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MN Mini-Tour: Day 10

Zumbrota to Northfield, MN: 39 milesFriday, September 30, 2016 Hi Honeys!We’re home.We’ve made the loop:Out our garage and back to garage,Three hundred forty-nine milesAccording to Bob’s odometer.Bob said last night as we thought ofToday as last day of this ride—”Sad it’s the last day,Glad it’s the last day.”There has been some satisfying challengeIn being our […]

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MN Mini-Tour: Day 9

Rochester to Zumbrota, MN: 35 milesThursday, September 29, 2016 Day has gone from grey to bright sunshine.Even with good city bike trail map,We got lost on edge of Rochester.We wereTrying to make our way to start of Douglas Trail,A nice thirteen mile rail trail.Bob did a great job figuring probableReconnect path.We encountered just right woman,Running […]

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MN Mini-Tour: Day 8

Preston to Rochester, MN: 37 milesWednesday, September 28, 2016 I was thinking this morningThat I didn’t mention the reallyGreat thing about yesterday’s ride.Trail meant we got to ride side by side.Didn’t talk much,Just enjoyed being together on trail.Often I find that I don’t noticeSome good thingUntil it is not there.Then I realize how muchIt adds […]

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MN Mini-Tour: Day 7

Rushford to Preston, MN: 31 miles—all on the Root River Trail!Tuesday, September 27, 2016 Much better ride today.Rode Root River Trail.With its sheltering vegetation,Wind seldom difficult.Breakfast waitress told us,”My family rode trail yesterday.”We did, too,Even though sign said “trail closed.”One spot of buckled trail surface,Now filled with dirt, gravel,Gave us place to walk bike through.Outside […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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MN Mini-Tour: Day 4

Rose Petal Trail Head outside Austin, MN to LeRoy, MN: 21 milesSaturday, September 24, 2016 Just the right length for today’s ride.Out of Austin with our bikes on back ofFred’s van. Covering those miles,Tricky instructionsVia local motor,Very helpful.Funny story Fred told:That back-up camera on vanDoesn’t like bike rack.When van backs upWith rack on rear,Warning system […]

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MN Mini-Tour: Day 3

Kasson to Austin, MN: 37 milesFriday, September 23, 2016 Trip started with ten miles ofHeavy mist.Visibility was getting low.Each of us is easy to see as we ride—Good lights on back of bikes,High-viz color raincoats.Bright front light on my bike,Blinking red light attached to my helmet.Still it was a reliefWhen back on road after snack […]

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MN Mini-Tour: Day 2

Kenyon to Kasson, MN: 27 milesThursday, Sept. 22, 2016*Delayed transmission of photos means you get some of yesterday’s in today’s post. ​This has been another perfect length day.During Kenyon night,We heard much rain,Saw bright lightning,Heard loud thunder.This morning, rain continued.As it diminished we dressed in rain gear,Packed panniers and loaded bikes.Having our funny hotel window […]

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MN Mini-Tour: Day 1

Northfield, MN to Kenyon, MN—21 MilesWednesday, September 21, 2016 Yep, that is the first day’s distance on this new adventure.I’ve been embarrassed to tell folksHow short many of our ride days are.Do short days really count?(Answer: Of course they do! Anything counts. Hear that, Lin?)Today’s destination twenty one milesTo Kenyon.Plenty and just right match for […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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