Tuesday July 17 Worthington MN to Mankato MN

and Wed July 18  Mankato to Rochester MN

Tuesday Worthington to Mankato

Tuesday was a fun ride.  We rode to ride.  108 miles.  15.3 mph.  Total elapsed time 7.5 hrs.   This is a great time for our group.  Compared to riding Oregon it is fantastic.  We have all improved in speed and stamina. The temperature was down a little, humidity was down and the TREES provided shade on the road.  Not a lot of shade, but, way more than the last 2 weeks.  We only stopped 4 times.  3 regular sag stops and 1 water stop.  Lunch was at yet another Subway shop.  Great system they have going.  I don't know how many Subways we have eaten in (way too many) but they are quick, clean, tasty and nutritious.  There wasn't much to take pictures of.  You've all seen corn fields.  Most of them in MN seem to be doing pretty good despite the drought.  Only saw 1 field in serious trouble from lack of rain.  Janel is our "farm girl" in the group.  Her family has a farm in Ohio and they have raised turkeys and various crops.

Wed July 18, Mankato to Rochester MN

Ever jump out of bed and feel like running up a really big hill just because it's there?  I didn't think so, I haven't either.  Unfortunately our route went up a very steep hill 2 blocks from the start.  The picture shows just the beginning of the hill.

Bigger than it looks

Nearly everyone made it up the hill, even the guys riding recumbent bikes.  The hill is actually a bit over 250 ft or the height of a 25 story bldg.  and a whole lot steeper than the picture looks.  My heart rate at the top of the hill was as high as when we climbed the Teton Mntns.  and only 15 min after we all ate big breakfasts.  On the way out of town we rode/walked  through a road construction site.  If nearly everyone gets off and walks you know it can't be good to ride.  Much of the construction was plain old mud.  How it got wet and muddy I have no idea.  Then it was more corn fields.  There were trees to shade the road now and then and we all appreciated them.
One of my personal goals was back to back days of riding +100 miles.  Haven't done this in 40 years.  basically since college.  We were all a little tired today and the humidity was rotten, we rode anyway.  Speed was a little slower than yesterday.  A few people "sagged" (rode the SAG vehicle) in to the hotel.  Nobody in the group I usually ride with.  We have ridden 2,300 miles through all kinds of weather, why would we change now?

Progress map updated each night

We have a map posted on the notice board each day that shows how far we've come and where we are going.  The line that shows how far we've come finally covers a good distance.  2,300 miles or almost 2/3 of the total.
The route for tomorrow is expected to be fun and scenic.  Jim, the mechanic says it is his favorite day.  That means hills.  Jim thinks riding flat land is boring.  We go through Lanesboro MN and part of the Root River recreation trail in MN.  The day ends with a steep descent into Lacrosse WI.
Ride safe
Sam