Archive

Monthly Archives: June 2017
5

Northern MN: Day 12

Return Home to NorthfieldWednesday, June 28, 2017 Back home!Food was first stop, El Tequila in Northfield to share plate of nachos. Passing by “Peggy Prowe Bridge” Solid structure spanning Cannon River, Graced with bikes as sculpture & planters; I’m reminded that lovely bike options, Are just outside my door. Drove home through curtains of rain— Some light— […]

Continue reading
2

Northern MN: Day 11

Nisswa, MN—40 milesTuesday, June 27, 2017 ​Last biking day for this adventure…Scenic, circuitous, car drive this morning, To Nisswa. Memorable spot, Right on Paul Bunyan Bike Trail. Also home location for Stone House Coffee And their excellent scones! We made Stone House our first stop, Finding something G.F. for Bob. Northbound ride on trail Parallels highway nearly half […]

Continue reading
6

Northern MN: Day 10

Aitken, MN—34 milesMonday, June 26, 2017 Help When Needed!Beautiful ride today. Great ride temperature, Good roads, light traffic, Helpful breezes. View of lakes, Roadside flowers. All good. Returning to town, One mile from lodging. Bike sounds “funny / different”. For me, that is first indication of Flat tire! Stopped and squeezing increasingly flat tire, Guy on motorcycle pulls […]

Continue reading
2

Northern MN: Day 9

Wet Day—Aitken, MN—10 milesSunday, June 25, 2017 Find humor in the hard stuff…Today was one of those days for us. Woke to heavy rain, Meaning that we chose to change plan for day. The hard part was not highway hills, Wind in our faces, Mechanical problems… It was figuring out How to be flexible enough to Configure […]

Continue reading
4

Northern MN: Day 8

Rest Day in Grand Rapids, MNSaturday, June 28, 2017 Day started with great saying on coffee mug: “Life isn’t about waiting for storm to pass, It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.” Words for the day! Breakfast, laundry, clothes draped on bikes, Nap mid-morning. Really didn’t realize how we’ve run through our reserves. Special outing today […]

Continue reading
4

Northern MN: Day 7

Hibbing to Grand Rapids, 44 milesFriday, June 23, 2017 ​More than one side to the story…Started today tired. I guess I was, as I did “Cross Training” on two hills. (Means: I got off and pushed bike up the slope!) Info about Trail must have been old, As Mesabi Trail is paved with exception of some […]

Continue reading
4

Northern MN: Day 6

Hibbing—Mountain Iron Loop: 46 milesThursday, June 22, 2017 It’s Never Too Late! (That goes for you, too!)Hard rain during night. Clear morning highlighted puddles on trail, Raindrops clinging to lengths of grass, Sparkled like threaded rhinestones. Loop ride today, From Hibbing to Mountain Iron and back. Plan had been to turn around at Virginia, MN. Weary legs by […]

Continue reading
10

Northern MN: Day 5

Grand Rapids to Hibbing—44 milesWednesday, June 21, 2017 ​On the Mesabi Trail*…(*Editor’s note: see Wikipedia info below, for inquiring minds!) Paved trail, no motorized vehicles. Not flat! Several 8% grade climbs today. Legs more tired than end of last days’ rides. Trip designed for Bob and me to do trip together. I’m / we’re having a good […]

Continue reading
2

Northern MN: Day 4

Grand Rapids, MN—22 miles of ridingTuesday, June 20, 2017 First a few photos from yesterday…Enjoying tailwind on Paul Bunyan Trail (yesterday). Today’s Insights from the (bike) saddle…. Morning ride out and back from Gosh Dam motel— Twenty-two miles with wide shoulder. Purpose was to ride some miles. Made me realize, My preference is to have destination. Can […]

Continue reading
3

Northern MN: Day 3

Bemidji to Walker: 33 milesThen drove to Lake Winnibigoshish “Gosh Dam Place” OasisMonday, June 19, 2017 Living your dreams is just like life— Ups and downs along the way. Choose your dreams as often as possible! Bicycle day was “Tops!” Thirty-three miles of bike trail, Paul Bunyan paved trail all the way. Paved trail, Wind at our […]

Continue reading

Northern MN Day 2

Itasca State Park to Bemidji, MN: 41 milesSunday, July 18, 2017 ​In which we remember flexibility is key!Very late start on this day. Turned in “cabin” key at nine a.m. Took bike path to Headwaters of Mississippi River. Imagine figuring out start point of That BIG, HUGE river! Probably more barefoot people in icy water of […]

Continue reading

Northern MN: Day 1

Walker, MN to Itasca State Park: 36 milesSaturday, July 17, 2017 ​First third of day riding Paul Bunyan Trail. Off road trail biking definitely my favorite! Highways were fine: Courteous drivers, Some shoulder. Last 15 miles Hwy 200 W Big wide shoulder space, Easy, breezy. Lunch was in Lake George’s only cafe. Had “for sale” sign if […]

Continue reading