Day 4

I cooked cornmeal pancakes with dried cranberries this morning for breakfast.  I made about three servings.  I usually eyeball how much of all the ingredients and when they cooked up, that is how much I have.  While eating the pancakes, I figured I will get tired of this breakfast relatively soon.

I left the Windswept Inn around 9:30am.  My knees didn't ache after going three miles, but my butt did.  I continue to have problems with my seat.  I suspect that the bike shorts I am wearing are the cause of the pain, but I don't have anything else to change into for cold weather. 

My mind wanders while riding.   Where did it go to?  It went into changing my plans.  I rode past Peterson, MN.  I saw a campground with several different families cooking breakfast.  Then my mind remembered that I wanted to see the US with a motorhome as home base. 

I stopped again to cook lunch.  I had trouble with the alcohol stove not keeping lit when my small pot was on it.  So I switched to my pan and then I still had to add more fuel to the stove.  The wind was starting to pick up.  The menu item was dehydrated lasagna.  I had picked up the food on sale at a store that was going out of business.  The lasagna was ok.  I think I added too much water.

While riding today, I figured out that I don't like be alone on the ride.  I probably could do the ride with someone else, but there was no one available.  I also believe that at this time, I am not ready for the long, epic ride I was planning.  I am unfit.  This ride has become tiring and not fun.  I have overestimated my abilities at my current age and fitness.  I based this trip on my abilities about 10 years or so ago.  The remaining part of the ride was me trying to figure out where to go from this conclusion. 

My pride (curse it) wants to complete the ride.  My body and emotional mind doesn't want to continue.  So far, God has been especially kind to me as I figure all these things out.  I am still wanting to go to Portland, OR.  There I can get a temporary job and rent a room.  Then I can be part of a community and still travel.  Other times, I'm not sure Portland, OR is the place to reside for now.  Madison, WI does have a great biking community, although I keep forgetting about the swarms of mosquitoes in the summer. 

I figured that if I got to Rochester, MN and rented a car, I could go back to Madison for a couple of days and then rent another car and drive to Portland.  Or I could rent a car in Rochester and just head to Portland directly. 

I arrived in Lanesboro, MN.  This is 18.9 miles from Rushford.  My butt is really aching.  I walk my bike to the visitor's center and check out the town.  This is a really busy town.  The town is the center of all the activities centered on the trail and for the surrounding towns.  I walk the bike to Rhino's Pizza and Sub Shop.  The pizza is good and the two young girls are even better.  I sat a talked with both of the girls for quite a while.  The older one is Kelly.  She is a beginning tattoo artist.  The other girl is a junior in high school, but acts older.  I told both of the girls what I was doing and what my plans have changed to.  Kelly offered me a ride to Rochester to pick up a car.  However, she couldn't do it until tomorrow, her day off.  I accepted the offer. 

After a good pizza, I went to the campground in town, Silvan Park.  The wind was cold and the promise of rain was getting stronger.  It had started to rain several times, but stopped.  I decided that I would find a room for the night.  I know, another budget busting room.  I went to Coffee Street Inn.  The front desk was unmanned so I started to leave.  The lady running the place came up and I asked for the prices.  The ground level rooms were $70.  The upstairs rooms were $55.  I showed her that I had my bike and couldn't get it upstairs.  I was about to leave when she gave me the ground level room for $55.  That I could live with.

The lady has had an interesting life.  She used to work for the US embassy in Iran for about 8 years.  She has traveled all over Europe.  She just came from Colorado and running a B&B.  She said she has been working at the Inn for a month.  She picked the Inn sight unseen and will be working here for the time being.  This is a lady I really like.  No I didn't get her name.  We continued to talk about Europe and other things, like I could even get a room for a couple of hundred of dollars and pick up some part time work around this area.  I told her that I would have to think about where I really want to settle for now. 

I'm in a really nice room.  I've had my shower and updated my journal and blog.  Now the rain has begun.  This time it hasn't stopped.  Radar shows that this will go on for several hours if not all night.  The TV doesn't have really good cable, but that is ok.  I will be pondering all the things God has brought to mind.  Maybe I'll even knit.

Where do I go from here, I don't know.  I just know that my epic bike trip has come to an end (for now).  I'm not sure when I will start it up again, if I do.  Life goes on and God still has a lot to clean out of me. 

Day 3

This day was a rest day in Rushford, MN.  My knees ceased hurting and I finally warmed up.  I spent the entire time glued to the TV.  Now I remember why I don't watch TV, especially cable.  I watched HGTV, the travel channel and animal planet.  The weather channel was only fourth on the list.  Not a good way to spend the day.

Day 2

Day 2 started off with a lot of knee pain. I stayed at the hotel till almost 11 am.  Why?  To watch the forecast and plan the day.  The planning was easy.  The forecast was rain on Saturday with possible snow on Sunday morning.  With my painful knees, I didn't want them subjected to cold temperatures.  I was debating on staying at the hotel for the next couple of days.  The cost would be considerable.  So after looking at the trail map, I figured I could ride the next 13 miles of the trail to Rushford.  The morning temperatures are in the 40s. 

I packed up the bike and rolled out of the hotel.  I slowly made my way along the trail.  It is a beautiful trail.  Tree covered and quiet.  The sky was overcast.  I stop every couple of miles due to my knee pain.  I also feel a slower pace take over.  There is no rush.  It would be a great trail to ride for fun and not travel.

At the halfway point to my goal, I stop at a picnic area to eat.  No, I haven't eaten breakfast.  I have things to cook, but nothing instant.  My brunch consists of cornmeal pancakes with dried cranberries, tuna with mayo, and an apple-blueberry puree.  I cook over my alcohol stove.  It works perfectly.  I actually added the exact amount of fuel to cook the pancakes. 

The picnic area is quiet except for the birds, light wind, and some flies.  There are butterflies everywhere.  I can't get a picture because they move so frequently. 

After some introspection, I come to realize that I probably will not backpack by myself again.  I really don't like the solitude.  It is interesting to me that I want companionship, yet I take this long trip on my own.  I had thought about it while planning the trip, but I figured this was the way to do it.  Now I am not too sure.  If I was to stop the trip now, I have no place to live and no car.  So I continue.  I don't know what I want to do next.

I stop more frequently due to knee pain.  Another stop included stop at a bend in the river.  Almost in the center of the photo you can see and eagle flying towards the camera.  There were actually three eagles here.  Two adults and a juvenile.  They were beautiful to watch. 

Just before three pm, I made it to Rushford.  This is a quiet town with travelers that come to hunt.  I have ridden 14.27 miles.  I get directions from a lady at the trail/train depot station where the above sign is located.   I ride to Windswept Inn. 

Not much to look at, but at $42 a night, a good deal.  I book two nights.  The lady who checked me in was really nice to talk to.  My room is the open door.  I sit outside on the chairs to relax.  I watch the high school kids walk home.  The lady who checked me in said that prom night was tomorrow and I may see kids walking to the high school in prom outfits, weather permitting. 

I take a walk to downtown (4 blocks) to get something to eat.  I stop at Shawnee's Bar and Grill.  I have the chipolte burger.  It was great.  I left the bar at 5 pm as it was filling up.  I slowly walk back to the room.  Slowly, because my knees still hurt and I am tired. 

I turn on the TV and watch the weather channel and other shows for the rest of the night.

1st Day Long Day Part 2

OK, the next day.  I've had some sleep.  My sleep was disturbed by lots of pain all over my body.

Yesterday, started out arriving at Sparta, WI around 9:30 am.  There was an older lady that dad was able to talk to.  I think he enjoyed that.  I unloaded the car and loaded up the bike. 



The load is lighter than the first day.

I started on the La Crosse River Trail by approximately 9:38 am.  The riding was slow due to high crosswinds and sometimes headwinds.  I changed to closed fingered gloves and wool socks due to the chill in the wind.  I arrived in La Crosse, WI around 3 pm.  Much, much later than I thought.  I finally ate lunch at Burger King.  Since I thought I would arrive earlier, I delayed lunch.  I also didn't have any lunch makings.  I will have to rethink this problem. 

Here are some of the sights I saw on the trail.

After lunch/dinner at La Crosse, I crossed over the Mississippi River.  It really is a brown river. 

My dad was worried about the incline of the bridge.  This was the wrong incline to worry about.  After crossing the bridge, I encountered hills that caused me to walk for long times.  They were brutal, especially, since my knees and thighs hurt constantly. 

My day ended in Houston, MN on the east end of Root River State Trail off of Highway 16.  I actually rode in a truck the last 2 miles.  How?  Walking up, apparently the last hill, I flagged down a truck.  I asked the driver, Mark, how far Houston was and if there was any place to stay, like a hotel.  He said that I was only 2 miles away and there was a hotel.  He then asked if I would like a ride.  I accepted.  I was too exhausted to do the last two miles.  Mark was a nice young man who drove a nice red truck. 

I arrived in style in Houston, MN.  The hotel is Sawmill Inn.  The rooms cost $60.  This was more than I asked God for.  I specifically asked God for a motel that had internet and was around $30.  He provided for about 1/2 of what I asked.  

Janice checked me in and didn't blink twice about my bike.  In fact, she helped me wheel the beast into the room.  She told me a story about two guys who walked from CA to NY. 

After saying goodbye, I slowly and painfully showered and washed my clothes, lubed up my body with ointment, and took pain pills.  I slept fitfully.  My muscles froze up several times, so turning over created new pain as muscles stretched. 

My new prayer request is for some where to sleep each night.  I was really worried the last few hours of daylight.  I really didn't want to sleep on the side of the road while I knew I would be in serious pain from my first day of riding.  I constantly was bugging God asking for a place to stay.  I wanted to rest but I also didn't want to miss God's blessing either.  He did provide with a safe ride and a clean, quiet place to stay. 

1st day Long day Part 1

This will be a short post about the 1st day.  I hurt and I'm exhausted.  Not just any tired or hurt, think crying due to the pain and exhaustion.  Yes, I asked God to provide a place to stay.  I was even specific.  I held on as long as I could however, I did come to the end of my energy.  I hitched a 2 mile ride into Houston, MN.  The driver's name was Mark, driving a real nice red truck.  Very comfortable.  He even told me there was a hotel in Houston.  The price was more than I asked God for it to be, but I will be able to rest comfortably and clean.  The next couple of days will be working through all the muscles that hurts.  Unfortunately, it is every muscle.  I thought moving furniture and boxes were hard, HA!  Moving was easy peasy compared to today. 

I rode 45.47 miles, according to my odometer, from Sparta, WI to almost Houston, MN.  I will post more after I have rested.

Try Try Again

The night before I leave, again.  I have a different feeling tonight as opposed to the other night before I left.  Tonight, I have a stronger sense of needing to go.  I probably can attribute some of this to watching cable TV, especially the travel channel and other fun channels. 

I also went online with google maps and was reviewing potential paths to take.  I realized I really wanted to be on the adventure and not just planning it.  I will take this as a good sign that I am ready to leave.  Also while reviewing the maps, I received strong sense that Oregon is the state to live in.  Granted, I am not ready to stop traveling, especially since I haven't even started yet, but Oregon keeps drawing my attention.  I guess the next phase would be figuring out where in Oregon.  That can wait until I get there.

Denise, my sister, said it well; that after the first two weeks everything will be fine.  I agree.  The first two weeks will be getting all sorted out with the gear and creating many new routines.  It will be getting over the initial knee and butt pains. 

My first obstacle will be to learn to deal with will be cold and rain.  I am starting out at the end of April and I have to deal with cold and rain?!?!?  Where is spring, let alone summer?  Another obstacle will be to learn to fuel my body properly.  I don't like to cook.  I'm not that creative and I have food issues.  Hmmm, I wonder if God will be dealing with the food issues as well.   Sigh. Another problem to uncover and fix.  Becoming holy is discouraging work.  Thankfully, I don't have to fix it myself.  I just have to go through God's clean up (hard) and healing (long).  I wonder how much He can fix in 3 months??  Maybe I don't want to know. 

I should have photos of me and my bike, groaning under the weight of all the things I think I can't live without.  After I start, I don't know when I'll be posting again, so please be patient with me as everything gets figured out. 

Still in Madison

I bet you are wondering when is she getting on her bike and starting her ride! 

Well, Monday, April 23rd, I loaded all my bags and bike in the car and drove with my dad to La Crosse, WI.  We left Madison just before 10 am and drive the two hours.  After stopping for lunch and visiting a bike shop for a map to cross the Mississippi River, we stopped the car and I loaded up the bike. 

The entire week leading up to this day, I was really worried about overloading the bike.  Well, the worry was justified.  After loading the bike, I got on the bike and road it to the end of the sidewalk.  The bike was slow and sluggish and handled the same way.  My worry ratcheted up significantly.  My dad even commented that the bike looked over loaded. 

I decided that I would return to Madison and re-evaluate all my gear.  My decision not to start was probably a good one.  I felt a lot better going back and re-starting on a later day.  I still have the feeling that I failed.  This may be an attack by Satan's minions to discourage me.  On the drive back to Madison, I had to continuously remind myself that I did not fail, I will just start another day.

Today, I went through all my stuff again.  This time, I kept the mind set that a bike ride from Madison through the Pacific Northwest and then down to Orange, CA where my brother and his family live would be approximately 3,650 miles.  At 10 mph and 6 hours a day riding amounts to 60 days of bike riding, not counting rest days.  This time frame is half the time I've budgeted for. 

So, I  reviewed all my stuff from the standpoint of a two plus month journey and that I can resupply almost anything in many places.  I went through my books, knitting, sleeping kit, and everything else.  I took out quite a few things, but not as much as I expected.  It is amazing the amount of little things that one packs that increase both the weight and bulk. 

I believe I have reduced the weight and bulk of the stuff carried by the bike enough to start the ride.  I strapped everything on and took it out for a test spin.  Actually, I did this several times.  The last time, I was almost able to reach 10 mph on a relatively flat street.  The bike didn't feel too sluggish and rode smoothly. 

Now the plan is to leave early in the morning to get an almost full day ride.  However, God has other plans.  What are they??  Rain and thunderstorms over the entire state of Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota.  Of course, there is rain in the forecast every couple of days over the northern states.  I guess I missed my clear weather window of opportunity.  I really don't want to start the trip in the rain because I will be figuring too many things out to add rain gear and wet, albeit warm, weather.  So, I will be staying in Madison for another day (between storms). If God allows, I will leave on Thursday and then continue to riding through subsequent storms.