Day 32

If it is possible to have a rest day while biking 88 miles, today was it.   Compared to the past few days, we had cool temps and overcast skies all day and either no wind or a slight tailwind.  It was a great day to go for bike ride.  I did not work very hard and still cruised. 

For the second day in row, I encountered a bicyclist coming toward me riding against the traffic or right at me.  Both times I yelled at the cyclist, in a very kind and sensitive manner, that riding against the traffic is very dangerous and a good way to get killed.  It also makes it less safe for other bicyclists who are obeying the laws.  I would like to see any cyclist riding against traffic get a ticket just like a car. 

The first two pictures are of views coming out of Rochester on a hill looking at fields and groves of trees and a cornfield.  With all the rain that has taken place, it was like riding in a greenhouse.  The next picture is of the first rest stop which was in a park next to a river.  It was one of those places, if there was time, to kick back and contemplate the meaning of life. 

We biked through part of the Root River Valley. The Root River Valley trail system is one of the original rails to trails in Minnesota and may be the best.  Kim and I have biked down here several times. The original bike trail runs from Fountain to Rushford City and follows the Root River most of the way.  We did a branch of the trail from Rushford City to Houston.  As the picture indicates, most of it was like riding through a canopy.  We have ridden through a lot of beautiful places and the Root River is one of them. 

In Houston the rest stop was next to a very neat coffee, pastry, sandwich shop.  Normally I do not eat lunch until the end of the ride, but a turkey sandwich sounded really good and it was.  Unfortunately, coming out of Houston we had a mile climb which seemed straight up.  In parts, it  was over 15 grade.  My sandwich seemed like extra weight the whole way up.  From then it was just a cruise to Wisconsin.   The last two pictures were of the enter Wisconsin sign and the Mississippi River. 

Minnesota was good  to us, or at least me.  Even though we had extreme heat, we did have tailwinds most of the time and we biked through Southern MN farm land in the prime of the growing season.  I am sure the rain had a lot to do with it, but it was green from the west to the east end of the state.  Driving through farm land is one thing, but biking gives a person a time to appreciate the magnitude of miles and miles of corn fields, shelter belts and farmsteads surrounded by groves of trees. 

On a different note, we have had two bike accidents the last two days.  Yesterday Adrian got her tire stuck in grove in the road and tipped over and today Barb had a mechanical problem and tipped over.  Both are fine, though a little banged up.  Both had cracks in their helmets which saved them from more serious injuries.  I have always thought that individuals who ride without a bike helmet must believe that brain damage from a head injury would not be much different from their current brain functions.  There is risk in bicycling or most activities for that matter, but for most of us the major risks in life include being overweight, smoking, drinking to an excess, not exercising, and living a life of stress.  Bicycling is one answer to most if not all of those risks.

After getting in I had two bottles of low fat chocolate milk and a dark chocolate Milky Way.  The closest thing I have ever had to withdrawal was giving up caffeine a number of years ago; however, when I am done with this, I am clearly going to have withdrawal when I have to give up my chocolate milk habit.

Tomorrow we have another 90 mile day with the chance of rain. 

Day 31

Day 31 started early.  The staff loads the sag van with luggage at the same time, today it was at 5:45 with breakfast afterwards.  I made some oatmeal in my room and left as soon as I loaded.  I thought the extra 20-25 minutes would benefit me later.  The picture is of the flags in front of the hotel.  The wind was 15-20 all day out of the SSW.  Anything out of the west is always good, so had at least a slight tailwind most of the day. Even so, after yesterday's heat and 102 miles, 100 miles today was grueling at the end, especially with the heat. 

Riding in heat like this can be very difficult, and many riders are suffering.  The only happy rider is Terry from Tucson who is used to riding in 100+ degrees.  So far, I have been hanging in there. I try to drink a lot of water which is one key.  Also, not so bad when biking, but when I get off the bike, my first thought is wow, it is really hot here.  Locals in various towns are always asking how we can bike in this weather.  Some think we are crazy, others are sure we are.

All day riders were mentioning to me the banner Barb and Charlie had made for me, they thought that was pretty special, and it was.  Also, many met Morgan and Christi and were very impressed.  The funniest was Karina who told me afterwards that “Morgan was really handsome."  The way she said it while she was looking at me, it sounded likes given the genes, this was a total surprise. 

Many riders are amazed that it can be this hot and humid in Minnesota.  I told one rider that sometimes alligators hide in corn fields so be careful.  He thought I was kidding, but not sure.  He was pretty nervous the rest of the day. 

Tomorrow we leave Minnesota and cross the Mississippi to Wisconsin. 

Day 30

Day 30 was one of the most amazing days I have had on the tour and probably ever.  We biked 102 miles from Worthington to Mankato.  As the first two pictures indicate, it was very hot early in the day, but fortunately we had at least a slight tailwind the whole day and I made a good time.  The  scenery was pure Minnesota farm land in the prime growing season with green fields of primarily corn but other crops as well along with groves of trees, shelter belts and farmsteads.  I did not stop to take a picture, primarily because it was too hot and did not want to spend any more time out there than I had to.

With the increasing heat, the last ten miles were difficult and I was ready to get to the hotel and air conditioning.   We are staying at the Mankato City Center Hotel in downtown Mankato and when I pulled into the hotel drop off area, I had an amazing surprise.  My very good friends Charlie and Barb from Bemidji had made a banner for me and driven down to Mankato to have it across the entryway when I pulled in.  When I first saw the banner I thought that is very cool and when I saw it was for me, it was exhilarating.  The pictures are of us in front of the banner and the three of us.  My fan club may be small, but it is exclusive, classy, and contains very bright, thoughtful individuals.  Charlie and Barb, thank you so much.  They also had low fat chocolate milk waiting for me in a cooler.  Again, thank you.  This was a special moment that I will remember for the rest of my life. 

The day got better as Morgan and Christi drove down from Minneapolis to spend the rest of the day with me.  The pictures are the three of us around my bike.  We went out for dinner at a very nice Italian restaurant.  Making it better, Jeff and Karina from the tour and Adam, who I call my second son by different parents along with his wife Lindsey joined us.  We had a great time, the conversation was excellent and the food was a nice change from the normal buffets where we have been eating. 

Tomorrow looks to be another long hot day with 99 miles to Rochester. 

Day 29

By tour standards, Day 29 was pretty mellow.  Sioux Falls to Worthington, MN, about 70 miles, and we caught a moderate tailwind so a I made good time.  The first pictures are from the Falls in Sioux Falls, which are very impressive, especially with the high water in the Sioux River.  I have been to Sioux Falls a number of times for business and have never visited the Falls or the surrounding park which was very nice. 

The next two pictures were of the sign announcing we were entering Minnesota.  Though SD is a great state, we are hoping for better weather in MN. 

The hotel we are staying at in Worthington would win the award so far for best welcome.  When we arrived they had water bottles on ice, fresh fruit, and yogurt waiting for us. 

Many riders could not believe that Minnesota could be this hot in the summer.  I think some assumed it would be still snowing.  For many of them, their frame of reference is the movie Fargo.  They are disappointed I do not  speak like the characters in the movie. 

Tomorrow 102 miles to Mankato.  Let’s hope for tailwind. 

Day 28

Today is a much needed rest day and I spent the time with Dot and Ken who continued to chauffeur me around.  Following are some comments.

Lost Day:  Not only did I lose an hour going into Pierre which I am still upset by, but also seems like I have lost two days.  It is now Day 28. Until I checked, I thought it was Day 26.  The reality is if Dot and Ken had not been here, I would have no idea the day of the week or calendar date.  Two nights ago, Mary was emailing her mother on the hotel computer and came running asking where we were - she had no idea.

South Dakota:  SD is a beautiful state, but no one will be sad to leave it.  From climbing through the Black Hills to battling headwinds most every day, rain one day and excessive heat the next two it has been a very tough week.  Everyone is tired, but there is a sense of accomplishment, especially for getting through the 117 mile day into the wind and rain.  I cannot imagine a harder ride on a bike.  

Lewis & Clark:  More or less we have been following L&C since leaving Astoria and now leave them for good.  I have always been amazed by their collective achievements, but after biking in the type of weather we just biked through, I cannot imagine walking, pulling a barge in all temps wearing buckskin.  Also, no air conditioning or massages.  Amazing.

Great People:  We have very bright interesting thoughtful individuals on this tour from many walks of life.  To name a few, a social worker now in grad school but did suicide watch, an organic chemist, software consultant, nurse practitioner, consultant in global real estate deals, an IT marketing consultant, an IT attorney, two engineers from the Netherlands, a teacher from Ireland, a water engineer, an IT engineer, owner of a small manufacturing company, a math teacher who had a career as a electrical engineer, an ordained minister who specializes in grief counceling and a physician.  It makes for very interesting and thoughtful conversations.  Individuals are secure, respectful and interested in the opinions of others.  I have not heard any demeaning comments when opinions are different, which is unique and refreshing in our polarized society.  I doubt if anyone here gets their information from TV networks or talk radios.  The only radios shows I listen to are extensive interviews with qualified academics, authors, journalists or professionals in a specific field.  I may not agree, but at least I can learn something.  

Friends:  It was great to spend time with Dot and Ken.  The picture is from the falls in Sioux Falls which are very impressive, especially with the river running so high.  I have heard that if you have five real friends in a lifetime, you are truly blessed.  I have at least two and am truly blessed.

Tomorrow we enter Minnesota and the forecast is hot. 

Day 27

Day 27 started out very foggy.  The first picture is of loading our gear into the van at about 6:30 am with the fog in the background.  The fog hung around for almost two hours which was a good thing as it kept riders cool.  We knew once the fog burned off, it would get very hot with a SE wind.  After about 10 miles I was totally soaked from the fog, but the temperature was in the low 70s so was not cold.  Since the beginning of the tour one of my call lines as I went by other riders who were looking at the scenery was “just like Fargo.” Today it was true, the farm and dairy land we passed were very similar to parts of ND.  Since we were on country roads, I had more people wave to me in the last two days than in the trip so far.  Part of small town friendliness that city folk do not understand.  

The second picture was at a rest stop.  I had got a minor sun burn a few days ago and a staff member, Barb, told me I had a minor sunburn today so I put a lot on at the stop.  Diane and Anne thought I put on too much and they wanted a picture but would not touch me.  

Though I knew this, I was surprised to remember the James River flows out of ND into SD and ultimately the Missouri.  I crossed it east of Mitchell and like many other rivers, it was flooding.  Crossing it in the fog was like looking at a bog in the mist.   We often forget that there is a small radius in ND where depending on the where the rain drops, it may end up in the Red River or the Missouri River.  

Even with the heat I did very well today. The main reason was my good friends Dot and Ken came from Fargo to visit  and hang out with me.  I was really excited to see them.  They got to the hotel just after I did, took me to a bike shop to pick up some things, took me to a massage that was great and we just go back from dinner.  Dot and I go back to Concordia (I am older) and introduced me to Kim.  Kim has forgiven her and we have all been best friends ever since.  It takes special friends to drive four hours to hang out and be a chauffeur, but I appreciate it very much and it is great to be with them.  The last picture is of us at the bike shop.

Tomorrow is a much needed rest day. 

Day 26

We caught a break with the weather today.  I was on the road a little after 6:00.  Though the forecast was for very hot and a headwind, the day started cloudy with a rain shower south of us.  A few of the showers reached us and though I got a little wet, it kept the temperature low in the morning.  Also, not much wind so that was not a factor.  It was about 70 miles so I made good time and was in by 11:00, just about the time the skies cleared and it got very hot and wind very fast.

It turned out to be a busy afternoon.  I did laundry.  Then my buddy since college and chiropractor of the last 30 years, Kent, set me up with a treatment with a local chiropractor in Mitchell.  Kent told him what I needed and he did a great job.  Kent is the one who keeps me adjusted so I can do all the things I do.  He offered to come to Sioux Falls tomorrow to give me a treatment.  That’s a good friend.  

Then my phone broke so I spent two hours getting a new one.  No pictures today because of the phone.  

I did eat well today.  At breakfast I had scrambled eggs and oatmeal.  After a couple of snacks, I went to Perkins which was right next to the hotel.  I ordered a veggie omelet and pancakes and basically ate the whole thing before the waitress was able to turn around.  It was a little embarrassing.  For supper we went to a Mexican restaurant near the hotel.  I had a fajita burrito which was excellent.  The amazing thing is there are others here who are eating more than me.   Now I am going to stretch and eat some m&m’s.  

Tomorrow is to Sioux Falls and again is supposed to be hot and windy.  I do not think we will get lucky two days in a row.