4

Minding Your Energy

Thursday, May 23, 2024
Day 5 Mankato to Madison Ride

When you ride a trail with directions,
Expecting the signs as reflections,
Of where you will go,
And then it's not so,
You're likely to have some objections.

Rochester, MN  -> Lanesboro, MN
I rode 39 mi.  Others 43

Bikes ready for a.m. departure

Are you minding your energy?

Departing Rochester, riding in chaotic downtown,
I thought of bike couriers—
Must be constantly nerve racking.
Much traffic from all directions.

Rochester’s nice trails sometimes
Lack signage clear enough
To let out-of-town folks
Know where they are and where to go.

Margaret, Hope, John, and I
Rode together through trail "options.”
They were skilled and clever,
Figuring out our route.
How appreciative I am!

Trail-side cattle operation

Out on roads we had clear signposts,
Good shoulders, safe riding.

I was draggy, low energy, much of day.
At lunch stop, which was at about mile 30,
(or so it seemed to me),
I asked Ken to put my bike and me
Into van for five mile trip to
Fountain, MN end of Root River Trail.

Dramatic rock formation along Root River Trail

Root River Trail shelter structure. Mostly used in winter, cross country skiers.

Excellent choice for me.
I got on trail for eleven mi ride to Lanesboro.
On the Fountain end, Trail starts with lengthy
Down-hill coasting.

I coasted slowly, delighted to be
Riding traffic free, calm, straight-forward
Bike Trail was exactly best way to end
Ride day.

Today was good,

A reminder to be aware of
My varying stamina.

Here’s to minding your energy!

Glad to be here riding.

Hugs,
Lin

My room for tonight with Margaret. Charming and wishfully lacking lights.

Chatfield, MN home. WOW!

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!"

Barbara - May 24, 2024

Hi Lin,
I’m enjoying your trip vicariously… thanks for the delightful daily reports. So fun to be along for the ride. And, you are the most photogenic woman!!

Sending you love and wind at your back.

Hugs,
Barb

    Lin Bruce - May 24, 2024

    Thanks for “riding along,” Barbara—and for the kind compliment. <3

Leslie Schultz - May 24, 2024

Dear Lin,

This is true wisdom. I like to think of you rested and coasting into Lanesboro.

Love, Leslie

    Lin Bruce - May 24, 2024

    Thank you, Leslie! Funny how it sometimes doesn’t seem like wisdom until someone else says it is! 🙂

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