This journey is just about halfway to its destination. So far:
We have raised $9175 for AFI. Thank you so very much. Amazing. We really have a chance to blow the goal out of the water. Please pass along to family and friends.
Cycling stats:
63,855 feet climbed
2001 miles
160 hours in the saddle
30 days
26 cycling days
7 States
5 dog chases (nothing too close)
4 flat tires
3 travel tubes of sunscreen
2 time zones
1 continental divide
0 jackalopes (but some really large rabbits)
Friday, August 14, 2015
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Day 29. Dalbo, MI to St. Croix Falls, WI
The storm that came in through the night was pretty strong, as it downed some smaller limbs. I was again grateful for the bicycle bunkhouse.
So, I know Poptarts are nutritional nightmares. We don't buy them anymore because I loved eating them too much. Well... the bunkhouse had brown sugar cinnamon Poptarts....and a toaster....and milk.....and I could not resist. Mmmmm. As good as they were, they did me no good on the ride. About an hour in, I was already hungry because I basically had a sugar breakfast. Not smart. (But they did taste good).
I take a bit longer in the morning to relax in my accommodations, but as usual, I am eager to get on the road. I am also slightly concerned I may be put to work on the farm. It surprises me somewhat that after 4 weeks I still have an eagerness to start the day on the bike. I do enjoy it, especially the fresh early mornings.
The ride was uneventful for the most part. Quiet back roads and byways with smaller farms. Much of the ride went through undeveloped and over-grown land where more deer were spotted and polecats were present. In several of the farms and fields there are tall wooden structures about 15 or 20 feet in the air, mostly at the edge of the fields. I take these to be hunting stands and blinds. I can imagine that the local owners have a relative easy time with gathering venison in the fall as these blinds look out over the recently harvested corn fields. I am sure it is harder than I imagine, but it does look like prime country.
In the early morning on the country roads, I especially enjoy the "quiet" sounds. I have often mentioned my
enjoyment of the fowl of the air on this ride. In the mornings, they seem to be in fuller voice with their variety of chitters, tweets, tidadees, shrieks, and cheers. I wish I had the knowledge of how to identify the calls of the smaller birds. I'm slowly working on identifying them by sight. I am nearly clueless on the bird calls.
Crickets have been a constant daily background sound for the past week. It seems contradictory that the chirps of the crickets are internationally considered the sound of silence. As in, "Cue the crickets". When really they are often a discordance of sound and certainly not quiet. Their racket is really more the sound of solitude, not silence. I have a lot of that on this ride....solitude.
Speaking of sounds, I have learned to love the screams of Chewbacca. Yes, the Chewbacca from Star Wars. Is there another? Listen to that guttural screech in your head. It is the same sound that large truck tires make when rolling over the rumble strips, at speed. With many of the State roads and highways in the recent states having center lane rumble strips, it is the sound I listen for when vehicles approach. When I hear Chewy howl, I know they are giving me plenty of room. It is oddly relaxing.
Finally, since I am on a "sound" theme today, let me address the missing Pandora song mix. For those of you who noticed, I have stopped adding that to the blog for a week or two. Fact of the matter, I have not listened to one note since the first pedal stroke I took four weeks ago in Astoria, Oregon Don't get me wrong, I "heard" the songs I listed played in my head, several times. However, I have just not put on the headphones like I thought I would. Several reasons; 1. Part of trip is to experience all elements of the road, sights, smells, and sounds. If I am going through this much effort, I want the full service. 2. I want to hear the traffic as it is approaching and to deploy evasive maneuvers as necessary. 3. It takes up too much valuable battery. 4. I have usually been out of cell service much of the ride. So with all of that, no Pandora. Now you know.
Oh, by the way. I am in Wisconsin today. Another milestone. St Croix Falls. Beautiful area that I will explore more tomorrow. I cycled past some falls that I will get a closer look at in the morning. They better be impressive as the ending climb was 9% grade to get to my lodging tonight.
Day 28. Melrose, MN to Dalbo, MN
The campsite in Melrose was in the city park and right next to the Sauk River. It was also apparently home to a stray cat that liked to hunt riverside frogs. When I tried to scare him away, his simply stared at me with a mouthful of frog as if to say "this is my spot, you leave".
In the morning I ate the requisite oatmeal from my JetBoil stove and set out for the 90+ mile ride to Dalbo.
The trail I was on yesterday continued for about another 30 miles. On this morning we were running close and parallel to the Interstate, so the animal sightings were reduced considerably. Compared to the previous day that had revealed grouse, deer, and a myriad of birds in the early morning.
Eventually the trail turns away from the interstate and the quiet solitude of the ride is enjoyed. There are certain stretches of the route where the area feels fully forested with the grassless, composted earth under large stands of trees. Quickly though one breaks through this back to the open fields and crops with the tall overgrown grass edging the trail.
The trail produces the same small town intervals as the previous day, and on one case I am drawn by the advertisement for the trail side cafe. It is about 25 miles into the run and they promote, among other things, espresso and homemade pastry items. Proclaiming the best food for miles. I sit at a table, garnering the typical stares and answering the typical questions, and order an espresso and banana/pecan muffin. There is only regular coffee, which is fine. I am not sure how good my muffin choice is because I eat a pineapple/toasted coconut muffin they bring me. Although not what I ordered, it was good.
Eventually the route departs the trail and I am back on the byways. Quickly, I wonder if I enjoyed the trail as much as I should. I certainly miss it already. The towns are now spread apart a bit further and are smaller, more rural outposts. For instance, I stop for lunch at the sole store in Ramey, where the hostess tells me it officially has about 8 people. I ate lunch with 1/4 of the town. The night's lodging is in Dalbo, whose posted population is 80.
Two days ago I spotted crop dusters acrobatically dusting the fields. By the time I got close enough, they made their last pass, banked hard left and flew out of site before I got their picture. Today, I am entertained by a pair that are swerving and diving over the crops like yellow swallows. I do finally get s decent picture of one as it is turning to make a pass. Any photo of them actually dusting does not turn out because they are lost among the tassel of the corn, they fly that low.
The largest city I pass is Milaca, about 20 miles from my destination. I spot an old converted house that is now a coffee shop and it beckons me for afternoon refreshment. I stop in for a mocha frappuccino and promptly spill the entire thing in my lap, chair and floor. So I spend the break cleaning up the coffee house, buy some water and set out for Dalbo.
The homesteads and farms along the way are prevalent, despite the town population counts reported. Chicken farms and dairy farms are dominant, along with the ever present corn and hay fields. The full smell of barnyards is in the air. (For those wondering if I am still on a daily skunk smell run, yes indeed and today was much more than one). The barn swallows, tree swallows, chikadees, and kestrels attract my attention today. Many lining up along the power lines to the homes.
The destination today is a Bicycle Bunkhouse supplied by Donn Olson, on his farm. A chance meeting of a touring cyclist years ago prompted him to convert an old barn to a place the adventure cyclist could stay for the night. It is stocked with a lot of food options. Has four rooms with wooden structure beds and a thin mat. A common area with old furniture that is well worn and comfortable. There is a outhouse and a shower house adjacent to the bunkhouse. The shower house have a large tub of water on top enclosed by poly sheeting that allows the water to heat the gravity pour shower. I am the only inhabitant here tonight, so I take full advantage of the couch. I must say, this is a great place to stay. A wonderful idea by Mr Olson. There was a large, heavy thunderstorm that rolled through last night, so it made the stay in the bunkhouse all the more special.
Tomorrow we enter Wisconsin.
In the morning I ate the requisite oatmeal from my JetBoil stove and set out for the 90+ mile ride to Dalbo.
The trail I was on yesterday continued for about another 30 miles. On this morning we were running close and parallel to the Interstate, so the animal sightings were reduced considerably. Compared to the previous day that had revealed grouse, deer, and a myriad of birds in the early morning. Eventually the trail turns away from the interstate and the quiet solitude of the ride is enjoyed. There are certain stretches of the route where the area feels fully forested with the grassless, composted earth under large stands of trees. Quickly though one breaks through this back to the open fields and crops with the tall overgrown grass edging the trail.
The trail produces the same small town intervals as the previous day, and on one case I am drawn by the advertisement for the trail side cafe. It is about 25 miles into the run and they promote, among other things, espresso and homemade pastry items. Proclaiming the best food for miles. I sit at a table, garnering the typical stares and answering the typical questions, and order an espresso and banana/pecan muffin. There is only regular coffee, which is fine. I am not sure how good my muffin choice is because I eat a pineapple/toasted coconut muffin they bring me. Although not what I ordered, it was good.
Eventually the route departs the trail and I am back on the byways. Quickly, I wonder if I enjoyed the trail as much as I should. I certainly miss it already. The towns are now spread apart a bit further and are smaller, more rural outposts. For instance, I stop for lunch at the sole store in Ramey, where the hostess tells me it officially has about 8 people. I ate lunch with 1/4 of the town. The night's lodging is in Dalbo, whose posted population is 80. Two days ago I spotted crop dusters acrobatically dusting the fields. By the time I got close enough, they made their last pass, banked hard left and flew out of site before I got their picture. Today, I am entertained by a pair that are swerving and diving over the crops like yellow swallows. I do finally get s decent picture of one as it is turning to make a pass. Any photo of them actually dusting does not turn out because they are lost among the tassel of the corn, they fly that low.
The largest city I pass is Milaca, about 20 miles from my destination. I spot an old converted house that is now a coffee shop and it beckons me for afternoon refreshment. I stop in for a mocha frappuccino and promptly spill the entire thing in my lap, chair and floor. So I spend the break cleaning up the coffee house, buy some water and set out for Dalbo.
The homesteads and farms along the way are prevalent, despite the town population counts reported. Chicken farms and dairy farms are dominant, along with the ever present corn and hay fields. The full smell of barnyards is in the air. (For those wondering if I am still on a daily skunk smell run, yes indeed and today was much more than one). The barn swallows, tree swallows, chikadees, and kestrels attract my attention today. Many lining up along the power lines to the homes.
The destination today is a Bicycle Bunkhouse supplied by Donn Olson, on his farm. A chance meeting of a touring cyclist years ago prompted him to convert an old barn to a place the adventure cyclist could stay for the night. It is stocked with a lot of food options. Has four rooms with wooden structure beds and a thin mat. A common area with old furniture that is well worn and comfortable. There is a outhouse and a shower house adjacent to the bunkhouse. The shower house have a large tub of water on top enclosed by poly sheeting that allows the water to heat the gravity pour shower. I am the only inhabitant here tonight, so I take full advantage of the couch. I must say, this is a great place to stay. A wonderful idea by Mr Olson. There was a large, heavy thunderstorm that rolled through last night, so it made the stay in the bunkhouse all the more special. Tomorrow we enter Wisconsin.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Day 27. Fergus Falls, MN to Melrose, MN
As the sun was coming up just off of Swan Lake today, it revealed a heavy dew. Breaking camp this morning meant packing a wet tent and other items away in the panniers for the days ride.
After some oatmeal and coffee, it was time to hit the streets. Actually I should say hit the trail. Today the ride is exclusively on a biking and walking trail. The State of Minnesota has some extensive trails such as these, many of them are converted railways similar to the Van Fleet and Fort Fraser trails.
With no traffic, it was a very peaceful ride. The "rails to trail" are generally gradual elevation changes, and in this area I encountered very little. The land around the trails at times raised up to meet and overtake the height of the trail in the form of what felt like high berms. Conversely, it often fell distinctly to reveal open field, or more often than not, lakes and ponds. At times I was covered in a canopy of broadleaf trees, other times the trail was treeless with corn and swamplands astride of the roads. These changes kept the ride interesting for the entire route. Often, long flat repetitive views can become mind-numbing.
The added advantage of being on the trail is that, since it was old railroad, there were towns of various sizes every 7-10 miles right on the trail. Most of the towns were marked with grain elevators right next to the track, most of which were operating. At least by the noises coming from within.
These increasing towns add an additional dimension to the trip that I have been hoping to encounter. In the previous weeks, some of the routes could last all day with one C-Store on the route. This is quite the converse. I stop in Evansville for fruit and more adhesive to again try to repair my shoe. In Alexandria, I stop at a trail side farmers market where I have a zucchini muffin and sample some coffee. For lunch I pull into Osakis for a bite at AJ cafe. I could have stopped another half dozen times for more food.
I lost count today on the number of lakes. Ok, I never did start counting. However, I am willing to call it, there are over 10,000 lakes here. They seem to put them to good use in many of the vacation areas with people on paddle boards, in paddle boats, fishing, tubing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming.
Of course, in between lakes and ponds, there were more crops of corn.
The day ends in Melrose where I pitch a tent at the city park. In the early evening, several people come out to enjoy the park to play soccer, frisbee golf or practice baseball at one of the two diamonds.
Almost half way.
After some oatmeal and coffee, it was time to hit the streets. Actually I should say hit the trail. Today the ride is exclusively on a biking and walking trail. The State of Minnesota has some extensive trails such as these, many of them are converted railways similar to the Van Fleet and Fort Fraser trails.
With no traffic, it was a very peaceful ride. The "rails to trail" are generally gradual elevation changes, and in this area I encountered very little. The land around the trails at times raised up to meet and overtake the height of the trail in the form of what felt like high berms. Conversely, it often fell distinctly to reveal open field, or more often than not, lakes and ponds. At times I was covered in a canopy of broadleaf trees, other times the trail was treeless with corn and swamplands astride of the roads. These changes kept the ride interesting for the entire route. Often, long flat repetitive views can become mind-numbing.
The added advantage of being on the trail is that, since it was old railroad, there were towns of various sizes every 7-10 miles right on the trail. Most of the towns were marked with grain elevators right next to the track, most of which were operating. At least by the noises coming from within.
These increasing towns add an additional dimension to the trip that I have been hoping to encounter. In the previous weeks, some of the routes could last all day with one C-Store on the route. This is quite the converse. I stop in Evansville for fruit and more adhesive to again try to repair my shoe. In Alexandria, I stop at a trail side farmers market where I have a zucchini muffin and sample some coffee. For lunch I pull into Osakis for a bite at AJ cafe. I could have stopped another half dozen times for more food.
I lost count today on the number of lakes. Ok, I never did start counting. However, I am willing to call it, there are over 10,000 lakes here. They seem to put them to good use in many of the vacation areas with people on paddle boards, in paddle boats, fishing, tubing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming.
Of course, in between lakes and ponds, there were more crops of corn.
The day ends in Melrose where I pitch a tent at the city park. In the early evening, several people come out to enjoy the park to play soccer, frisbee golf or practice baseball at one of the two diamonds.
Almost half way.
Monday, August 10, 2015
Day 26. Fargo, ND to Fergus Falls, MN
Hello Minnesota.
I have been asked to verify if indeed there are 10,000 lakes in Minnesota. If early returns are any indication, the answer is yes.
The initial entry into Minn at the beginning of the ride was not full of lakes, however. It was a slow transition of very flat prairies and crop land. After a late start from Fargo in a failed attempt to get a few needed items, including said water bottle from yesterday's blog, I headed out through the suburbs into the rural agricultural towns that defined the early route. It is harvest time and many of these smaller towns were colorfully advertising their upcoming festivals on hand painted signs at the edge of town. Sabin has their Harvest Festival this weekend and Barnesville has their Potato Fest in a few weeks.
The wind was favorable all day today, with few exceptions. So the ride was relatively easy and flat. At one point, just outside of Barnesville, I am at a pretty good pace as a train hauling some crops and other cars pulls out of the depot. As the engineer urges the train up to speed he slowly overtakes me and passes with a friendly wave. I am running most of the day next to these tracks and we end up hop-scotching each other about 5 times over 20 miles. By the last time we are laughing and waving at each other like old friends. From my perspective, I would say that I am much older than the engineer. But it felt a bit like the reverse. Almost as if I was the kid on the banana seat bicycle with the high handle bars chasing after the train as it ambled through town, waving at the grizzled train veteran (Some of you remember that bike, it was cool). Anyway, I found myself entertained by chasing a train today.
There was a road closure on the route and a slight detour. Nevertheless, I make the 70+ miles to Fergus Falls in good time. Many of the sections reminded me of cycling in Florida. The frequent snowmobile crossing signs were a distinct reminder that it is not always sunny and warm.
After picking up some camping fuel in town, the route comes off the road and on to a trail where no motorized vehicles are allowed. I may be on this route, a rails to trails conservancy, for the next couple of days. That will be nice. Anyway, about 8 miles out of town I am camping on Swan Lake. It is a campground with about 20 sites, six of them for tents. I set my tent up in a corner by the tree, just off the lake a bit. Several families are enjoying the water, in boats and kayaks.
For dinner I cook up a batch of Ramen noodles which are always surprising tasty. Most things are when you are hungry. However, they don't compare to the charcoal grills I smell cooking nearby.
I do get a treat tonight. For the first 3 plus weeks, there have been fire restrictions, so no campfires. Not here. It is humid, a bit wet, so there will be a campfire tonight. The offset, is that the Mosquitos are here to enjoy it as well.
I have been asked to verify if indeed there are 10,000 lakes in Minnesota. If early returns are any indication, the answer is yes. The initial entry into Minn at the beginning of the ride was not full of lakes, however. It was a slow transition of very flat prairies and crop land. After a late start from Fargo in a failed attempt to get a few needed items, including said water bottle from yesterday's blog, I headed out through the suburbs into the rural agricultural towns that defined the early route. It is harvest time and many of these smaller towns were colorfully advertising their upcoming festivals on hand painted signs at the edge of town. Sabin has their Harvest Festival this weekend and Barnesville has their Potato Fest in a few weeks.
The wind was favorable all day today, with few exceptions. So the ride was relatively easy and flat. At one point, just outside of Barnesville, I am at a pretty good pace as a train hauling some crops and other cars pulls out of the depot. As the engineer urges the train up to speed he slowly overtakes me and passes with a friendly wave. I am running most of the day next to these tracks and we end up hop-scotching each other about 5 times over 20 miles. By the last time we are laughing and waving at each other like old friends. From my perspective, I would say that I am much older than the engineer. But it felt a bit like the reverse. Almost as if I was the kid on the banana seat bicycle with the high handle bars chasing after the train as it ambled through town, waving at the grizzled train veteran (Some of you remember that bike, it was cool). Anyway, I found myself entertained by chasing a train today.
There was a road closure on the route and a slight detour. Nevertheless, I make the 70+ miles to Fergus Falls in good time. Many of the sections reminded me of cycling in Florida. The frequent snowmobile crossing signs were a distinct reminder that it is not always sunny and warm.
After picking up some camping fuel in town, the route comes off the road and on to a trail where no motorized vehicles are allowed. I may be on this route, a rails to trails conservancy, for the next couple of days. That will be nice. Anyway, about 8 miles out of town I am camping on Swan Lake. It is a campground with about 20 sites, six of them for tents. I set my tent up in a corner by the tree, just off the lake a bit. Several families are enjoying the water, in boats and kayaks. For dinner I cook up a batch of Ramen noodles which are always surprising tasty. Most things are when you are hungry. However, they don't compare to the charcoal grills I smell cooking nearby.
I do get a treat tonight. For the first 3 plus weeks, there have been fire restrictions, so no campfires. Not here. It is humid, a bit wet, so there will be a campfire tonight. The offset, is that the Mosquitos are here to enjoy it as well.
Day 25. Rest Day in Fargo
It is very nice to have a rest day after 12 previous days of cycling. It is good not only for me, but for my gear. Spent a bit of my time at the laundromat giving everything a good clean wash. Further, I had the chance to get a fresh haircut and shave. Haircut is high and tight. Just as importantly, my bike received a safety tune-up at the Great Northern Bicycle shop.
I stayed in downtown Fargo and enjoyed a few good places to eat and especially hanging out in the is small grassy corner next to the VFW. There were several tables about and some benches across the street where about 150 people had gathered to listen to a weekend jazz festival of local artist and bands. It was a very entertaining afternoon of traditional jazz standards as well as a lot of big band and swing tunes. The final set was the FM KICKS band, a group of local musicians that was originally formed several decades ago. (FM stands for Fargo/Moorhead, the two adjacent cities across the state lines).
Bike is in great shape, gear is fresh, now it is time to head to Fergus Falls, MN. I discovered this morning during my bicycle tuneup that one of Camelback water bottles is missing. They are pretty important, so unfortunately I am having to pace the morning to be able to get fully stocked again.
On the Minnesota.
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Stats
Less than halfway through the ride and we are almost at 79% of our goal of $10,000. Fantastic. Thank you so much. My hope is that by the end of the ride we look back at the goal and consider it a low estimate. Please pass the word along to co-workers and friends. Perhaps you can create a group that will make a contribution per State. We already have one anonymous person contributing this way and if we can get just 24 people or teams to donate $10 per remaining State, we can easily hit our goal. Thanks for all you are doing to make a difference other people's lives.
Riding stats:
25 days (22 riding days)
5 States
2 Time Zones
1700 miles
140 hours in the saddle
60,000 feet climbed
3 flat tires
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)