Day 46 Willmar to Marshall

Sunday 4th July
Daily mileage 69miles Average Speed 12.3mph Ride Time 5hr38min
Total Mileage 1684

After a thunderstorm last night we were pleased to see that the sky was more cloudy today and more importantly the wind had died down to a mere 6mph from the West. This meant that after breakfast we hit the road at 9.30am and headed SW on highway 23. It felt good to be going in the right direction again and we clocked up 20 miles before stopping in Clara City for a rest.

We carried on through Maynard and stopped in Granite Falls a further 17 miles later. Here we were pretty tired and it was time for a power nap on a bench by the Minnesota River. Again we cycled for 15 miles for a short stop in Cottonwood but we took some smaller county roads which were practically empty traffic wise. The towns are ghostly as independence day has taken priority and most of the shops are shut.

As the land is so flat you can see for miles all around and each town has a high water tower that you can see for a good 5 miles before reaching it which makes the last 5 miles before each rest feel like forever. We continued on the back roads into Marshall where after 70 miles I was seriously flaking and an exhausted tear may well have escaped. I don’t know what it is at the moment but its tough to get focused.

Looking confused on the corner of a junction not sure which way to head for a campsite we met Wally who was out on a short cycle ride. We got chatting and he invited us to stay in his basement for the night so that we could walk the 10 short minutes to the park to watch the fireworks tonight! Excellent!

We followed him back to his house just around the corner and met Kim his wife and their daughter Courtney. We showered and enjoyed grilled chicken and baked potato dinner with fresh fruit pudding including watermelon, delicious! Courtney tried out hair clippers on Kris for the first time and together with Kim they made Kris look handsome again! With a laundry on, we relaxed until walking to the park for 10pm fireworks to celebrate USA being independent from us! It was a fabulous night which we would have missed out on if we had camped as we intended, so thanks Wally and Kim for showing us such kind hospitality!




For all you tech/stat heads the following link outlines all the details about todays ride.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/39255578

Day 45 Silver Lake to Willmar

Saturday 3rd July
Daily mileage 57miles Average Speed 11mph Ride Time 5hr13min
Total Mileage 1615

We managed to have breakfast and get on the road by 9.30am and as we were leaving our waitress at breakfast Denise gave us $50 to treat ourselves to another night in a motel as she was sorry she could not have shown us hospitality by putting us up at hers last night. Thank you so much Denise, you are extremely kind.

Today was 95% humidity, 92degrees Fahrenheit, extremely sunny and very, very windy from the South. We ultimately want to be heading SW for the next week but it is simply impossible to go south in the strength of this wind. So we headed west on highway 7 but the gusts of wind on our side was making the ride pretty dangerous as this road is fairly busy. It was not so bad when we had a hard shoulder but when that disappeared as well we were forced to head north on county road 2 in order to find safer roads.

We had a short stop after 10 miles in Hutchinson for a supermarket sweep then a quick pit stop 8 miles later on the curb side in Cedar Mills that had a population of 53! We made a further 10 miles to Cosmos which were extremely difficult and as we arrived we collapsed on the grass under a tree and slept for an hour exhausted.

The county roads were nicer to ride as we did not have to worry about getting hit by traffic as we wobbled all over the road. It was so tough just to stay upright on the bike and we were so sweaty we could hardly grip the handle bars. With the wind we even had to time when we could sip some water as it was dangerous to let go of the handle bars.

As the wind pushed us north it was bliss as we sailed along without barely pedalling. Kris even held his t shirt out to create more of a sail, not sure if that’s cheating! It was good going north because of the wind assistance but with the wind on our back there was nothing cooling us down and the temperature was breathtaking. After leaving Cosmos we kept taking county roads north and west until we reached Willmar 25miles later. We checked into a super 8 cheap motel at a reduced price and ate dinner in bed from Walmart. Today was hard and I wanted to be at home. If someone happened to drive past and offer me a lift to Seattle I think I would have taken it.

Day 44 Carver Park Recreation Area to Silver Lake

Friday 2nd July
Daily mileage 27miles Average Speed 11.2mph Ride Time 2hr24min
Total Mileage 1558

After such a late night we slept well and had a lay in until 10am! We only made it out of the tent then because the sun was beaming on the tent and we were roasting inside. We were sweaty, stunk of the fire smoke, were covered in mossie bites and were still very tired so we made a headline for the lake to cool off, relieve the itching and wake up! It did the trick and we packed up, covered ourselves in sun cream and hit the road.

We headed west on highway 7 all day, there was a decent hard shoulder but the traffic was busy and the wind was battering us from the south at 10-20mph with gusts of 30mph. Although it was not a headwind it was tough just to stay balanced. We stopped for a few pit stops for a cool drink in gas stations and I even fell asleep at the counter in BP, I know I can fall asleep anywhere but that’s ridiculous!

Kris was lagging just the same with a headache from consuming more beer than water yesterday so when we came across Silver Lake at 4pm which had a cheap motel we checked in, showered and slept, just what the doctor ordered! The winds are set to continue for a few days yet and thunderstorms will replace the soaring temperatures but we shall have to knuckle down with the cycling over the July 4th weekend and hopefully we will feel recuperated after tonight.

Day 43 St Paul/Minneapolis - The Twin Cities to Carver Park Recreation Area

Thursday 1st July
Daily mileage 35miles Average Speed 9.9mph Ride Time 3hr32min
Total Mileage 1531

We got up for breakfast at 7.30am just as Irv returned from the shop with fresh bagels. We did not end up leaving until 10am as we enjoyed a long chat over breakfast. It was tough to leave Irv and Gwen as they have been the most hospitable hosts you could ever imagine and have gone out of their way to make our stay here so welcome, we thank you so much and we would love to return the favour some day when you next visit the UK!

We were severely lacking in enthusiasm to cycle today to say the least! We decided to take a 5 mile detour into St Pauls to photograph the Capita building and the cathedral. Back down Summit Ave we crossed the Mississippi River into Minneapolis. We found out that the river actually starts in Minnesota where it is so small you can step over it but its too far north for us to visit unfortunately.

We were on a fairly busy highway for a short while until we came across a bike trail leading 30 miles out of the city and we jumped on it. It was almost as busy on the bike path to be honest but a lot more pleasant to ride as protected from the strong wind, sun and traffic. We followed the path for the entire day with a short stop under a tree for a power nap and a short break in the depot café for ice cream.

We did not have a clue which road to head out of the city on so we thought we would just keep making use of the bike path until it stopped then see where we were on the map. As long as we were heading West (ish) it was ok. Basically we will attempt to utilise any winds for the next few days, it is meant to be windy with gusts of 30mph so whatever direction it blows, that’s the way we are going!

The first campsite we came across was irresistible and despite no running water it is quiet and is based on a lovely warm lake with a swimming beach with nobody else about. We swam as our wash for tonight and as we were drying off we met 3 lads Gil, Bob and Rob who had also cycled out of the city today just for a 1 night camping trip. We got chatting and took a short ride to the local grocery store then joined them at their camp fire for a delicious grill and too many beers. We stayed up til 3am toasting marshmallows, star gazing with fire flies all around. We even saw a brave racoon that kept venturing into camp. Tonight was meant to be an early night for a long ride tomorrow but sometimes things don’t go to plan!

Oh I nearly forgot to mention I fell off my bike today! I went to stop on the bike path to read a sign and only removed my left foot from the cleat in the pedal. As my right foot was still attached I looked at the sign on my right I leant too far over and could not remove my foot in time. So I went from standing position to laying on the floor very elegantly with not even a scratch just a few bruises. This little stack provided me with an adrenalin rush that helped me reach a further 2 miles up the road to the campsite!

Day 42 St Paul/Minneapolis - The Twin Cities

Wednesday 30th June. We had a nice lazy morning and were excited about our day today as we had managed to purchase some standing room only tickets for a baseball game that Irv was attending between the Twin Cities and the Detroit Tigers! We took a scenic drive around St Paul on the way to the brand new stadium over in downtown Minneapolis.

As we parked and walked up to the stadium there were many twins fans and the buzz was building. Interestingly there were Detroit fans mixed amongst the twins fans and there was absolutely no agro, not even a worry of it. We went to the merchandise store with the intention of purchasing a postcard and got carried away and walked out with a baseball cap, when in Rome and all that!
With our tickets we were able to stand anywhere we liked and so we found a prime position overlooking the first base where we stood for the first 4 innings then repositioned ourselves more in the direct sun for the final 5 innings overlooking 3rd base. Previously we had a crash course of baseball rules from Irv in the car and understood just about enough to really enjoy the game.

We were lucky to see a home run and some great defensive play which led to the Twins winning overall. We were not lucky enough to catch a foul ball however, the whole experience was awesome! On the way home we took the scenic route to a few of the 11,000 lakes in Minnesota. In particular we visited lake Calhoun where Irv used to live and is one of the highlights of the state. It was amazing to see how many thousands of people were able to be watching the game live and utilising the open spaces of the parks around the lakes on a Wednesday afternoon?!
Back home Irv gave us a tour of his basement where we came across his wall of vests that are memorabilia from his cross country ski races that he has competed in for 30 years. We also came across a tiny room where he makes ammunition followed by a long narrow room which is where his shooting range is! He pulled out a pistol and a rifle and we both had a few goes at firing the guns and hitting the targets 10m away. It turns out Irv has won many medals in the sport in the past and is quite a dark horse! I have to mention that Irv came closest to the centre followed by me then Kris came in a close third!
We ate a lamb bbq for dinner with Irv in the garden and chatted until Gwen his wife was able to join us for desert about 9pm as we retired to the kitchen. Gwen has been away on business and unfortunately we only had a short while to meet with her. Back on the road tomorrow and we will be sorry to leave such kind hosts and such a comfy home.

Day 41 Cumberland to St Paul/Minneapolis - The Twin Cities

Tuesday 29th June
Daily mileage 92miles Average Speed 12.4mph Ride Time 7hr24min
Total Mileage 1496

As nobody had collected our fee for camping last night and we had planned a 6.30am start we had a free night after all, but of no fault of our own as there was not even an honesty box! It was sunny and blue skies but extremely fresh and we only made it a mile into town when we came across a café for a pot of tea and jam on toast.
We decided to try and cycle on quieter roads into the metropolitan area as the traffic was building. We took County Road G West and as it was early there was no strong wind which made it easier. We made it to Balsam Lake for a quick pit stop then continued on County Road I to Centuria where our map showed no choice but to head South on 35 and West on highway 8 for 3 and 4 miles respectively. Now with a slight Northerly wind we flew down 35 which was not too bad but highway 8 was evil in respect of the surface and traffic.

We managed to grab a snowmobile map that are based on the same quieter roads we want but in the winter obviously! This showed us County Road Y south and some even smaller roads that darted about until we came across Dresser. On the way we met two other tourers Roderick and son Elliot heading East and we stopped to ask what route they had taken from the cities. We carried on the 35 south to Osceola where we stopped in a café to have a look on google maps for a clearer idea of where to go and took several digital photos of the screen to follow later.

As we left and crossed the bridge from Wisconsin to Minnesota, our 7th state so far, we met approx 10 cyclists from the twin cities cycling club who were heading home. We tried to keep up with them for as long as possible up a huge hill where Richard provided valuable information about a cycle trail that leads into the heart of the St Paul, now all we have to do is find it! By this point it was 1.30pm and we had cycled 50 miles.

We followed Richard south on 95 and then through Scandia where he shot off into the distane. Although with our directions we managed to carry on the lovely country roads to County road 4 then again we went south but was losing our way when we got help from a sheriff. It turns out we were very close as we pulled into Pine Point Park which is where the trail begins and we sat having done 70 miles by 3pm. We chatted to a few people including the president of the trail which passed nearly an hour.

The trail itself was great to ride on but busy with other cyclists, people on blades and walkers it was like playing dodgems for 18 miles. After about 10 miles we bumped into Richard again who was still riding and had actually clocked up the same daily mileage as us. It turns out he has won the cyclist who covered most miles per annum in his club for the last 3 years and does 100miles a day for fun! He turned around and rode with us along the trail and as we were early to meet Irv at his house he invited us back to his house for a beer and blue corn chips, which were random. It was nice to sit on a sofa.

Richard offered to guide us all the way to the end of the trail and to Irv’s house so we kindly accepted and set off. Thanks Richard and happy cycling! As it was nearing 7pm the traffic had actually calmed a lot and we had a fairly leisurely ride but it was quite hilly and our legs were weak. Today did not quite beat our longest mileage day and we were tempted to go round the block a few times but we did beat our longest time on the saddle!

We met Irv and Duke and were shown to our lovely room on the ground floor where actually we have our own bathroom and the entire ground floor! I cannot get over how thick piled this lovely carpet is my toes just sink, its so comfy here. Irv took us to the fish tavern where we had a Walleye sandwich which was once served to ‘Gorbachof’ (probably not the correct spelling but you know who I mean!) We had an ice cream stop on the way home in the busiest ice cream shop you ever did see. We spent a long time today obtaining directions and looking back on it, it was well worth the effort as the ride was almost a pleasure!
　
　

Day 40 Cable to Cumberland

Monday 28th June
Daily mileage 73miles Average Speed 13.2mph Ride Time 5hr30min
Total Mileage 1404

We were awake to the sound of the dogs barking as they stretched their legs at 6.30am and we made it over to join Irv for breakfast shortly after. Unfortunately, the morning weather was overcast, windy and it was spitting with rain so our intentions for an early morning start went out the window. We enjoyed a leisurely chat over eggs on toast with bottomless coffee until about 9.30am when it seemed to brighten up a little. This is Irv’s second home and he lives in the twin cities which we just so happened to be visiting in a few days time and we have therefore taken Irv up on his offer of staying with him again. I debated whether or not to give him loads of my gear to carry there in his car but decided it was cheating!

We cycled 4 miles back to Cable and a further 17miles to Hayward where we took our first rest stop then carried on South on highway 63 for 18 miles through Stanbery and Earl to Trego. After another rest stop we decided to take a short 8 mile diversion on the secondary routes in order to bypass the section of route 63 that was dual carriageway. We rejoined it at Spooner and made use of the Northerly wind by carrying on for a further 22 miles through Shell Lake and Barronett to Cumberland.

We arrived here and enquired into the cost of the motel where the owner said it was $50, it was not that nice, we asked about camping to which he replied he has lived here all his life and there is no camping within 10 miles. We carried on approx half a mile to the Beaver Dam Lake and found a nice campground right on the lake for $20. We felt like going back to tell him what we thought of him but it was uphill so we did not.

Once we set up tent we realised we had no dinner and were hungry especially as this place reminds us of Cumberland sausages which is our favourite food shopping treat at home. As if by magic we got chatting to fellow campers Jack and Tammy who invited us to finish there left over bbq which just so happened to be hot dogs but with real tasty sausages and watermelon for desert, scary huh? Thanks to you both for dinner and the company.

As I sit here and write I am flicking little red spiders off me which reminds me that Kris had his first tick on his leg this morning, it was only a wood tick though which do not carry any disease and it had not had chance to dig its heels in thankfully!