Minneapolis, MN

Day 32 (28 June 2014)
Lakeville, MN to Minneapolis, MN
Day: 25.76 miles, Trip: 2133.56 miles

A short day so we got to sleep in. Eric's Mom made us cinnamon rolls for breakfast with juice and coffee. Like everything else she made us, they were delicious. Then after a group photo we were on our way to Minneapolis. The ride wasn't bad at all and I rode in with Richard and Kristen. The end of the route was through a parkway full of cyclists and runners. Its great to see but its different, we are so use to not seeing any other cyclist on the road.

Tonight we are staying in the Middlebrook Hall, one of the dorms of the University of Minnesota. We arrived early and after checking in and showering we had lunch at the Town Hall Brewery and visited one of the many bike shops in town. We had just made it back to the dorm when the storm hit. So I spent my time in the computer lab taking care of a list of stuff I needed to take care of online. This is actually the first time I got to use a computer since leaving home in May.

We got lucky and the manager of the Chipotle  gave us free burritos. Back in the dorms again for the evening a lot of us hung out playing card games and other games that I am learning from the younger college kids and enjoying the fact that we could just relax and have fun.

Lakeville, MN

Day 31 (27 June 2014)
Wabasha, MN to Lakeville, MN
Day: 84.47 miles, Trip: 2107.80 miles

We stopped for breakfast in town at Stacy's Kitchen. While we were there a local told us to avoid our mapped route and stick to Hwy 61. We liked this, it saved us several miles. The weather is raining, which this area really doesn't need more of. We ended up having to reroute a few times due to flooded roads but all in all not a bad ride.

We stopped for rest stops in Lake City, MN, Red Wing, MN and Prescott, WI. Wisconsin being our 11th state but it was only briefly and we were back in Minnesota. In Red Wing we stopped for lunch at the Red Wing Brewery, the others were quick stops. From Prescott we went off route to get to Eric's Mom's  house. She had amazing dinner ready for us and showers and laundry available. Eric has a wonderful family and his sister is joining us tomorrow for our ride into Minneapolis.

Being dry, clean and well fed, we are all in great spirits. The fact that tomorrow we are reaching Minneapolis really helps too.

Wabasha, MN

Day 30 (26 June 2014)
Brownsville, MN to Wabasha, MN
Day: 79.61 miles, Trip: 2023.33 miles

Good warm up this morning, riding with Richard. We stopped in La Crescent for breakfast at the Corner Cafe. We considered taking an alternative route but were talked out of it. I am glad since the ride proved to be a great ride despite the large climb out of town. Even with that it seemed to be more downhill than climbing. There were a few quick rest stops near Nodine and Minneiska and a lunch stop in Winona. In Winona we were blessed again when someone treated us to lunch at the Lakeview Diner/Drive in. Good burgers and root beer.

The day had favorable terrain and wind and it has been good riding. We did end up taking one alternative route staying on the highway instead of a longer route. When we reached Wabasha we realized we were suppose to have turned 4 miles ago but instead of turning back, ignored another closed road and took a short cut. It was closed for flooding. This area has been hit hard with flooding. We found an easy way around the flooded road and made our way to the Faith Lutheran Church where we are staying the night here in Wabasha, MN (pop 2500). Another night getting to sleep inside and had showers available at the local pool.

I stopped at the store and picked up some supplies for dinner and went together with Richard, Kenny, Eric, and Young. We had to be quiet and couldn't set up for awhile after arriving due to a photo shoot in the church. I spent a good bit of time planning alternative routes into Minneapolis to try and get an extra rest day in town.

Brownsville, MN

Day 29 (25 June 2014)
Elkader, IA to Brownsville, MN
Day: 85.68 miles, Trip: 1943.72 miles

The morning stated with snacks provided by the church and then some bike maintenance, including rotating my tires, before getting on the road. I took my time getting warmed up. Had two early rest stops in Farmersburg and Marquette. The section between Monona and Marquette was actually heading east and we had a nice tailwind. The downhill into Marquette was amazing. I only hit 44 mph but had to break twice to avoid hitting other cyclists. Including Ryan who lost his bike computer and had to brake in front of me.

Things changed between Marquette and Lansing. This included 2 or 3 large climbs. One of which had a nice downhill the others, not so much. In Lansing we stopped  at the other place only to be told it was the wrong OP. This one was bar only, no food. The sign was very similar to the OP I knew in Cedar Falls. So we grabbed lunch elsewhere. It wasn't great but it was better than I had in the trailer. I sat in Lansing for awhile procrastinating getting back on the road. There was no need, the last 25 miles were actually really nice and mostly followed the Mississippi River. In New Albin we crossed into Minnesota (our 10th state). I stopped for a photo and then continued on to Brownsville, MN (pop 500) where we are staying for the night. Tonight we are staying at the Zion Evangelical Church. It has been nice sleeping indoors so not having to pack up a wet tent. I cooked dinner with Richard and then hit the sack.

Elkader, IA

Day 28 (24 June 2014)
Wyoming, IA to Elkader, IA
Day: 80.00 miles, Trip: 1858.04 miles

In the morning we had breakfast provided by the United Methodist Church in Wyoming, IA. It was amazing. This was followed by a slow start to Cascade, IA for the first stop. From here is where the day gets interesting. It started out as Richard, Jen, Caroline, Kristen and myself. We hit Farley Rd (Y13) and found it closed. I called all the route leaders but nobody answered, I eventually got through to Michelle and her pass on the message to have everybody else take an alternative route. Luckily we reached most people and they all would end up beating us to the next rest stop. 

The 5 of us pushed on anyway, I mean how bad could it be. After 2 miles we met a farmer who told us the road got much worse further on. This was enough for Kristen and Caroline to turn back and take the highway instead. The 3 of us figured why not just keep going. It did indeed get much worse. in 2 spots we got off and walked the bikes. The second time involved walking the bikes through a soy bean field since the road was missing due to the digging of a new culvert. Eventually we reached Farley and took the Heritage Trail to Dyersville. While in Dyersville a couple of people went to see the Field of Dreams location but most people decided to skip it.

Riding with Kristen

It was an uneventful ride to rest stop 3 in Colesburg, IA, at least or me. Caroline managed to crash at the rest stop and scraped her knee. One of the route leaders took her to the hospital to get it cleaned. As I was riding on to the final destination of Elkader, IA (pop 1250). I was cruising down a hill around mid 30s and had a near brush with a black Cadillac. I almost missed the turn for Elkader too, luckily Mike was there and yelled so I could stop and get the turn. Tonight we staying at a First Congregation church and had showers to use at the local pool. Once clean, dinner was at Fennelly's Irish pub (where we got to meet Eric's mother. I missed out on laundry but I am tired and decided to save it for another time.

Wyoming, IA

Day 27 (23 June 2014)
Orion, IL to Wyoming, IA
Day: 102.66 miles, Trip: 1778.04 miles

I was so comfortable on the couch that Richard had to come in to wake me up. I was getting up when Catherine came and said that everybody else had already gone. It turns out they were not gone, they were just outside by the trailer. It was worth it to sleep in even if today is a century ride. As always I am really slow in the morning and seemed to struggle to the first rest stop in Reynolds, IL.

From here my legs settled down and we crossed the Mississippi River and crossed into our 9th state and my home state lately, Iowa. The rest stop was in the walmart parking lot in Muscatine, IA. This was excellent for me since I have been out of cash and could get cash back here without using an ATM. It is different now that we have hills again. Yes, Iowa in fact does have hills. My legs have gotten use to the flat but I am enjoying the hills.

I pushed on early from the second rest stop and was surprised by Kristen with a bonus rest stop with ice cream. The next rest stop was a short way away in Lowden, IA. At the rest stop Kenny and Skylar decided to do a gravel road "short cut" so Joe and I road the route to see what was quicker. Joe and I ended up winning but not by much. Even so Jen ended up blowing by all four of us. During our ride Joe and I had a dog cut out in front of us. First going after Joe and then turned right in front of me. I am pretty sure I ran over its tail and then it was almost hit by a car. Later riders said it charged them as well, I guess some dogs never learn.

Tonight we are staying at the fairgrounds of Wyoming, IA (pop 500). There was no shower, but at least a hose to rinse off with. Tonight a past rider and his family provided us with a very delicious meal. They also had a beautiful blue healer dog. We played with her until we were both tired. A pretty early night tonight, tired after a long day of riding.


 

Orion, IL

Day 26 (22 June 2014)
Henry, IL to Orion, IL
Day: 73.61 miles, Trip: 1675.38 miles

Up early as usual and the big storm that was promised never came. It stayed south of where we were camped. We waited until 7 am to hit Rio Vista Grill for breakfast. It was a great stop, good food and a run by a friendly family.

We hit the road and again as usual I struggled the first 10-12 miles. Once I warmed up I was able to cover the distance much quicker. By mile 18, I was actually feeling really good. The first rest stop was in Bradford, IL and there we met Jim who was celebrating his 76th birthday and decided to have breakfast with us and even treated. Breakfast was at JDs bar and grill which only served breakfast on Sundays. We lucked out.

I would be posting more pictures, but you can only get so excited by seeing corn and soy bean fields every day. There are some wind turbines mixed in but I see those at home in Iowa too. We got a good side of the road stop with watermelon. On a hot, humid day like this it really tasted delicious.  From there I pretty much lost my energy. I plugged on and about 1.5 miles from town (Orion, IL) it started raining. The rain didn't feel bad though since it has been hot. I could have done without the wind.

Tonight we are camping in the town park of Orion, IL (pop 1850). The United Methodist Church is providing us with dinner and also arranged for us to get showers at the local middle school. Since it is storming outside the pastor of the church opened up the church's basement for us to sleep. We are grateful for not only the food, but for the dry accommodations. Some of us even found some comfy couches to sleep on. Andy put on a movie and our room filled up to watch a movie before bed.