Lakes to Mountains Tour

The Transition Day

Sat May 3: Fairibault to St James MN: 80 miles; 41 at start, 55 at 2:00, sunny, side- and headwinds; 8:40-6:10
Today was a tale of two rides, as this tour segues from interesting scenery into several days of monotonous flatland. I don't expect much improvement until I hit the Platte River.
I started early, with brisk 41-degree temperatures awaiting me. The SSH Trail surface was decidedly more aged/less smooth than I'd found on the Root River or Douglas trails, but it still beat many of the roads I've ridden. The scenery featured segments of wooded canopies beside lakes interspersed with wide-open plains - a preview of what was soon to come. The gusty winds (strong enough to generate whitecaps on Cannon Lake) kept my speed under 12 mph.
Ride 2 was simply a grind - over twenty miles on a four-lane divided highway, and ten-plus more on back country roads, though a wide-open landscape. With no trees to shelter me, the wind dropped my speed to around 10 mph. Though the temperatures hit the mid-50s, the long day drained me.
Now I've got another warm bed and friendly host Rheiny and Mildred Besel. This couple, married 57 years, raised four kids and now enjoy 5 or 6 great-grandkids. Pleasant company is always so much more fulfilling than hotel rooms!
Side note: I've been through quite the tourist region. Sparta WI bills itself as the Bicycling Capital of America; Houston MN (on the Root River) hosts the International Horned Owl Festival every March, and Fairibault is home to the Fairibault Woolen Mills and home to the company that makes the Tilt-A-Whirl amusement ride.

posted by Glen @ 6:34 AM