Day 32. July 18. Rochester, MN to LaCrosse, WI. 88 miles
Well, the heat got to me a bit today. We were into the mid 90s by noon or so. With the heat reflecting up from the road, it was hot. Fortunately, at mile 50 we got to ride on a bike path for 13 miles. the shade was a welcome respite. In addition to the temperatures, the terrain changed from flat to nice rollers to mountains. I never realized Minnesota had this kind of terrain. I assumed it was all
prairie like we had seen on the western half. Today, we had a fair amount of climbing, with the longest at mile 70 - one mile climb at 9-11% grade. That was hot. Lots and lots of water today. Once we got to the top of the ridge, the scenery was beautiful for several miles before dropping down for a nice fast descent. Then we crossed into Wisconsin and rode across the Mississippi River bridge and into LaCrosse. We've now ridden completely across five states!
Today was laundry day; still waiting for the dryer. Hopefully I won't be up too late as tomorrow is another 90 miles ride. Thirty miles will be on a hard packed bike trail and part of that will be walking the bikes through three tunnels. I think that will be better than riding over three big hills on a hot day!
Laundry just finished - 9:45. Way past my bedtime. G'night!
Be well. Do good.
Don
Stay cool, Don. They say relief is on the way temperature-wise, and it may arrive there sooner than here. Brutal heat--but I'd rather be on a bike with sweat rolling and wind cooling me down than standing out in it! Just discovered your blog--sorry for not following sooner. Good job, keep it up! Wish I could join you (for about 60 miles).
ReplyDeleteRod Hutton
Rod
DeleteThanks for the encouragement. It has been brutally hot the past few days. In the last four days, we have ridden right at four hundred miles. I could use a rest about now. Just a little over two weeks to go.
Don
Hey DOn, way to keep on plugging away at it through every weather and all kinds of conditions. Sounds like you are getting in on many different road surfaces. That is something I really enjoyed. Even though you are a bit late in the rack, having clean laundry is such a relief -- for a few days at least. With as many riders as you have on the trip, getting in on the laundry is quite a challenge, I am sure. Vaya con Dios, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chris. Some days do get long in the saddle. We' ridden just about four hundred miles these past four days. Hopefully no more re-routes tomorrow and we'll have an easy day with just 84 miles! Had some nice road surfaces today along with 30 miles of crushed limestone on a bike path. And we've had some crappy roads too -kea ump, kabump, kabump...for miles. All part of the adventure.
DeleteDon