Lakes to Mountains Tour

Attitude Control

Mon May 5: Worthington MN to Le Mars IA: 73 miles; sunny, side breeze, 77; 12:10-6:30.
Another first for my biking career, though NOT a good one: the first time I've been forced off the road by a semi.
Strike one of my unfortunate farewell to Minnesota came when I got back on MN-60. For three days I'd been on and off that superb biking road, but now the paved shoulder disappeared, and I had to ride in the traffic lane. Thankfully, few cars and trucks shared the road with me.
Strike two came with the 'Highway Closed' signs. The 12-mile detour added 2 or 3 miles to my day - with those final detoured miles running (sorry for the cliche) uphilll into a headwind.
It was still going well, with the light traffic giving me a wide berth. Then, as I neared the state line, a semi came up behind and laid on his horn. Hmmm... play chicken with an 18-wheeler? I think not! I braked and pulled onto the gravel, and he passed me only inches from the white line.
After thousands of miles of bike touring, I suppose it had to happen eventually. I refuse to let it color my otherwise good impression of Minnesotans.
My busiest school week since 2004 got off to a great start at Worthington Middle School. I had barely arrived at the school when three girls came up with a copy of my book, asking to autograph it to their teacher. When they started asking me about the trip, another teacher shooed them away, telling them to wait for my presentation.
The kids responded well to the talk by the 'Biker Dude' (as Rich had christened me). Talk about synchronicity - last week the kids had cleaned up a local ditch, and one of the students had found - UNDERWEAR!
So far, I've enjoyed a good reception. In Alton, I pulled over for a break. Across the street, a woman called me over. "Do you want some cold water?" She went inside to grab a bottle 2/3 frozen. Then she ran back inside, coming out to hand me a juicy orange. Thanks!

posted by Glen @ 6:25 AM