Austin, MN to La Crosse, WI

 

Austin to La Crosse WI

Go Packers! Today, we crossed into our 8th state, Wisconsin. We are now honorary cheese heads!

It was a long day at 117 miles with about 3000’ of climbing. For a period of time we took tremendous pleasure in riding on a bike path that extended for almost 50 miles. It passed through rolling farm land hard along the Root River, which completes its run at the mighty Mississippi just south of La Crosse. The bike path was created from a former narrow gauge railroad bed. It was well used by cyclists of all ages and types, and apparently has given impetus to several service businesses in small towns along the way, catering to cyclists enjoying the path. I’m not certain as to how it was funded, but it appeared to me to be a sound investment for cyclists, local businesses, and nearby townships.

One of the many townships located along the bike path is Rushford, established in 1854. In the period prior to the Civil War, the underground railroad was active in the area from Rushford to the Mississippi River. Several leading citizens of Rushford were ardent abolitionists, willing to defy the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 (part of the 1850 Compromise, a tangled and tortured conciliation that simply kicked the can down the road toward the inevitable…). In doing so they established safe houses along the upper Mississippi and the Root, giving succor, hope, and shelter to runaway slaves prior to facilitating their evacuation to Canada. All involved, runaways and abolitionists, were brave souls, indeed. Rushford was established on the belief that all people, regardless of color or creed, have value. And the town’s founders came together time and again to demonstrate that belief with their actions prior to the Civil War and following the war. A wonderful example for us all, I expect.

Also, good tidings are coming, as our Madison rest day is almost here, and with it, my long awaited reunion with Amy. Yay!

Until tomorrow…sleep tight!

Fairmont to Austin, MN

 Fairmont to Austin, MN

Today was a short day, 80 miles with about 1600 Ft of climbing. It’s interesting in that I label 80 miles a short day. In any other place 80 miles is a full day’s work. But on this tour, we count our blessings when we have a day’s measure less than 100 miles. Perspective…

Most of us know the jingle, ‘In the valley of the jolly…ho, ho, ho, green giant’. When I was a kid I recall that tag line being played during commercial breaks of my favorite shows…The Legend of Davey Crockett, Bonanza, Get Smart…and many others. Today I got to get up close and personal with the big guy. He’s located in Blue Earth, MN. A few fun facts about him: He’s located in Blue Earth as acknowledgement of the long standing relationship of the areas pea and corn farmers with the Green Giant company. He’s a bit over 55’ tall, and he weighs about 8,000 lbs. Every winter since 1962 he’s received a red scarf to ward off the bitter cold of Minnesota winters, and in 1962 it also helped the Green Giant company launch their frozen foods business.

Speaking of food, let’s talk calorie burn and food consumption. At rest, a man my size (75”, 205lbs) burns about 2500 calories per day on a normal day. With the level of exertion required for riding a bike for about 7 hours per day at a relatively fast pace (avg @ 17 to 18 mph), an additional 7500 calories are called upon to support that effort. A conservative estimate is that I’m burning about 10,000 calories per day. To compensate for that energy burn, I’m consuming mass quantities of food. A typical breakfast is 4 eggs, 6 slices of bacon, 2 sausage patties, a bowl of fruit, a bagel, muffin, or English muffin, glass of juice, and yogurt. Usually I also consume a banana just before my first pedal stroke. Lunch is a stacked sandwich of turkey and cheese, some sort of pasta or bean salad, two cookies, and some fruit. Dinner is at least 10oz of meat, a large helping of some sort of starch (potatoes or rice), two servings of vegetables, bread, and of course, a large helping of dessert, something chocolate if available, or carrot cake. During the riding day, In between feeding sessions, I consume at least 3 gel packs or energy bars while on the bike. At the feeding stations (about every 20 miles), I’ll consume a banana, energy bar, and two fistfuls of mixed nuts. Along with this, I’ll consume about 4 to 5 bottles of electrolyte solution along the way. My preference for electrolyte replenishment is both LMNT powder mixed in my water, along with 2 Salt Stick pills every hour. At the conclusion of the ride, I’ll down a Muscle Milk drink with 30 grams of protein, to aid in muscle recovery. With all this, believe it or not, I still wake up hungry, and I believe I’ve lost about 5 lbs. So, if you like to eat, and you want to drop a few pounds, I have just the program for you!

Until tomorrow…sleep well! And I can’t say it enough, thank you for your prayers and encouragement, as food alone can’t keep me going.

Sioux Falls to Fairmont, MN...our 7th state

 

Sioux Falls to Fairmont, MN

Sioux Falls to Fairmont, MN. 126 miles with 2100 ft of climbing.

Today we crossed into our 7th state, Minnesota. Known as the ‘land of 10,000 lakes’, we passed by some lovely ones today. As it was somewhat warm, one of our troop tried hailing a motor boat pulling some kids on tubes. We would have gladly parked our bikes to take a couple of turns being cast around the lake on the tubes. It looked delightful.

We had another long day in the saddle. Though that pretty much sums up every day on this tour. We had a bit everything with the wind…a bit over our left shoulder, a bit of a headwind, and a lot of a crosswind. We also caught the tail end of a thunderstorm, catching a moderate amount of rain. Though, considering the temperature, it was more relief than nuisance. Again, working as a team we managed to make reasonable headway while conserving energy. I would not want to have to go it alone today, or for that matter, any of the previous 5 days. And on that note, I’m pleased that we have exited South Dakota. It has much to offer a traveler…Sioux Falls, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands Natl Park, the Black Hills…but I’m glad the endless prairie seas are in the rear view mirror.

Of note, we passed our halfway mark in mileage. Hard to believe from how far we’ve traveled, what we’ve seen, experiences enjoyed, and at times challenges we’ve simply had to overcome. Time has a wonderful way of ameliorating unpleasant experiences. And though it has been just a short time since that dreadful 3 week period of being under the weather, I can truly looking back at the pictures of that period with pleasure. It wasn’t much fun at the time, but I’m glad I have the memories.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers, encouragement, and support!

Until tomorrow…sleep tight.

Mitchell to Sioux Falls

 Mitchell to Sioux Falls...73 miles w/ 2300' climbing

Yes, I’m beginning to repeat myself…in that we once again transited vast open areas of prairie land. And once again, we were bedeviled by a 20 mph wind out of the SE, and of course, we set an easterly course for the day’s journey. And while I’m no psychologist, I’m going out a limb and self-diagnose the onset of Amenophobia. I’m quite certain an Rx of a wind dead out of the west for the next several days will be a wonderful curative.

For now, we again relied on teamwork to lessen the wind’s impact on each of us individually. We’ve developed a solid group of cyclists. And now that I’m back up to about 80% of form, I’m pleased to be able to shoulder my share of the load.

Tonight we overnight in Sioux Falls. It is a delightful big town / little city situated abreast of the Big Sioux River. The falls are directly in the heart of the city. There is a 22 mile river trail that circumnavigates the city and surrounding area, basically following the flow of the river. It’s a lovely cruise, Amy and I did it last year on our mountain bikes, replete with numerous parks, golf courses, and historical markers.

In 2020, Sioux Falls was named one of the top five cities to retire to by AARP. The significant presence of top notch healthcare and the quality of life contributed to this ranking. And while the weather was agreeable during our brief visit (90* with 60% humidity) I would have to withhold weighing in on the viability of Sioux Falls as a retirement location until we visit on a hard January day.

Until tomorrow…sleep well!

Oacoma to Mitchell SD

 Oacoma to Mitchell

Today was a very similar to yesterday, only hotter, but also blessedly shorter. We covered 76 miles.

It was a welcome change to get to our quarters before 2pm, affording me the opportunity to do laundry and catch up on correspondence. As busy as our days are, on the bike 7 to 8 hours a day, having a short day was welcomed relief.

Everyone was still somewhat jarred from the heat and distance of yesterday’s ride. Today was somewhat akin to an active recovery ride. We continue to be tormented by a quartering wind, but again we had a strong group that shared the work load, allowing us to move along at a reasonable pace. We are beginning to have a very good understanding of the nuances of of individual riders, which is important when riding in a tight peloton at 20 mph. Once that learning occurs, the peloton can resemble a school of fish, in that a seemingly imperceptible action causing a rider adjacent to you to move slightly is easily adjusted to by the other riders in moving with the flow. That said, beyond gaining that sixth sense of motion, the most important favor you do for your fellow cyclists is to be predictable. Above all, beyond strength, beyond pulling power, a predictable cyclist makes for the best mate.

Until tomorrow…sleep tight!

 

Kadoka to Oacoma

Hot and dry. That aptly describes the ride today, 115 miles of powder dry heat.

It was another windy day, though that was tempered by riding with a strong group. We rode in an echelon on a quiet road. When the wind is coming from one of your front quarters, the echelon formation is most effective in preserving energy when not taking your turn pulling the peloton. The main challenge is when you have six or more riders you are spread across an entire lane. And if it’s a busy road, it becomes an untenable formation. An option is to form 2 to 3 formations. But even then, the last rider has to be particularly attentive to traffic approaching from the rear, and when it does, move directly behind the rider in his direct front. It’s amazing how much energy can be saved, and speed can be gained, when working with a well oiled pace line.

We are now in the prairie land of central South Dakota. It is bereft of any remarkable features, unless endless miles of gently undulating prairie land can be considered remarkable. It’s like a sea of green. I’m not sure why a frontier wagon was called a prairie schooner. But I’d bet it had something to do with the similarities of the prairie schooner sailing through miles and miles of prairie grass, moving up and down with rise and fall of every hillock, just as a deep water ocean schooner would rise and fall with each cresting wave.

Road engineers weren’t particularly challenged in having to move a lot of obstacles in the building of roads. They go straight, they come to an intersection, then they go straight again. I kept thinking of the Robert Earl Keen song, ‘The Road Goes On Forever, and the Party Never Ends’. I can attest, this road did go on forever…never did find the party, though.

Until next time…

Rapid City to Kadoka...through Badlands Natl Park

 

Solstice ride…Rapid City to Kadoka

I feel much better following two solid days of rest in Rapid City. It’s good to follow doctor’s orders. Today was 113 miles with a bit over 4500' of climbing.

Today we cycled through Badlands National Park. This was my 2nd visit in a years time, as Amy and I hiked through the park in June ‘21 during a road trip to do some mountain biking with Ben and Whitney in Montana. It was just as awe inspiring the 2nd time around, what with the beauty of the cliffs and crevices, lending itself to something of a lunar landscape. Again, the pictures I’ve included are inadequate in expressing the raw beauty of the place. Perhaps they’ll whet your desire to make a road trip to the area as well. With Mt. Rushmore, the Black Hills, the ongoing work with the Crazy Horse monument, it’s well worth the trip.

And The Badlands aren’t bad at all. They are astounding in the display of raw, austere beauty. Mother Nature is at her best with her creation on this landscape. Begun over 70 million years ago when the region was covered by a warm shallow ocean, and continuing even now as the buttes and ridges lose over an inch to natural erosion every year. Each year reveals new finds of prehistoric fossils of sea creatures from 60 to 70 million years ago, and fantastic land mammals from as early as 10 to 15 million years ago. Makes one realize that our time is just a blink of an eye in the grand scheme of things.

It was a beautiful day for a bike ride, only 93* with 30% humidity and a gentle northerly breeze to blush your cheeks. Withered we were at the end, nonetheless. Until next time…