Day Destination Arrival Depart Mile
28 Owatonna
MN 13-July 14-July 72
A fast day on the BIG RIDE. We departed MLC at 6 am and the
day was exceptional for cycling. Cathy
stayed back with Anita to mentor her and I rode up front with the guys. We set a new record at an average of 17.3 mph
and was in camp at 10: 45 am completing the 73 mile day with ease. Not much scenery and the roads were cracked but the last 12 miles was very fast ,
helped with a tailwind and breakfast. We
are camped in the Owatonna Fairgrounds and have dinner at a Mexican Restaurant and breakfast at the Hy
Vee supermarket chain. Temperatures are
cool in the low 70’s and a nice breeze.
We have been quite lucky with the weather.
29 Winona MN 14-July
15-July 90
Another fast day with great tailwinds and nice weather
. Completed the ride with an average of
18.6 mph and arrived at Windona State University at 11 30 am. What a ride!
Celebrated with summer shandy fries and a cheese burger before dinner.
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| German Architecture |
30 Viroqua WI 15-July 16-July
66
Wow .. day 30, a month on the road. Today started in Winona at the cafeteria and
crossed the Mississippi River into Wisconsin, our 7th state. Posed for the group photo and had a special
checkpoint at the Meyers farm who have a long association with the BIG
RIDE. What a nice reception , photos ,
interview and alumni books. We started to hit some hills and green grass and
corn. The area looks a bit like
Pennsylvania. We are staying in a
fairground tonight and lucked out with some indoor space. Tomorrow is a century so no beer tonight but
it is a rest day coming up.
31 Madison WI 16-July
18-July 100
A century day, breakfast in camp at the fairgrounds after a
cold and humid night in the barn. The
usual of coffee , fruit frosted mini-wheat’s.
Usually try and find a Starbucks double-shot , and a Gatorade to help
start the morning. Today’s ride started
with 25 miles through rural Wisconsin and some beautiful farms and
valleys. The weather is great with temps
in the 50’s in the morning and going to mid-70’s in the day. The middle 50 miles was on route 14 which is
flat and some nice shoulders to keep the pace high. The final 25 miles were hills and Madison WI
urban area. Upon arrival at University
Wisconsin, we entered an excellent college environment. The rooms are really nice with sheets, towels,
TV, laundry facilities, coffee in the morning and friendly staff. After the usual shower and clean-up we headed
to the Student Union located on the water with beer, brats and plenty of
seating to enjoy it all. Dinner was
fabulous at the dining services hall.
Slept all night in a quiet room with air conditioning and TV.
32* Madison WI
Today is a rest day and time to relax. University of Wisconsin gets it right with
free coffee always available, tv with the tour de France in your room, free
internet, just like a hotel. Did the
laundry, bike wash and blog thing and then a special tour of TREK’s
headquarters in Waterloo Wisconsin and we saw a 10 lb bike. Pretty cool.
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| University of Wisconsin and Bucky the Badger |
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