July 16, Sioux Falls to Worthington MN

Today started off nice.  We had +8 miles on the local bike path to get us out of town.  Then the sidewall of my front tire blew, nice round hole.  Couldn't see the problem until the new tube was in and started to inflate it.  The support rider and the support van were both there before I even had the tire off the rim.  I have now replaced both tires and 4 tubes.  About time for this nonsense to end.  This is more flats than I get in a year of riding.  May have something to do with putting on as many miles as in a year and many of them on highway shoulders.  Day got better from there.
We crossed into Minnesota!!!

Minnesota, note TREES in the picture

 One more state done and we are back in the land of trees.  Desert, wheat fields, scrub brush and vast open scenery of nothing have gotten old.  Someone once wrote "I shall never see anything as lovely as a tree"  They got it right.  Green, growing and waving in the breeze. 
Jeff, one of the tour people got a "care" pkg today.  It was full of hats and headwear.

Hats from past riders

Cathy, Barb, Jeff

There was everything from headbands to dreadlocks in the box.  The box is from a group of past riders who send regularly send fun pkgs. to Jeff.  Jeff is a good guy to ride with, knowledgeable, patient and Strong rider.  He leads the New Orleans to Minneapolis ride.  More of a vacation ride than the challenge of cross country.

All of you who wanted a you tube video here you are:  "Teton Pass Summit Descent into Jackson"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0cjZhEZ--M
This is a video Randy Milar shot with a helmet cam.  Long long descent
Bicycle Speed starts at about 35 and ends at just over 40mph.  When the picture dips it is because Randy looked down at his speedometer and heart rate monitor.  The conversation at the beginning is about a rider who was on the tour with us and crashed at the end of this descent.  At the time of the video we knew no details of the crash.  The rider who crashed is ok.  Low blood oxygen level from the altitude was a factor in the crash.  Below 90 is considered hazardous, his was at 83. 
Scenery is gorgeous.  It was NOT thrilling or gorgeous enough to ride back up the mountain and ride  it again. 
My left pinkie finger and ring finger are still weak  from Ulnar nerve compression.  (too much or too long having pressure on the base of your hand on the pinkie finger side)  Ulnar nerve runs through the elbow to the spinal cord.  It is not a problem I have had before.  I am Following recommended exercises and icing on my elbow. Added padding to handlebars and got new gloves with different padding.  Also called my dr. in Milwaukee to see what recommendations he has, he is very active in skiing and riding.
Enjoy the day
Sam