Mile 16: Early morning scene biking on County Road 900E near Cornell, IL. The clouds this morning were striking.

July 27^th Statistics – Streator to Watseka, IL:

• Today’s Biking Distance – 85.3 miles
• Today’s Average Speed – 17.8 mph
• Today’s Time In Saddle – 4.8 hours
• Today Ascent – 634 feet
• Total Trip Biking Days – 35
• Total Trip Biking Distance – 2,719.6 miles
• Total Trip Average Biking Distance/Day – 77.7 miles
• Total Trip Ascent – 77,508 feet

A relatively long ride today (85 miles) so we started out about 7:30 am.  The riding, similar to yesterday, was primarily on very rural county roads lined by corn and soybean fields (many showing severe signs of drought).  While the sun was in and out of the clouds during the day, the temperatures remained comfortable for most of the day.  We benefited from a great tailwind that enable fast riding so we all arrived in Watseka about 1:30 pm (even after stopping for lunch at the Subway in Ashkum, IL).  A highlight for me was riding alone miles and miles at 22-24 mph along a remote county road without traffic and surrounded by fields of green crops and blue and white wildflowers (see photo below for an example) on the roadside.

Mile 35: I was surprised to bike through a third large area (dozens of square miles) of windmills (to many to count) in Illinois just outside Odell.

Mile 37: Another view of windmills outside Odell, IL.

Mile 50: A mural outside a bar and grill in Kempton, IL.

Mile 65: This may have been the most beautiful road (County Road 2700N near Ashkum, IL) on today’s ride – a single lane smooth paved road bordered closely on both sides by corn and soybean fields. I didn’t see an auto while biking on it.

Mile 75: A view of the Iroquois River on County Road 2400N showing vacation docks and boats.

Mile 15: View of typical farm house outside Kewanee, IL showing storms clouds in the distance (fortunately, which stay away from our route most of today).

July 26^th Statistics – Kewanee to Streator, IL:

• Today’s Biking Distance – 79.8 miles
• Today’s Average Speed – 17.8 mph
• Today’s Time In Saddle – 4.5 hours
• Today Ascent – 1,280 feet
• Total Trip Biking Days – 34
• Total Trip Biking Distance – 2,634.3 miles
• Total Trip Average Biking Distance/Day – 77.5 miles
• Total Trip Ascent – 76,874 feet

Dinner the prior evening at Cerno’s Bar & Grill in Kewanee was a celebration.  After being seated at Cerno’s, a woman I didn’t know walked in and sat at our table – Doug immediately went into shock with a big smile on his face.  It was Doug’s wife, Lisa, who flew from Maryland to Peoria and then drove to Kewanee just for the evening to celebrate Doug’s and Lisa’s 25th wedding anniversary that day.  She left the next morning to return to Maryland, but will be rejoining us for sightseeing the last week of the tour.

Cerno’s decor was unique and beautiful. The bar was imported from Belgium for Pabst Blue Ribbon in 1898 and displayed at a World’s Fair.  The Mahogany mirrored bar spans fifty feet, with hand carved figurines at each end.  Cerno’s also had detailed carved lion heads throughout the building, wall buzzers topped with tiny eagles that were used to summon a waiter to the customers, an embossed tin ceiling, stained-glass and leaded windows, brass footed pedestal tables and a teller cage where men would cash their paychecks and then come in for a drink.   I particularly enjoyed the fried dill pickles.

Roads on today’s ride from beginning to end were the best of the trip so far.  They were smooth and almost completely rural with little or no traffic.  While the scenery was not the most diverse we have seen, nevertheless, it was beautiful and pristine.  While we had some light sprinkles and showers, they were welcomed due to the heat.

For the last 20 miles, Doug, Robert, Jim and I rode together at a good clip (18-22 mph) thanks to a tailwind and smooth roads.  When we reached Streator, IL (by going 5.5 miles off route to get to our lodging), our first stop was the Dairy Queen located five blocks passed our hotel.  Doug graciously treated all of us to ice cream.

Mile 25: First of two photos of a windmill area near Bradford, IL.  Like the one yesterday, this windmill area covered many square miles.

Mile 26: Another view of the Bradford area windmills.

Mile 37: View of bucolic cemetery surrounded by acres of corn and soybeans near Henry, IL.

Mile 42: This was the view in every direction at one rural intersection approaching Henry, IL.

Mile 48: This was a military monument in center city park in Henry, IL honoring submariners, in general, and a particular submarine captain born in Henry who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor (see next photo).

Mile 48: Memorial to Captain John Philip Cromwell from Henry, IL who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Mile 65: View on very rural Country Road 800N that we biked for 20+ miles – almost no traffic.

Mile 2: Crossing the Mississippi River for the last time at Muscatine, IA. As you can see from my tan lines I am also wearing for the first time my sleeveless bike jersey for the 100 degree temperatures today.

July 25^th Statistics – Muscatine, IA to Kewanee, IL:

• Today’s Biking Distance – 77.9 miles
• Today’s Average Speed – 15.4 mph
• Today’s Time In Saddle – 5.1 hours
• Today Ascent – 2,111feet
• Total Trip Biking Days – 33
• Total Trip Biking Distance – 2,554.5 miles
• Total Trip Average Biking Distance/Day – 77.4 miles
• Total Trip Ascent – 75,594 feet

Today was forecasted as the hottest day of our entire tour – high of 105 degrees in Kewanee, Ill.  The entire group started biking at 7 am to try to get to Kewanee as soon as possible.

While the roads in Illinois were very smooth for the first 10 miles, they deteriorated.  At one point we had to bike on what I would describe as 3 miles of rumble strips – I could barely focus due to the constant jarring and vibration.  And then we had the bad luck to face just before Reynolds, IL a 6 mile stretch on which our side of the road had been stripped of pavement yesterday and was being prepared for repaving.  While not legal or necessarily the safest action to take, I (and others in the group I was told) biked in the on-coming lane which had just been paved several days ago and was as smooth as can be.  Fortunately, traffic was very light and when I saw traffic ahead I darted back to the bad side of road or pulled over to the shoulder until the traffic passed.

A great experience for the day was my continued ability to maintain a higher biking speed (even in the high temperatures) – I kept up with Robert and Doug for much of the day.  By the end of the day, my eyes were burning from the sweat I could no longer keep out of my eyes.  When I arrived in Kewanee at 1 pm, I treated myself with a pint of peppermint stick ice cream for lunch and a two hour nap.

MIle 3: Entering Illinois (don’t know why the photo came out the way it did).

Mile 8: One of my first views of Illinois as I bike 322nd Street in Rock Island County, IL.

Mile 34: A striking mural on the Sherrard, Illinois Library.

Mile 36: A typical road border we biked today in Illinois.

Mile 67: While we passed two windmill farms in Montana and North Dakota, this one near Cambridge, IL was huge in comparison to the other two. It appeared to have hundreds of windmills spread over dozens of square miles. While at first we were surprised how many windmills were not working, it became clear as we biked it was because they were being constructed. As we continued east on Route 570N we began to see the the original windmills in operation.

Mile 25: One of the most beautiful views along Route 136 today.

July 24^th Statistics – Dyersville to Muscatine, IA:

• Today’s Biking Distance – 88.8 miles
• Today’s Average Speed – 15.2 mph
• Today’s Time In Saddle – 5.8 hours
• Today Ascent – 2,818 feet
• Total Trip Biking Days – 32
• Total Trip Biking Distance – 2,476.5 miles
• Total Trip Average Biking Distance/Day – 77.4 miles
• Total Trip Ascent – 73,483 feet

Started biking at 6:30 am to avoid the high temperatures forecasted for the late afternoon in Iowa. It was a long ride (89 miles) even though we cut out 9 miles from the normal route by taking an alternative route.   Even though it was hot and long, today I felt particularly energetic (and for the first time started regularly using my cleats to pull up on the pedals which gave me a real boost) and after keeping up with a couple of the other riders, I actually passed them at one point and stayed ahead for many miles.

An interesting note – It has been clear for many days that Iowa is a battleground state for the presidential election.  The number of political TV ads (most of which are negative) has been overwhelming as we reached the broadcast area for Iowa (including TV stations in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois that border Iowa).

Mile 2: Driveway decoration at a farm just outside Dyersville.

Mile 15: Cascade, IA (population 1,598) – Home of Red Faber (for those who follow baseball). I stopped at a convenience store and began a conversation with the friendly shop owner. As I was leaving, she came out and gave me a home grown tomato. The group shared it later in the day – it was delicious.

Mile 18: One of the many dirt roads on Route 136 in Iowa that lead off to farms.

Mile 20: View along Route 136 today with Doug in the distance.

Mile 27: View on Route 136 with Doug just after our SAG rest stop.

Mile 30: Entering Wyoming (IA), “The Christmas City” (population 626).  Interesting that the town found it necessary to post that “CEMENT TRUCKS ARE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING CEMETERY”. I wonder why? The other interesting (but sad) feature of Wyoming was the golf course. It was the most colorful golf course I have seen – The greens were brilliant green and all the fairways were covered in dead brown/yellow grass and lined with dead bushes.

Mile 31: Robert (in very colorful attire) passing through Wyoming, IA.

Group Photo at our first SAG rest stop in Guttenberg, IA.  Left to right – Jim, Steve, Robert, Dale, Doug, Diane.

July 22^nd Statistics – McGregor to Dyersville, IA:

• Today’s Biking Distance – 52.9 miles
• Today’s Average Speed – 11.5 mph
• Today’s Time In Saddle – 4.6 hours
• Today Ascent – 2.474 feet
• Total Trip Biking Days – 31
• Total Trip Biking Distance – 2,387.8 miles
• Total Trip Average Biking Distance/Day – 77.0 miles
• Total Trip Ascent – 70,665 feet

Due to bad weather (it was raining when we started biking) and bad roads, we designed our own route today with the advice of Jim, who knows the area well (he lives about 50 miles from Dyersville).  While shorter than the original route, our alternate route required three steep climbs (7% to 11% grades and 2,500 feet total elevation gain) up and down the Mississippi River bluffs in Iowa.  I started biking in my rain attire, but soon decided that the rain was a benefit when climbing in the heat, so I removed it.

When I arrived in Dyersville, it was laundry time followed by complete cleaning and maintenance of my bike.  After visiting the “Field of Dreams” filming location (see photos) and the National Farm Toy Museum (see photos) spent the afternoon of the rest day in Dyersville catching up on two days of blogs.

Mile 23:  View of the Mississippi while descending the bluff above Guttenberg, IA.

Mile 28:  Mississippi waterfront park in Guttenberg, IA (note brown ground cover everywhere).

Mile 38: Typical view traveling along a Mississippi River bluff.

Mile 39:  I thought this was interesting as it was the only group of brown colored cows I have seen on the tour.

Mile 41:  Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, shown here, was the first consecrated Catholic church in Iowa.  I could see it from miles away as it dominated a hilltop in the small town of Petersburg, IA (population 5,403)

“Field of Dreams” – This farm 4 miles outside Dyersville, Iowa, was the filming location for “Field of Dreams”.  While the original owners still live at and farm it, the site is also a free tourist attraction funded by the sale of souvenirs at a small gift shop (red building near parking lot).

“Field of Dreams” – Information posting at farm used to film “Field of Dreams”

“Field of Dreams” – Aerial photo of farm used to film “Field of Dreams”

“Field of Dreams” – Close up photo of the home pictured in the film “Field of Dreams”.  The original owners still live here.

“Field of Dreams” – I thought that it was touching to see several parents who brought their children to the “Field of Dreams” to throw/hit a baseball.  The site was perfectly maintained.

The National Farm Toy Museum – In addition to the “Field of Dreams” film location, the National Farm Toy Museum was a Dyersville, IA attraction.  This museum was one of the most attractive and informational specialized museum I have ever visited.  It was spotless, all exhibits well documented and explained, educational, and easy to navigate.

The National Farm Toy Museum – Another view inside the museum.  Dyersville, IA is also the home to 5 farm toy stores, 3 farm toy companies, and 2 national farm toy shows.

The four cross country bikers: Doug Wolff, New Windsor, MD; Robert Moskowitz, Carmel, CA; Steve Prichard, Malvern, PA; Jim Schnitzmeyer, Albany, IL.

July 21^st Statistics – La Crosse, WI to McGregor, IA:

• Today’s Biking Distance – 67.3miles
• Today’s Average Speed – 14.3 mph
• Today’s Time In Saddle – 4.7 hours
• Today Ascent – 2.007 feet
• Total Trip Biking Days – 30
• Total Trip Biking Distance – 2,334.9 miles
• Total Trip Average Biking Distance/Day – 77.8 miles
• Total Trip Ascent – 68,191 feet

Today was a unique day in that we biked in three states – started in Wisconsin, crossed the Mississippi River into Minnesota, and biked south into Iowa leaving Wisconsin and Minnesota for the rest of the tour.

We had rain, clouds, and sun today which required changing weather attire.  No much difference in terrain – the bucolic bluffs in Iowa looked much liked the bucolic bluffs in Minnesota, farms, green, and rolling hills.  One interesting moment was when I got a called from Nancy and stopped biking to answer it.  Bugs started swarming around me so much, that I promised to call Nancy later and started biking again.  I clearly note the greater number of bugs in southern Minnesota and Wisconsin than I have seen earlier in the tour.

Besides entering Iowa, other interesting moments today illustrated in the photos which follow include: Passing through the birthplace of “Granny Basketball” and the Apple Capital of Minnesota, being attacked by 15+ dogs, visiting the Effigy Mound National Monument, touring McGregor, IA, and seeing a tugboat pushing 8 barges down the Mississippi River.

Mile 3: La Crescent, MN, the “Apple Capital of Minnesota”, is across the river from La Crosse, WI.

Mile 8: A typical view today as we rode along Route 26 paralleling the Mississippi showing the bluffs.

MIle 27: Educational Marker – Islands in the Mississippi (of which there are many).

Mile 27: View of Mississippi Islands.

Mile 27: Robert riding into the Educational Marker site about the islands of the Mississippi River.

Mile 27: Doug riding into the Educational Marker site about the islands of the Mississippi River.

Mile 30: Entering Iowa – The third state for today’s ride. We started in Wisconsin, crossed the Mississippi into Minnesota, and finished the ride in Iowa.

Mile 39: Lansing, IA – “Birthplace of Granny Basketball”, which is “A gentle game for women of a certain age” according to http://www.grannybasketball.com. Their website offers rules, how to set up a team and videos of games should you be interested!

Mile 46: Don’t let the cuteness of these dogs fool you. This was my third encounter with a group of dogs that came after me from all sides. This group of more than 15 dogs was clearly the largest. I had to stop biking, put the bike between me and most of the dogs, and hold my ground until I was able to slowly get passed them. Surprisingly, they were afraid whenever an car passed, so I took advantage of that fact to move along.

Mile 60: Effigy Mounds National Monument.

Mile 60: Effigy Mounds National Monument – Mound Shapes and Locations in Park.

Downtown McGregor, IA.  It reminded me very much of Jim Thorpe, PA (except McGregor is on the water – Mississippi River).

McGregor, IA had an auto rally and competition on the day we arrived.  Here are several autos parked on the town square.

Historical Marker – History of McGregor, IA.

McGregor, IA: This room which is built into the mountain was a jail and then a tinker/tailor shop. It is now available for an overnight stay.

Holiday Shores Motel in McGregor, IA – Lodging for our stay.

Holiday Shores Motel – View from my room as a Mississippi barge passed.

After arriving early in La Crosse, WI, Doug, Jim and I decided to bike 5 miles up to Grandad Bluff overlooking La Crosse and the Mississippi.  This is a west view from Grandad Bluff.

July 20^th Statistics – Winona, MN to La Crosse, WI:

• Today’s Biking Distance – 43.6 miles
• Today’s Average Speed – 12.9 mph
• Today’s Time In Saddle – 3.4 hours
• Today Ascent – 1,900 feet
• Total Trip Biking Days – 29
• Total Trip Biking Distance – 2,267.6 miles
• Total Trip Average Biking Distance/Day – 78.2 miles
• Total Trip Ascent – 66,114 feet

Today’s ride may be the shortest of the tour.  However, Dale and Diane wanted to be sure that we had time to sightsee La Crosse, WI which was a great idea.  There are been certain towns on our tour that have been engaging and make me want to come back, i.e. Sand Point, ID, Whitefish, MT, Fargo, ND, Stillwater, MN, Prescott, WI, and Red Wing, MN, and La Crosse, WI certainly makes that list.

We had to find a detour about 20 miles into the ride today due to a road closure on Route 7 near Pickwick, MN.  The detour we selected made the ride shorter than planned (40 miles), but was more challenging – we had a long 10%-11% grade climb to get to the top of the bluff.  Fortunately, the weather was overcast which kept it from getting extremely hot. While I started the climb with my riding companions and easily made it up the top of the bluff (as judged by my heart rate), they were out of sight quickly – I estimate that they can ride about 3-4 mph faster than I on the flats and half that on the tough climbs.

However, several times on the tour I have had the opportunity to join them and make a foursome on the flats/short rolling hills by drafting.  It was a great thrill and highlight to be cruising along at 20+ mph in a tight group of riders (on one occasion for 12 miles).  I wish I had a picture of the four of us riding together.

Mile 20:  Historical Market – Mississippi Blufflands

Mile 20:  Historical Marker – Great River Bluffs

Mile 20:  Doug learning about the Blufflands.

Mile 21:  View half way up 11% climb on Route 3 (near Great River Bluffs State Park) to a bluff above the Mississippi.

Mile 23:  Dale smiling after having finished the 11% climb on Route 3.

Mile 23:  Doug smiling as he takes off for the remaining ride to La Crosse after a SAG wagon break.

Mile 26: View overlooking the Mississippi from the bluff on Route 12 near Nodine, MN.

Mile 28:  Another view overlooking the Mississippi from the bluff on Route 12 near Nodine, MN.

Mile 31:  View from Route 1 in Minnesota of Interstate 90 crossing over the MIssissippi near North La Crosse, WI.

Mile 34:  Entering Wisconsin and La Crosse after having crossing the Mississippi.  Unfortunately, no one was around to get me in the picture.

View looking north from Grandad Bluff above La Crosse, WI.

Jim, Doug and I after a five mile ride and climb to Grandad Bluff above La Crosse, WI.

Sculpture of Hiawatha in the Mississippi waterfront park in La Crosse, WI.

Garden at the Mississippi waterfront park in La Crosse, WI.

Pearl’s Ice Cream Parlor – The #1/60 restaurant in La Crosse.  I savored the taste of Pomegranate and black licorice ice creams

The fact that Buzzard Billy’s was across the street from Pearl’s Ice Cream Parlor had no bearing on our choice.

After dinner I went for a walk along in the Mississippi waterfront park.  This is a monument in the park.

The riverfront walking path in La Crosse, WI.

View from my room at the Radisson in La Crosse, WI. In the distance you can see the cliffs which are below Grandad Bluff.

Mile 16: A typical valley scene in Minnesota today (that is our SAG wagon that just passed me).

July 19^th Statistics – Red Wing to Winona, MN:

• Today’s Biking Distance – 83.9 miles
• Today’s Average Speed – 14.9 mph
• Today’s Time In Saddle – 5.9 hours
• Today Ascent – 2,391 feet
• Total Trip Biking Days – 28
• Total Trip Biking Distance – 2,224 miles
• Total Trip Average Biking Distance/Day – 79.4 miles
• Total Trip Ascent – 64,214 feet

Long ride ride today and surprising amount of climbing in the hilly Minnesota countryside, but the weather was very accommodating (cloud cover, moderate temperatures and humidity, and no rain or threat of rain.  Paralleled the Mississippi most of the day, but alternated between riding along the river and on the nearby bluffs through the farms.  Had a tough 2 mile climb out of Lake City at a 10%-11% grade to get to the top of one of the bluffs.  However, the rode was smooth and when we arrived at the top of the bluff it was beautiful rolling farm country.  Overall a beautiful day to ride and great roads – thank you Minnesota.

Everyone else in the group missed one of the turns after Frontenac, MN and I ended up as the only person to ride the entire route today.  Lake City was an interesting river resort town I would liked to spent more time exploring.

Over lunch in Kellogg (another great hamburger) Diane shared that she lowered the mileage per day for the tour this year based upon feedback from last year’s group only to find that our group is the strongest group of riders they have had and we could have actually done more.  It works out fine in that I have more time for taking pictures, posting the blog and sightseeing.  They other riders seem to feel the same.

Saw my first fields of corn damaged by drought – very sad.

The hotel in Winona (which was not an impressive city based upon my ride through it), Plaza Hotel and Suites, was the best lodging of the trip so far – I even had a flat screen TV in the bathroom.  The restaurant attached to the Plaza Hotel was also outstanding.

Mile 28: Historical marker in Frontenac, MN on the Mississippi.

Mile 33: View (with cloud overcast) of the Mississippi between Frontenac and Lake City, MN.

Mile 39: View of Lake City, MN harbor. While I only passed through Lake City on the route today, it seemed like a very upscale river resort town.

Mile 41: View on Route 61 after leaving Lake City showing the bluffs along the Mississippi. Several times today we biked up to the bluffs (400-700 foot climb) and then back down to the Mississippi River bank level.

Mile 44: Half way up a 3 mile climb (4%-8% grade) with Lake City and the Mississippi River in the distance.

Mile 49: Scene of the rural roads and farms on the bluffs above the Mississippi. This section of the ride today was fantastic, great roads and views.

Mile 55: Another scene of the farms on the bluffs above the Mississippi River.

Mile 59: Scene near Wabasha, MN as I am descending from the bluffs above the Mississippi.

Mile 69: View along Highway 61 as I travel along the Mississippi River.

Mile 70: Another view of the Mississippi River and bluffs from Highway 61 near Minneiska, MN.

Mile 21: Bison along the route today. Due to rain this is my only picture today.

July 18^th Statistics – Osceola, WI to Red Wing, MN:

• Today’s Biking Distance – 79.5 miles
• Today’s Average Speed – 12.4 mph
• Today’s Time In Saddle – 6.4 hours
• Today Ascent – 3,722 feet
• Total Trip Biking Days – 27
• Total Trip Biking Distance – 2.140.1 miles
• Total Trip Average Biking Distance/Day – 79.3 miles
• Total Trip Ascent – 61,823 feet

Today’s ride offered every challenge.  First, it was forecasted for a 60% chance thunderstorms all day (and looked like it was going to rain any moment at 7 am).  I skipped breakfast (again) and left before everyone else.  After riding 6 miles, I found that our route no longer had pavement.  Fortunately, the road had hard packed gravel, the construction only lasted 3 miles, and the rain held off.  I kept ahead of the rain for about 20 miles when the rest of the group (who had some sprinkles as they left Osceola) caught up and passed me.

A downpour started just as we approached Stillwater, MN.  While the other riders took shelter in the van or someplace else, I put my camera and wallet in a baggie, unpacked and put on my Gore rain gear (jacket and helmet cover – I was already wearing my yellow Gore rain booties), continued biking and passed them.  The rain stopped after 15 minutes and the other riders caught up and passed me at about mile 35.  Near Afton, MN, the sky opened up and an even more intense downpour began for the next hour.  Being the Marine (or driven person) I am, I pushed right on through and passed the rest of he group (and never saw them until dinner) who sought shelter (and lunch) in Afton.  The rain was welcomed in one respect – it kept me cooler as I had miles of unexpected tough climbing (7%-10% grade) after Afton.

When the rain stopped I thought the day’s challenges were over, I was wrong.  The sun came out and the temperature rose,   15-20 mph headwinds began, and the climbing became even more challenging (almost 4,000 feet for the day).  On several long hills I was struggling to go 4 mph.  I finally arrived at our hotel in Red Wing at 2:30 pm (30-90 minutes before other riders).

A disappointment today was not being able to spend time in several quaint and interesting towns we passed, i.e. Stillwater, MN, Afton, MN, Prescott, WI, and Red Wing, MN (home of the world’s largest boot pictured below – size 678.5, which I saw through the window of their museum this morning at 7 am).

We had a great dinner in Red Wing at The Brickhouse (which was important as I realized at dinner that I had not had solid food all day except a banana and several cookies at the SAG wagon about 10 am).  My “Inferno Burger” stuffed with pepper jack cheese, onions and jalepenos topped with more pepper jack cheese, bacon, caramelized onions, and grilled jalapeños and served in a cheddar jalapeño bun was outstanding.  It brought to my attention that I am having a hamburger for either lunch or dinner every other day because that is what is available.  The good news is that the hamburgers have been exceptionally tasty and I have no guilt considering my daily exercise and genetically driven low cholesterol level.  The large caramel ice cream sunday was the perfect finish for an exceptional day of biking (or that was how I rationalized it).

Today’s special breakfast at Embers in Milaca, MN – Captain Crunch French Bread – Outstanding!

July 17^th Statistics – Milaca, MN to Osceola, WI:

• Today’s Biking Distance – 79.2 miles
• Today’s Average Speed – 14.9 mph
• Today’s Time In Saddle – 5.3 hours
• Today Ascent – 1,063 feet
• Total Trip Biking Days – 26
• Total Trip Biking Distance – 2.060.6 miles
• Total Trip Average Biking Distance/Day – 79.3 miles
• Total Trip Ascent – 58,101 feet

I decided to join the group for breakfast this morning because I : 1) got a lot of grief from family and friends from my last several posts for skipping breakfast, 2) didn’t want to be isolated from the group today because of the high threat of thunderstorms (it looked like rain at 7 am), and 3) was hungry – glad I did (see photo above).  The thick cloud cover kept the temperature and humidity down. Fortunately, I only had a couple of short and light showers today.  Forecast for tomorrow (another 80 mile ride) is same as today, but slightly cooler.

It appears we may have reached the 50% mark for total trip mileage today or will tomorrow.  I also rode into my 6th state today (Wisconsin).  We are going to be weaving between Minnesota and Wisconsin for several days until reach reach Iowa.  As I biked today, I started to see pine forest today and increasingly smell the aromas of country living (let your imagination run with that).

Great hotel (River Valley Inn & Suites) and dinner (shrimp and crab over pasta in garlic/oil sauce) next door at Tippy’s Canoe.

Mile 25: Dale and Doug at 1st SAG wagon stop today.

Mile 30: Post Office in Gandy, MN (population 100) targeted for closing.

Mile 42: Doug biking (and passing me) on a typical road today with Robert and Jim in the distance.

Mile 42: Nancy asked for a updated photo of me so here I am at a rest stop in Stark, MN wearing my yellow rain booties.

Mile 49: A historical marker in Sunrise, MN (population 88) for those of us 1) in the baby-boomer and our parent generations and 2) with Illinois experience.

Mile 58: Not a sign for “Center City Philadelphia” but for “Center CIty, MN”, population 628.

Mile 63: A scene from our ride today as we approach Wisconsin.

Mile 75: Crossing the St. Croix River into Osceola, WI.

Mile 75: Wisconsin – The 6th state I have visited on tour so far.

Historical Marker – Cascade Falls in Osceola, WI (see next photo).

Cascade Falls in Osceola, WI.

Interesting Site – Intelligent Nutrients Learning Retreat across from our hotel in Osceola, WI.

River Valley Inn & Suites – Lodging in Osceola, WI.

River Valley Inn and Suites interior.