Day 33 La Crosse WI to Wisconsin Dells WI

Day 33

The weather was overcast and very warm today. A much better start than yesterday! Today we are riding 90 miles and along the way, we are going to be on the Sparta to Elroy Rails to Trails. Its a 34 mile route that goes through 3 tunnels along the way. The original rail bed was built so as not to exceed a 3% grade. Makes for easy cycling. The original stations are still in use albeit for different purposes today.


The first tunnel is about 3/4 mile long and pitch dark inside. We were supposed to take a light along today. The inscription on the tunnels indicate that they were finished in 1873.

They all have huge doors that were closed in winter (when no trains were running)duh, to keep the tunnels from freezing and collapsing. As we approached the first and longest tunnel, there was a blast of really cool air coming down the pathway. Refreshing considering the temperature and humidity.

The paths are made of a very fine crushed rock, adequately packed so a road bike could run on it. All in all, a 34 mile trek through Wisconsins interior valleys.

A cool waterfall next to tunnel #1.



This pic was taken by friend Nan. She emailed it but I can't do much with it, as far as enlarging it. pretty cool!

Day 32 Rochester MN to Lacross, WI

Day 32
Well, we finally got rain. Just like the Oregon Coast, except it was 60 plus degrees. We woke up to rain driving against the windows of the motel in Rochester this morning. I rolled over and told my bunkies I would catch up later! Not!
So off we went into the melee. The winds were about 15-20 out of the southeast. We were headed east which translates to pretty ugly. There were flash flood warnings, thunderstorm wanrings and tornado warnings. It rained about 2-3 hours and then let up, finally clearing in the pm. All this on top of a 90 mile day!


This fella was in the lobby of the motel in Rochester. Handsome guy! And then there was the park we had SAG in!

And this really good scarecrow. Maybe a hockey mask? Nah...

This is the road through the back country later in the pm. The rolling hills and valleys reminded me of the Coquille valley! The road heading uphill was about 11% for a mile or so...a really tough climb so late in the day...

And these happy campers are glad to be in LaCrosse...its the end of this day...thank goodness. A really trying day. Certainly the worst weather so far...but no thunderstorms or tornados!


Here's moi entering Wisconsin and crossing the mighty Mississippi!

Day 31 Mankato MN to Rochester MN

Day 31

This is a 100 miler today and the weather is fine. We rode two blocks and then had an 11% climb for about 3/4 mile. It seems most cities are built on the rivers and rivers...are on the valley floor...hence a ride down into the city and a ride uphill to get out. Brilliant observation, don't you think? Hey, I've been in the sun too long...

Anyway, here's a pic of Waseca Park and one our daily SAG's. There is a monument here dedicated to those lost in a tornado in 1967.



And here's a pic of Concord. We visited later in the day. We had some fun with the mural that depicts the actual downtown area. Yeah, that's moi in the pic...Slow news day...Very hot when we finally finished...and high humidity...

Day 30 Worthington MN to Mankato MN

Day 30

Today is another century(a ride of 100 miles or more) and many folks are nervous. It turns out to be a fairly easy ride with a mild tailwind, pretty smooth roads, not much traffic, mild weather, and an elevation profile that shows a net loss of 1000 feet over the hundred plus miles. I finished in less than 6 hours of riding time. The morning's route took us by a huge bio diesel plant and then this huge wind turbine. It must have been close to 200 feet tall.

The population center of Minnesota are closer together than the previous few states. I also noted that the roadway ditches are really clean of debris. Oregon should take note.

In the small town(?) of Grogan I noticed this humorous sign.

Other than more pics of corn and soybeans, there was precious little of interest for photo ops on today's ride.

A rather easy day in spite of the mileage. We have another 100 miler tomorrow...

Day 29 Sioux Falls SD to Worthington MN

Day 29
Well, it was bound to happen...it actually rained on our parade. Rain and thunderstorms were forecast, although mostly to the south of us. It clouded up and by the time we started today, it was looking like inclement weather. It started raining moments after we left. In fact, before we cleared the city limits, it was coming down. It was in the 60's , so it was not totally unpleasant.


Here's a pic of actual Sioux Falls. The river is small...and muddy from rain...but the rock formations are quite something to look at. We looked at it in the rain! Ah well...
And here's a pic of yours truly at the gateway to Minnesota. We leave South Dakota behind and begin about 3 days in the gopher state.

The wet weather caused several bike crashes on wet railroad tracks early on today. Just some road rash and no serious injuries...thank goodness!

Lots of corn and soybeans...72 miles of them today...

This fine old colonial style house was in Luverne on our route today.

This suit of armor was on the front porch of a house along the way...yeah, who knows?

And this is Ian, my bunkie!

Day 27 Mitchell SD to Sioux Falls, SD

Day 27

Can you spell hot!...how about humid? This was supposed to be a relatively easy ride of 72 miles...uh huh yeah, right. It was about 100 in Sioux Falls when we got in. I struggled the final 10 miles or so. This old Oregon boy doesn't live in heat like this!


We stopped at a little country store to get something to drink early on in the morning. Here's Tom, Howard(age 79) in the middle and his pal Bob on the right. Nice fellows. They are riding their last day with us today. I'll miss them.

The heat was too much for this rare variety of Americana Hippopotomi...hmmm

And a group of us celebrating the 2000 mile mile mark of our journey. Todd on the left, the hunky studly guy, moi, Sandy and Leo.

We're happy to be here in Sioux Falls and tomorrow is a day off! Yeah...laundry....rest...yeah...

We got to the motel before the rooms were ready so we had time to....be silly( I managed to break my sunglasses today) and sleep...

Day 26 Chamberlain SD to Mitchell SD

Day 26

This is a pretty quiet day. 73 miles through yet more corn and wheat country. Today has one short steep hill right out of town and then its nearly flat all the way to Mitchell. ere's a combine working a field of wheat. Lots of trucks carrying bulk wheat to where ever. And in Mitchell is the famous Corn Palace. The original version was built nearly 100 years ago.

These guys are putting up this years scenes, all in native materials. The outside changes every year with new scenes. It was a nice place to visit...and it was air conditioned!

We had a great mexican dinner tonight...can you say oink oink!

Day 25

73 miles to Mitchell. Just another day on the saddle. Miles of wheat and corn. Rough roads. Chip seal gravel for 5 or 6 miles. Hot. Yeah and I paid good money for this!