Crew’s Log…
Mileage: 88 miles
Climbing: 2850’
Weather: 60s to start. Upper 80s to end. Humidity was definitely there.
Highlights of the day:
I’m a little afraid to type this but I’ll chance it. The temperatures here in Minnesota and Wisconsin haven’t been all that bad. Generally, this is the HHH time of the year (hazy, hot & humid). It is humid but not that humid. It is warm but not that hot. We were supposed to have a fair amount of rain at least one day this week, but we “just” got wet from the water on the road. I know, I know. I’m jinxing us by typing this. Perhaps it will help if I also type - Thank You Mother Nature! There, I feel better now….
SAG stops today are worth mentioning today. Location, location, location. SAG #1 – roadside park complete with a stream and little falls. SAG #2 – Bistro’s Coffee House in Houston MN. Iced coffee, smoothies, sandwiches, and raspberry cream cheese croissants. Both stops provided the standard break for the riders to refuel and top off water bottles but with the added scenery and gourmet treats, they also gave the riders something to talk about after the ride today.
On the bike, riders were treated to more two-lane country roads through farm land. We added a new olfactory note to our repertoire – turkeys! I heard they were not as fragrant as they have been and they have been indeed most fowl. I guess we can’t be terribly upset about that. The farms are looking more eastern than western. By this I mean rolling terrain covered in corn and soybean. Large red barns next to two or three dome-capped silos. Images worthy of jigsaw puzzle status.
We had another very nice bike path. Described by riders as mostly downhill, tree-shaded, and in great condition. It provided a slightly cooler way to spin out 13 miles. It did have some mud and branches because of last night’s storm front but all made it through safely albeit a tad dirty. Off the bike path, there were the hills. You might have heard that the Midwest is flat. Not so much. The rivers & streams did a fine job cutting into the landscape. Ridges flank the roadways winding along the river. Our big climb of the day was on a road that went up, along, and then back down a ridge to the Mississippi River. By it went up, I mean the climb was about a mile in length and kept up at a steady 8-9%. It definitely got our attention.
The Mississippi River is the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin. We crossed over our 5th border and into our 6th state. Lots of pictures were taken. This time, we didn’t have the sun in the wrong place.
Time hydrate, eat, and rest for tomorrow.