Getting Through Challenging Days

Raccoon River Valley Trail—Day 1

Perry to Panora, Iowa: 51 milesFriday, September 15, 2017 Hi Friends,Longer rider than mapped today. Lost twice. Yuck! I hate being lost anytime— Lost via bicycle just adds work. We’re riding Raccoon River Valley Trail. Keeps us out of traffic, Mostly bordered with habitat corridors, As it routes beside farm fields. Especially grateful for sheltering trees, Windbreak and shade […]

Tour de WYO 2017: Day 3

Rock River to Saratoga: 75 miles—I rode 50.Tuesday, July 18, 2017 Scheduled ride was 75 miles. I rode 50. Started in intermittent rain— Beautiful rainbow. One rider said, “Good omen for day!” First seventeen miles with cloud cover Temps mid 60’s. Made the headwind almost unnoticeable. Cleared off. Wyoming’s clear blue skies Bring the heat, high 80’s. Biked by […]

Tour de WYO 2017: Day 2

Wheatland to Rock River: 79 miles—I rode 43 milesMonday, July 17, 2017 This day’s ride was HARD. All the descriptors from yesterday— Losing two thousand feet With downhill highways. Strong, tailwind, powerful assist— Do not apply. Today altitude gain went from 4000 to 7000, That means lo-o-o-ong uphills for slow climbing. Headwinds made work even harder. Add heat, […]

Tour de Wyoming 2017: Preparation

Friday, July 14th, 2017 On Sunday, 16th, Wyoming State bike ride begins! I will be a rider, and the speaker first night out. My five days at cabin above Centennial, Elevation 8,500 ft have been challenge I’d not expected. All is well, really. Just that years past, Acclimation to altitude happened fairly fast. Different year, Different experience. I’m […]

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 […]

Winter Solstice

Wishes and ReflectionSWednesday, December 21, 2016 Hello friends, Longest day, darkest day.Tomorrow and tomorrow …Slowly light nibbles darkness,Renewing thoughts ofDaylight opening possibility.This season is a hard one for me,With darkness and cold.Possibility has remained all along,Just difficult for me to be positive,To motivate.I ride stationary bike while readingIn little exercise room of Village,Go to Senior Center […]

MN Mini-Tour: Day 6

Caledonia to Rushford, MN: 36 miles biked, 12 miles hired SAGMonday, September 26, 2016 Sunshine, beautiful countryside, vistas,Then all those things with WIND!In our faces.Out of Caledonia via bluffSwoops and climbs,Lots of high bluff-top riding.One point having climbed several hills in sunshine,Stopped to take off layers.Next were two miles of downhill swoopsIn shade side of […]

MN Mini-Tour: Day 5

LeRoy to Caledonia, MN: 60 milesSunday, September 25, 2016 First I’ll correct yesterday’s destination:LeRoy, MN and the Sweets Hotel,In case you are chasing us on map.My typo.Today started with Peggy Prowe, Bob and I together hotel dining room,Seven a.m. breakfast—Possible because PeggySpecifically asked for early time,Instead of usual eight.Lesson here …Always ask.Answer may be in […]

Yippee, Skippee!

Another Bike Trip Soon!Tuesday, September 20, 2016 I’ll be heading out with Bob onWednesday, Sept. 21.Ten days, just two of us.Ride Southeast MN: small roads, some trails.Preparation flurry almost TOO MUCH.Trips to purchase very bright rear tail lights,Return trip for replacement switch on one light.Deciding among gluten free bars,Essential back-up food for Celiac Bob.Dozens of […]

The Challenge of Re-entry

Life after the Adventure…Thursday, August 18, 2016 I promised I’d let you know that I’m home safely…Driving home through rainHeavy and dark,Dramatic contrast to dryness ofOur Western digs.Rain enough toRaise river level in Northfield.Folks buzzing in town squareViewing & photographing swollen Cannon River.Portion of bicycle pathUnderwater until river subsides.I’m glad to be here,Yet, I have […]

600 mile day

By Car! … Returning to WyomingMonday, July 25, 2016 Sheridan Tour de Wyoming endpointLaunched Bob, Elizabeth, meInto Montana.Great visit with dear friendsKarin Erickson Smith and Ron Smith in Billings.Perfect cocoon of kind people, good food,Interesting conversations.On to mountains above Judith Gap.My dear sister Jill and husband Ken;Off grid, resourceful, creative, generous,Welcoming us.To “The Waters” of […]

Tour de Wyoming: Day 2

Buffalo to Ten Sleep, WY: 64 miles (My ride: 54)Monday, July 18, 2016 Beautiful morning to start day.Elizabeth and I said to each other how much we likeEarly morning riding.Cool, quiet, fresh.Had about a mile together.Elizabeth glided away,Looking totally effortless,From distance.We both knowIt did not stay effortless.Very hard day!Our three rest stopsTwelve miles apart,Wisely spaced […]

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