The first surprise of mt Rushmore as we rode towards the park
Peeking through the trees
Helicopter ride at mount rush more What a rush
Getting ready to take off
Friday, August 6, 2010
Pictures from South Dakota
South Dakota Making tracks - The road goes on forever
Popsicles or pop cycles in south Dakota
Wheat - heat - grasshoppers and frogs were the themes of South Dakota
Popsicles by pop cyclers
S D - cold and windy after a morning rain - 88 mile day rolling hills still at 6 pct
More pictures from MN
Corn and soy bean fields in Minnesota
Leaving south dakota - No state line into Minnesota so our router created one for us
Soy bean fields and rain moving in
6 - 7 ft tall corn
Bonding moments - father and son flatting at the same water stop July 24 - learning the dutch language from these two
Catching up on photos - Week 5 MN
July 24 MN River
Bridge over tracks - Sound of train in the distance
July 24 Yes more corn -blue skies and sunshine - Perfect day for a ride
100 mile day headed for Northfield MN
More corn - Gravel shoulder or rather no shoulderMonday, August 2, 2010
Aug 2 ludington to farwell
95 miles routed but a run around town makes it a century. I decided I want to ride 100 century rides. So i will figue out how many i have done on this trip and continue the quest when I get home. No idea how long it will take but ...i will do it. It was a great day , temps in the 70's , a sprinkle of rain, oh , the perfect day for a long ride. We had picnic in one of the oldest ,if not the oldest, black community where it was safe since the 1800's. The flamingo is a bar where The Tops, Sammy Davis ...other black musicians came to play . Martin l king ...the community is rebuilding it ! Several folks came up to our lunch area took pictures of us ,the bikes and shared the stories of their town.
I left early skipping the big breakfast , had my instant oatmeal at the school. It was really freeing to be out on the road so early .
Country roads with deep piney woods ,not much traffic , still a few corn fields. What a treat of a ride. Lunch ,which is referred to as picnic, was early today . Cant think of the name of the town right now. At mile 53ish the route took us onto a bike path for about 25 miles,back onto a busy hwy,then back onto the bike path . Great paved rail to trail bike path.no traffic!!!
I do have a few pictures from today - will get them posted later.
Pulled into farwell , Michigan around 145 . Drafted a lot today , maintained a good clip . It was the fastest century ever for me. I went directly to set up my tent . The next goal was shower, hamburger / ff and a beer. I got everything but the beer. fawell is something out of a story book. It is so simple and slow ..
At our meeting and getting routes for tomorrow two girls who graduated from the high school sang for us. One of them won singing for the stars or something like that. She was really good . I talked with her sister who was 8 and asked if she sang ,she plans to next year.she was excited about our bike trip . I encouraged her to ride her bike . So many folks are so very over weight ! It is such a national pattern. I cant help but think of all the contributing factors from a lifestyle , national and personal economic ,political, chemical and emotional
point of view. What in the world can change this pattern?
In the tent tonight ,in the 60's ..not too tired but fading.
I left early skipping the big breakfast , had my instant oatmeal at the school. It was really freeing to be out on the road so early .
Country roads with deep piney woods ,not much traffic , still a few corn fields. What a treat of a ride. Lunch ,which is referred to as picnic, was early today . Cant think of the name of the town right now. At mile 53ish the route took us onto a bike path for about 25 miles,back onto a busy hwy,then back onto the bike path . Great paved rail to trail bike path.no traffic!!!
I do have a few pictures from today - will get them posted later.
Pulled into farwell , Michigan around 145 . Drafted a lot today , maintained a good clip . It was the fastest century ever for me. I went directly to set up my tent . The next goal was shower, hamburger / ff and a beer. I got everything but the beer. fawell is something out of a story book. It is so simple and slow ..
At our meeting and getting routes for tomorrow two girls who graduated from the high school sang for us. One of them won singing for the stars or something like that. She was really good . I talked with her sister who was 8 and asked if she sang ,she plans to next year.she was excited about our bike trip . I encouraged her to ride her bike . So many folks are so very over weight ! It is such a national pattern. I cant help but think of all the contributing factors from a lifestyle , national and personal economic ,political, chemical and emotional
point of view. What in the world can change this pattern?
In the tent tonight ,in the 60's ..not too tired but fading.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Friday July 23
Today was an 88 mile day which turned into 108 after a ride around town looking for a hotel. There is a tractor convention in town so all hotels are booked and downtown looks like a parade of trucks and trailers. This was the most smelly ride yet. Farmers obviously using lots of cow manure ! Big trucks carrying cow manure by the tons. When they pass you the smell hangs around for the next mile or two . The road was bumpy with occasional tail wind. I left early heading out of town into the wind . At about 25 mi a guy pulled up beside me - proceeded to take the pull into the wind. We clipped along at 19- 20 till we got to a coffee shop in Clara. 10 or so folks came in for pastries and coffee. Sorry for the food details but food is a real focus everyday.
Our route included gravel - not for too long - RR tracks - several miles of no shoulder, a big hwy for 22 mi., some new pavement which was wonderful. The roads had a sparkle to them - diamonds come to mind- as the guy i was riding with and i shared some life / death stories we decided the ride was to be called "life stories on a crystal highway." The scenery was corn fields, soy fields and sugar beets, very flat, but you could see from one farm house to another. Yesterday there seemed to be miles between farm houses. elevation gain was only 1070 for the entire 88 miles. The corn fields made a great cover for those necessary stops along the ride.
We went through a little town of Olivia, corn capital! , and unfortunately there was a big building for Monsantos research. I got nauseated at the reality of that company.
Meeting beginning for tomorrow . More miles than predicted . Weather 70-80 percent thunderstorm tonight , light winds . Tomorrow 20- 30 % chance tomorrow plus winds . Tomorrow is another 100 mi day to get around road construction but on roads with no shoulder and busy.
The sag trailer busted a hub today !
Lots of good bye's to those leaving the tour this weekend. Eric and Dorthe from Denmark , Phillip and Trish from Austrailia and many others. I will miss them. The 5 of us plan to stay in touch. each friday we have an awards night . People are given either touching gifts or gag gifts for something that happened during the week. Ex. A gal was given an article on the legality and liability for peeing on the side of the road - especially in sight. You can be charged with indecent exposure... Article from the Bicycling magazine , not sure of the date of the issue .
Our route included gravel - not for too long - RR tracks - several miles of no shoulder, a big hwy for 22 mi., some new pavement which was wonderful. The roads had a sparkle to them - diamonds come to mind- as the guy i was riding with and i shared some life / death stories we decided the ride was to be called "life stories on a crystal highway." The scenery was corn fields, soy fields and sugar beets, very flat, but you could see from one farm house to another. Yesterday there seemed to be miles between farm houses. elevation gain was only 1070 for the entire 88 miles. The corn fields made a great cover for those necessary stops along the ride.
We went through a little town of Olivia, corn capital! , and unfortunately there was a big building for Monsantos research. I got nauseated at the reality of that company.
Meeting beginning for tomorrow . More miles than predicted . Weather 70-80 percent thunderstorm tonight , light winds . Tomorrow 20- 30 % chance tomorrow plus winds . Tomorrow is another 100 mi day to get around road construction but on roads with no shoulder and busy.
The sag trailer busted a hub today !
Lots of good bye's to those leaving the tour this weekend. Eric and Dorthe from Denmark , Phillip and Trish from Austrailia and many others. I will miss them. The 5 of us plan to stay in touch. each friday we have an awards night . People are given either touching gifts or gag gifts for something that happened during the week. Ex. A gal was given an article on the legality and liability for peeing on the side of the road - especially in sight. You can be charged with indecent exposure... Article from the Bicycling magazine , not sure of the date of the issue .
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Thursday July 22, 2010
To Montevideo , Minnesota today
Got out of the swampy farmland of SD. Mosquitos on the rise ! Rode 84 miles today , headwind most of the day but we did have some tailwind !!! Miracle!it was overcast most of the day , great day to ride ! Corn fields and soy bean fields dominate the views!
Still no AT&T . Their coverage is terrible = no coverage ! Wifi at the library only.
Short info today - more tomorrow
Got out of the swampy farmland of SD. Mosquitos on the rise ! Rode 84 miles today , headwind most of the day but we did have some tailwind !!! Miracle!it was overcast most of the day , great day to ride ! Corn fields and soy bean fields dominate the views!
Still no AT&T . Their coverage is terrible = no coverage ! Wifi at the library only.
Short info today - more tomorrow
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
7/18 in Pierre
3 new people join us today for the next week to Minnesota.
Pierre to Miller to De Smet to Watertown to Montevideo to Hutchinson to Northfield,MN 484 mi. Sometimes they change the route and the miles increase. The miles have yet to be less than predicted! Ha ha
5 more weeks to go
Norma B
Pierre to Miller to De Smet to Watertown to Montevideo to Hutchinson to Northfield,MN 484 mi. Sometimes they change the route and the miles increase. The miles have yet to be less than predicted! Ha ha
5 more weeks to go
Norma B
7/17 Phillip to Pierre SD
89 mi. Over 100 degrees again today. More rolling hills of 6-7-9 % grade. After half of it i signaled for a ride to camp. I was getting overheated and knew it was time to call it quits for the day. Several others did too.probably dehydrated on top of a not so good sleep last night . We passed the scene where dances with wolves was filmed. We passed into central time zone. Acres and acres of wheat were being harvested. - very windy!
A really sweet girl on the tour, Casey, and i have been wanting a manicure for weeks. On our day off in pierre we went and had a girls day of hair and nails ...pampering on a different level. Casey is 18 and passed up her graduation to come do this ride! We gave her a surprise graduation ceremony and diploma !
A favorite activity of many is indulging in an ice-cream treat daily. So the search took us to Zesto's , THE best ice cream parlor in pierre. All the locals pointed us to it confessing they go there quite frequently. Being allergic to milk i only sneak a little whip cream off the top of Casey's sundae.
We went to a country club for dinner, celebrating the last week before a couple from Denmark and a couple from Australia leave the tour.
As I was walking out i saw a table of older folks looking at me in wonderment so i answered the curiosity with an explanation of the trip and why i was doing it . They were so excited , supportive and inspired to do something out of the norm for them. One of the women was especially inspired and asked if we could stay in touch and promised me a trip to Austin. We traded email addresses .... Those interactions are such an important part of the trip for me. To see someone inspired to do something they have dreamed of - or even want to find their passion and follow it is equally inspiring to me !
Usually each night we stay at a school. Camping out on the lawn ,some get a local hotel. This weekend those who stayed at the were at an Indian educational center where homeless indian children from the ages of 5-13 came to get parenting, education and basic life skills.
Really sad situation but inspiring too . The people who work there are totally dedicated to the children for years . They are given phone numbers they can call for help if they ever go back to the reservation and need help. A small percent go on to finish high school and go on to college.
I stayed in a hotel, cleaned my bike and enjoyed the time off. However i found myself riding my bike to the stores and loving it. I could see myself being a bike cabby in downtown Austin for a while. Might have to spike my hair or something cool. No , no tattoos for me ,well Maybe a temporary one - just for fun.
Pictures of this weekend will be posted later. - can't do it from my iPad.
A really sweet girl on the tour, Casey, and i have been wanting a manicure for weeks. On our day off in pierre we went and had a girls day of hair and nails ...pampering on a different level. Casey is 18 and passed up her graduation to come do this ride! We gave her a surprise graduation ceremony and diploma !
A favorite activity of many is indulging in an ice-cream treat daily. So the search took us to Zesto's , THE best ice cream parlor in pierre. All the locals pointed us to it confessing they go there quite frequently. Being allergic to milk i only sneak a little whip cream off the top of Casey's sundae.
We went to a country club for dinner, celebrating the last week before a couple from Denmark and a couple from Australia leave the tour.
As I was walking out i saw a table of older folks looking at me in wonderment so i answered the curiosity with an explanation of the trip and why i was doing it . They were so excited , supportive and inspired to do something out of the norm for them. One of the women was especially inspired and asked if we could stay in touch and promised me a trip to Austin. We traded email addresses .... Those interactions are such an important part of the trip for me. To see someone inspired to do something they have dreamed of - or even want to find their passion and follow it is equally inspiring to me !
Usually each night we stay at a school. Camping out on the lawn ,some get a local hotel. This weekend those who stayed at the were at an Indian educational center where homeless indian children from the ages of 5-13 came to get parenting, education and basic life skills.
Really sad situation but inspiring too . The people who work there are totally dedicated to the children for years . They are given phone numbers they can call for help if they ever go back to the reservation and need help. A small percent go on to finish high school and go on to college.
I stayed in a hotel, cleaned my bike and enjoyed the time off. However i found myself riding my bike to the stores and loving it. I could see myself being a bike cabby in downtown Austin for a while. Might have to spike my hair or something cool. No , no tattoos for me ,well Maybe a temporary one - just for fun.
Pictures of this weekend will be posted later. - can't do it from my iPad.
7/16 Badlands National Park
Mountain goats - big and small, and great looking mountains bring a smile to my face at Badlands National Park.
7/15 Rapid city to Interior
84 mi. Really tough day, hot long and what they call rolling hills is more than a gentle rolling hill!
Here is someone's Home Sweet Home - a long time ago.
7/14 Custer to Rapid City SD
68 miles today.
Getting hotter by the day- sometimes by the hour. There seems to always be a major climb to the camp site! I sure wish I was stronger and I know I am stronger than the first week ! Can't wait to share more pictures.
Thinking of John as I pass a golf course
Getting hotter by the day- sometimes by the hour. There seems to always be a major climb to the camp site! I sure wish I was stronger and I know I am stronger than the first week ! Can't wait to share more pictures.
Thinking of John as I pass a golf course
Day off at Devils Tower
7/11 day off in DT rented a cabin instead of tenting it. Rained , cool temps at night days really warm. Days off are for recovery, laundry and preparation for the next day . Hydrate ! Or ...
Wednesday july 19 2010
At the Goss Opera house in Watertown SD having a glass of wine . Toady was a short day of 60 miles , great temperature after a big storm . We stopped by a retirement home where the old folks were thrilled to hear the stories of the trip across america.we were told that the tenants start getting excited about 2 weeks before we arrive and talk about us for 2 more weeks.
The road we were to ride was under water for a short section - closed to cars but we got through. I was taking pictures with my phone , not watching too closely to the road and dropped into a hole about 10- 12 in.deep. I unclipped quickly and saved a potentially very wet fall.one guy fell and broke handle bars ... Rider ok .This was one of the few country roads we have ridden . I loved it.The roads felt more like some of the Austin rides. ( pictures to come)
We were passing a lake and decided to jump in.after getting close to it we realized it was really slimy ,lots of algae, to the point you could not see into it. One guy did jump in with the promise of 10 beers as his bribe /reward. Pictures to come. We stopped at an Irish pub first thing ,had a few pitchers of beer,french fries , onion rings, hamburgers, fish and chips...no one danced on the tables but the owner did promise us some Irish music and dance. Never happened but a fun offer.
I went on to camp, got cleaned up, got my tent up, crawled in to journal a bit before dinner and proceeded to fall fast asleep. Woke up in time to go to dinner then went downtown to the museum and pub. A guy saw some of the riders in town and contacted the Mayor , told him about our adventure , so he paid for a driver and trolley to come pick us up and take us to the museum/pub ...restaurant . It was built in the early 1900's , theatre with balcony ... Pics later- the trolley driver played the local radio as we toured the town. The song that came on was "take the long way home" we joked that that was exactly what we all were doing.
It is now time for sleep again, raining, winds coming up, storm suppose to get worse around midnight or later. Sure appreciate a water proof tent.
The road we were to ride was under water for a short section - closed to cars but we got through. I was taking pictures with my phone , not watching too closely to the road and dropped into a hole about 10- 12 in.deep. I unclipped quickly and saved a potentially very wet fall.one guy fell and broke handle bars ... Rider ok .This was one of the few country roads we have ridden . I loved it.The roads felt more like some of the Austin rides. ( pictures to come)
We were passing a lake and decided to jump in.after getting close to it we realized it was really slimy ,lots of algae, to the point you could not see into it. One guy did jump in with the promise of 10 beers as his bribe /reward. Pictures to come. We stopped at an Irish pub first thing ,had a few pitchers of beer,french fries , onion rings, hamburgers, fish and chips...no one danced on the tables but the owner did promise us some Irish music and dance. Never happened but a fun offer.
I went on to camp, got cleaned up, got my tent up, crawled in to journal a bit before dinner and proceeded to fall fast asleep. Woke up in time to go to dinner then went downtown to the museum and pub. A guy saw some of the riders in town and contacted the Mayor , told him about our adventure , so he paid for a driver and trolley to come pick us up and take us to the museum/pub ...restaurant . It was built in the early 1900's , theatre with balcony ... Pics later- the trolley driver played the local radio as we toured the town. The song that came on was "take the long way home" we joked that that was exactly what we all were doing.
It is now time for sleep again, raining, winds coming up, storm suppose to get worse around midnight or later. Sure appreciate a water proof tent.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Updating
Sat July 17 , 2010
Phillip SD to Pierre SD 89 miles elevation gain 3524
Head wind -as usual till the end then we got a little tail wind. - temps over 100 - choppy up and down . The ups were still 6,7,8,9 % climbs.
Amber waves of grain - wheat fileds being harvested - grasshoppers everywhere. They actually made music as some hit the spokes and others were squashed under the wheels. I mean solid grasshoppers. I didn't sleep well last night so i was pretty tired, sleepy and probably dehydrated. This combination made a not so successful ride. I got overheated and the support was really stretching to cover all the water and support for the 80-90 people riding. So , when the sag wagon came by and i knew i was getting overheated i asked for a ride in after about 45 miles in the heat. Bummed but safe . Two other folks got in trouble with the heat - more than i did.
Was glad it was the end of the week and i had a cheap hotel for the day off. It was a tough week with the heat and some competitive - sometimes rude -personalities that were new to the group. But hey the rides were great. Bad lands national park,needles hwy, mount rushmore- saw the monument from a helicopter!! , crazy horse monument, Custer memorials... More details with the daily blog for that week.
Day off : laundry , biked to the local mall for a manicure , pedicure with a fellow rider , Cassey, and a hair appointment . Ahhhhhhh afterwards several of us met for dinner at the View, a nice restaurant next to a country club / golf course. Met some wonderful local folks who were excited about my adventures . We exchanged email addresses and hoped to reconnect again another time. This has happened so many times . I love meeting new people and feeling the instant friendship.
Monday July 19, 2010 Pierre to Miller 88 miles . we began in the rain this morning , headwind was really strong. It was predicted 10 -15 but it was actually 15- 25 gusting to 30. Hills were challenging. At the first water break i nearly froze . there was a cold wind off the lake ! I didn't waste too much time there. Shortly after that we had a left turn and had a tailwind for a bit. What a blessing. After lunch i jumped on the back of a group of 4 and flew! At that point it was pretty flat so i was able to hang with them all the way to camp. We flew at about 22 - 23.
Getting into town most folks run to the closest Dairy Queen. I go for the social but skip the dairy sweets...
Today the roads were covered with frogs - all sizes- dead and alive.
Tuesday july 20,2010 Miller to De Smet. 78 miles south wind 10 mph today dead frog day , cattle drive crossed the road - cowboys on 4 wheelers- not quite the same as the good ole Bonanza days. De Smet offers the Laura Wilder home of the little house on the prarie. I didn't go do the tour. Now we at the DQSipping on a Cappuccino Moo Latte. I got the whip cream and a little sip of the coffee. Yum !
Tomorrow is a shorter day of 59 or 69 depending on if a particular road is flooded or not. Will see . Pictures to come later
Tues. July 20, 2010 Miller to De Smet 78 miles
Phillip SD to Pierre SD 89 miles elevation gain 3524
Head wind -as usual till the end then we got a little tail wind. - temps over 100 - choppy up and down . The ups were still 6,7,8,9 % climbs.
Amber waves of grain - wheat fileds being harvested - grasshoppers everywhere. They actually made music as some hit the spokes and others were squashed under the wheels. I mean solid grasshoppers. I didn't sleep well last night so i was pretty tired, sleepy and probably dehydrated. This combination made a not so successful ride. I got overheated and the support was really stretching to cover all the water and support for the 80-90 people riding. So , when the sag wagon came by and i knew i was getting overheated i asked for a ride in after about 45 miles in the heat. Bummed but safe . Two other folks got in trouble with the heat - more than i did.
Was glad it was the end of the week and i had a cheap hotel for the day off. It was a tough week with the heat and some competitive - sometimes rude -personalities that were new to the group. But hey the rides were great. Bad lands national park,needles hwy, mount rushmore- saw the monument from a helicopter!! , crazy horse monument, Custer memorials... More details with the daily blog for that week.
Day off : laundry , biked to the local mall for a manicure , pedicure with a fellow rider , Cassey, and a hair appointment . Ahhhhhhh afterwards several of us met for dinner at the View, a nice restaurant next to a country club / golf course. Met some wonderful local folks who were excited about my adventures . We exchanged email addresses and hoped to reconnect again another time. This has happened so many times . I love meeting new people and feeling the instant friendship.
Monday July 19, 2010 Pierre to Miller 88 miles . we began in the rain this morning , headwind was really strong. It was predicted 10 -15 but it was actually 15- 25 gusting to 30. Hills were challenging. At the first water break i nearly froze . there was a cold wind off the lake ! I didn't waste too much time there. Shortly after that we had a left turn and had a tailwind for a bit. What a blessing. After lunch i jumped on the back of a group of 4 and flew! At that point it was pretty flat so i was able to hang with them all the way to camp. We flew at about 22 - 23.
Getting into town most folks run to the closest Dairy Queen. I go for the social but skip the dairy sweets...
Today the roads were covered with frogs - all sizes- dead and alive.
Tuesday july 20,2010 Miller to De Smet. 78 miles south wind 10 mph today dead frog day , cattle drive crossed the road - cowboys on 4 wheelers- not quite the same as the good ole Bonanza days. De Smet offers the Laura Wilder home of the little house on the prarie. I didn't go do the tour. Now we at the DQSipping on a Cappuccino Moo Latte. I got the whip cream and a little sip of the coffee. Yum !
Tomorrow is a shorter day of 59 or 69 depending on if a particular road is flooded or not. Will see . Pictures to come later
Tues. July 20, 2010 Miller to De Smet 78 miles
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Week 4 - monumental memories of cycling across america
Catching up on some photos and journaling.
Approaching Devils Tower
Approaching Devils Tower
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