Half-Way Point

51 mile day: Started in Winner S.D.
Elevation 1,969 ft.

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Hello My Friends,

Elevation dropping,
Hills persist.

Riding in three segments today,
Coupled with good conditions,
Helped me get to 51 miles.

Rode straight out of motel,
Heading east.
Wide shoulders, wind at back.
Bob joined me two sections of ride.

Today's ride crossed Missouri River.
Approaching one of tributary valleys,
Swooping, 8% grade downhill.

Fast downhill NOT my favorite.
Descended at record SLOW speed.
Hooray for excellent disc brakes.

Up other side 6% for one mile.
Lots of chance for me to practice
Focusing on some object
To the side, some distance ahead.

That works for me.
Plus talking out loud,
Encouraging me, cheering me
On to complete each
Short, on-the-side partial-goal.

That's going to be an
Off-bike "keeper" for me.
"A bit of progress?"
"Hooray and Hooray!”

Top of that 6% climb,
Bob had parked.
SAG reminded me that
Swoops and climbs would be terrain
To reach Missouri River,
Then ascend other side.

Enough downhill braking,
Uphill sweating for that stretch!
I was happy to put bike on car,
Ride across Missouri River in auto.

It's impressive ... that river.

I'm just over half way now.
One-day-at-a-time.
Glad to be in motel, off-bike,
Finished riding for this "one-day".

Hugs to each of you,
Lin

Limerick:

Approaching big rivers is hilly,
Some riders find downhill quite thrilly.
I go down with brakes,
Do all that it takes,
Descending so slow that it's silly.

Someone lived and dreamed here, once

Bridge over Missouri River. Heavy skies today but no rain.

I keep crossing this river this trip (first time on this bridge!)

Different kinds of bikers!

Steep descent ahead. Not my favorite!

Overlooking tributary valley after 6% grade ride uphill. Beat!

Tired after pedaling up from valley behind me

Bob setting up lunch east side of Missouri River

When biking, those calories are a necesstiy!

So good! So hungry!

A smooch is a gymnastic exercise when wearing head gear and glasses!

Lin Bruce

Lin McLaughlin Bruce uses stories of her cross-country bicycle adventures post age 60 to inspire and encourage people to reach beyond perceived limitations. In her words, "It's never too late to say 'yes' to bigger things!"

Naurine - September 9, 2019

Lin – I am surely with you on going very carefully down hill. I think of the “mountain/fell” in England last spring. Gravel, hairpin curving path down with each turn right at the edge. I was SO careful and SO slow!! And I didn’t fall.
What a trip!
DJJD parade was cold and windy- but no rain. People on the Norwegian floats were most comfortable in their sweaters & knitted hats. Sellers of water & sodas going broke. 🤣
Best wishes for second half. Naurine

Lin Bruce - September 9, 2019

Thanks, Naurine! What a vivid picture you paint of harrying path. Jesse James Days weather certainly can vary. I recall years of heat, as well. Thank you for well wishes!