective

Gravel road/trail

Dirt trail. This will be fun to explore, at some point. It was a muddy mess.

There seem to be a lot of offshoot trails. This will be fun to explore, and maybe I’ll map out the entire trail system.

File under: Bicycling, Gravel, Mixed Terrain, Rail Trails, Road Biking