Day 30: 06/07/18, Wednesday, Walker to Itasca State Park

Map of today's ride:



Distance of Today's Ride: 33.1 miles

Trip Total Distance: 1990.7 miles

Elevation Gain:  705 feet

Riding Time: 2:30 hrs:mins

Today was a big day for us, as it was the last day of our ride that began in New Orleans one month earlier, on May 7th. Since then, we had ridden our bicycles on all but three days and covered 1990.7 miles. We climbed hills totaling 55,633 feet of elevation to reach the river elevation increase between New Orleans (3 feet) and the headwater elevation (1174 feet) of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park in Minnesota. That is 10.86 miles of vertical climbing to achieve a net elevation change of 1171 feet (.29 miles). No wonder we were tired on many of our riding days! For a bicycle rider, the weather between New Orleans and Minneapolis was almost perfect with warm temperatures (estimated average highs were close to 85 degrees). The 1734 miles from New Orleans to Minneapolis were without significant headwinds, and in fact, on most days, we had a wind direction that helped push us down the road. During the first 25 day phase of the ride, we were rained on only twice. Overall, we had pretty spectacular weather!  In contrast, the weather for the final four days, 256 miles, from Minneapolis to Itasca State Park, was not as nice.  We had 1.5 days of head winds up to 25 mph, and much cooler temperatures (about 58 degrees at the start of each day with highs in the 70's on three days and a high of 83 on one of the days.)

Our final day in pictures:

We left Walker, MN in the morning and immediately were back on the Paul Bunyan Trail for about 12 miles. With yesterday's 60 miles ridden on the Paul Bunyan Trail, we rode a total of 72 miles of the 123 mile long trail. There were some cracks on the trail in places, but overall, the trail was in very good riding shape. Also, since the trail is on an old railroad bed, the grades were only 1-2%, much flatter than the highways we would have ridden on.

We left the Paul Bunyan trail at Laporte, MN and rode the remaining 21 miles on Highway 200. This highway had an excellent shoulder for riding. However, being out of the trees that were in close proximity to the Paul Bunyan Trail, we did have to finish our final day's ride into another strong headwind.

The Mississippi River about 15 miles from the headwaters at Lake Itasca.

The blog authors at the east entrance to Itasca State Park.

The Mississippi River about a half mile from its headwaters.

Standing on a log "bridge" at the headwaters.

Looking across Lake Itasca with the start of the Mississippi River flowing over the rocks at its mouth.

Your blog authors standing on the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Day 29: 06/05/18, Tuesday, Baxter to Walker, Minnesota

Map of today's ride:



Distance of Today's Ride: 63.1 miles

Trip Total Distance: 1957.6 miles

Elevation Gain:  994 feet

Riding Time: 4:28 hrs:mins

Today's ride was great. The wind was from the east and did not interfere with our ride which was in a northerly direction. The sky was mainly clear and the temperature started in the high 50's and reached the mid 70's when we arrived at our destination of Walker, Minnesota.

We rode a relaxing 60 miles of the 123 mile long Paul Bunyan Trail which starts at Crow Wing State Park (Brainerd) and ends at Lake Bemidji State Park (Bemidji). It is one of the longest rail-trails in the country. The continuously paved trail follows the route of a Burlington Northern railroad line from the 1890s that was no longer used after the early 1980s.  It was an easy ride due to being very flat, along with the absence of any vehicles whizzing by while riding.  Above is a typical example of the Paul Bunyan Trail.

One of many lakes we bicycled past today, this one being a smaller body of water. Minnesota's nickname is the "Land of 10,000 Lakes", as there are 11,842 lakes in Minnesota that are over 10 acres in size.  Minnesota's portion of Lake Superior is the largest body of water in the state at 962,700 acres and deepest at 1,290 ft.

Picture taken at Hackensack, Minnesota which the sign claims is the Home of the Original Chainsaw Carving Event. The event is held over a three day weekend in late September every year and is limited to ten highly skilled invited sculptors from all over the world.  The wooden carving of Paul Bunyan, a smaller version of himself, stands watch over the trail bearing his name.

This is a sculpture of "Lucette Dianna Kensack", Paul Bunyan's Sweetheart.  Standing 17 feet tall and made of fiberglass, Lucette has watched over the town of Hackensack since 1991.  She faces town on the shores of Birch Lake.

Another one of the many pretty lakes in Northern Minnesota. Tourist season is just getting into full swing for the year.

This is the boat launch in Walker, Minnesota, located on Leech Lake. Leech Lake is the third largest in Minnesota. Leech Lake is known for offering the best Walleye fishing and Muskie fishing in the Midwest.

Here is a boat with four happy anglers fishing for walleye in front of the city of Walker, Minnesota.

Tonight we are staying on Leech Lake at Chase on the Lake.  We are enjoying cocktails in the screened in patio at one of the condos on the left side of this picture.

Day 28: Monday, 06/04/18, Clearwater to Baxter, Minnesota

Map of today's ride:



Distance of Today's Ride: 86.2 miles

Trip Total Distance: 1894.5 miles

Elevation Gain:  1490 feet

Riding Time: 6:05 hrs:mins

Today's ride was significantly different than the partial clouds and high head winds of yesterday. The day started cool, in the high 50's, but ended in the high 80's. However, more importantly, the NW wind we bicycled into today was perhaps only a fourth as strong as yesterday! It was another nice day to be on a bicycle!

This is the Beaver Island Trail that follows the route of an inactive railway that was originally part of a charter railroad of the Minneapolis and Northwestern Railway Company.  Built in 1882, the railroad line connected Minneapolis with the town of Clearwater, south of St Cloud.  Today, the Beaver Island Trails, is open in two disconnected segments.  We rode on the larger segment following the Mississippi River for a little more than 5 miles from near the St Cloud University campus.

The Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, also known as the Brooks Center, is a 5,159 seat hockey arena in St Cloud, MN.  It is home to the St Cloud State University Huskies men's and women's ice hockey teams, and the Saint John's University Johnnies ice hockey team.  In April 2013, the arena was renamed in honor of former St Cloud State, University of Minnesota and US Olympic coach Herb Brooks.

This is Charles Lindberg's boyhood home outside of Little Falls, MN.  He spent his boyhood on the Mississippi River enjoying his summers in a house built by his father on the west bank of the river south of town. The Charles Lindberg House and Museum explores the legacy of the first solo aviator to make a nonstop flight across the Atlantic from New York to Paris.

Another view of the Mississippi River north of Clearwater, Minnesota.

This seated Paul Bunyan is an 11 1/2 foot tall statue, outside the Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center (prior to entering Brainerd).  He was made in 2006 by a Minnesota artist.  There are at least 13 places in MN where you will find a Paul Bunyan statue.  He is a longstanding symbol of strength and vitality.  Paul Bunyan and his trusty sidekick, Babe the Blue Ox, are said to be responsible for Minnesota's 10,000 lakes, the Great Lakes, the Grand Canyon and other natural wonders.

We have two of the best SAG stop support staff on the final run to the Mississippi headwaters!  Today, they surprised us with Casey's pizza in addition to other treats. Thanks Cheryl/Mom and Lance!!!

Day 27: Sunday, 06/03/18, Minneapolis to Clearwater, Minnesota

Map of Today's ride:



Distance of Today's Ride: 64.9 miles

Trip Total Distance: 1808.3 miles

Elevation Gain:  2126 feet

Riding Time: 5:46 hrs:mins

We started the second phase of our ride this morning. We left Minneapolis around 9:00 am and rode the Mississippi River Trail thru the Twin Cities. The route out of the Twin Cities was fairly easy to follow as Adventure Cycling just released the route we are taking to the headwaters in electronic format around the end of April. When we left this morning, the temperature was in the mid 50's and the sky was cloudy, although it never did rain and it cleared up as the day moved forward. However, we experienced wind between 18 and 25 mph all day long, coming from the NW, exactly the direction our bicycles were headed all day. Due to the wind, we cut our riding day from 79 miles to 64.9 miles. Tomorrow morning, our personal SAG drivers will return us to the point we stopped to continue the ride.

Wayne/Dad and Mindy getting ready to start Phase 2 of our ride to the headwaters of the Mississippi River. This phase will be about 250 miles long and we are planning on taking four "easy" days to complete this section.

This was a typical MRT (Mississippi River Trail) scene as we rode through and out of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area this morning.

The further north we travel, the Mississippi River is getting narrower. Also, the boats one observes in this part of the river are all smaller recreational type boats.

We observed this monster house with private lake in its front yard about 35 miles north of Minneapolis. It's owner is a man named John Talbot. Pretty extravagant digs!

This flag shows the strength of the headwind we rode into all day today. It averaged between 18 and 25 mph and caused us to stop our ride about 15 miles earlier than planned. We will start tomorrow from the point where we stopped today.

When not on trails today, this picture is typical of the highways we traveled. This particular highway CR 75 was not busy although the freeway next to it was extremely heavily traveled.

Day 25: Friday, 06/01/18, Red Wing to Minneapolis, MN

Map of today's ride:



Distance of Today's Ride: 61.8 miles

Trip Total Distance: 1743.4 miles

Elevation Gain:  2920 feet

Riding Time: 4:19 hrs:mins

The first phase of our ride up the Mississippi River was completed today. We rode 61.8 miles from Red Wing, Minnesota, primarily in Wisconsin, until we re-crossed the border into Minnesota about 30 miles outside our motel destination near the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. The day started out at 68 degrees, cooler than any other since leaving New Orleans. It also started cloudy and we thought we might get wet, but the rain held off and it was actually sunny by the time we reached Bloomington. Wind was not a problem. This has been an amazing trip weather-wise. Although it has been very warm, wind was only a factor on the second to last day. Also, we only rode in rain two times. Pretty phenomenal bicycling weather!

Tomorrow we will take a rest day, and then Mindy and Wayne/Dad will continue the ride for another approximate 250 miles to the actual headwaters of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park in northern Minnesota.  Cheryl (Wayne's wife) and Lance (Mindy's husband) met us when we arrived at the hotel in Bloomington and will provide SAG support for us during the second phase of our ride.

On our final day, everyone wore their America by Bicycle jersey.  This is the start of our ride out of Minnesota crossing back into Wisconsin and finally ending in Minnesota.

A picture of our friends from West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, Peter and Susan.  The water in the background is the Saint Croix River which is a tributary of the Mississippi River.  It's approximately 169 miles long and is essentially the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota.  This was the location of our one and only SAG stop on our final riding day!

Doug and Kathy are from Kalamazoo, Michigan.  

Bob (left), Mindy and Melissa (right).  Bob provided the humor on our trip!  On day one, he said he just started training 3 months ago...he left us in the dust!  He is from Walnut Creek, CA.  Melissa, a support member, was the inspiration and support to get us up the hills.  In addition to her moral support and positive attitude, she will cut the crust off of PB&J sandwiches for Dad/Wayne!  

America by Bicycle riders Ernie (left), Paul (middle) and fellow rider Lon's wife (right)...

In regards to food... Paul introduced us to Whitey's Ice Cream.  It's an ice cream parlor based in Moline, IL and an icon of the Illinois and Iowa Quad cities founded in 1933.  He brought in several tubs after a dinner in Moline.

Lon's wife brought us chocolate brownies and peanut butter Krispies to our SAG stop today near the Saint Croix River...YUM!

Mike and Barb of Salem, OR and Oro Valley, AZ.  

Susan and Ward of Aurora, OH.

Dad/Wayne with his British friends... Tim (left) and Richard (right).

Pictured in order from left to right Alex, Ruth, Keith, Paula and Michael.  Alex and Paula are from Australia.  Ruth and Keith are from Clermont, FL.  This speedy team of four rode together in London/Italy.  Michael, our mechanic from the Phoenix area, is pictured on the right...minus his cape!

Lon's family and new addition (Luke the dog) are on the left.  Lon's wife is responsible for the delicious treats at our SAG stop today.  Nick (2nd from right) is also from the United Kingdom.  He and Dad enjoyed a number of ice cream treats together.  Nick also shared the special Meghan and Harry wedding pins.  Lon (right) was key to bringing in Dad/Wayne and Mindy to the hotel this afternoon.  Lon and family reside in a Hastings, MN.  He was the local so we couldn't go directionally wrong!!

Our first view of the Twin Cities... St Paul, MN!

We have arrived at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Minneapolis, MN!! Over 1700 miles completed!!!

Day 24: Thursday, 05/31/18, LaCrosse, WI to Red Wing. MN

Map of today's ride:



Distance of Today's Ride: 102.3 miles

Trip Total Distance: 1681.6 miles

Elevation Gain:  2556 feet

Riding Time: 7:01 hrs:mins

Today we had pleasant weather again with no rain and a high temperature of 85 degrees.  However, there was a negative in that for the first day in the 24 days since we left New Orleans, we had a wind out of the WNW which was exactly the direction we bicycled all day. Fortunately, the wind was not too strong which made the ride tolerable.

We rode all day in Wisconsin on the Mississippi River Road which allowed us to view the river many times throughout the day.

At the start of our ride today there were scattered clouds and some high fog. Fortunately, as the day progressed the skies cleared up and it was another beautiful day!

This is a picture of a Dairyland Power Cooperative along the Mississippi River. Dairyland Power Cooperative, an electric generation and transmission cooperative, provide wholesale electrical and related services for electric distribution cooperatives and municipal utilities in the Upper Midwest.  It owns and operates various power plants; and generates electricity through coal, natural gas, hydro, wind, landfill gas, biomass, animal waste, and solar resources.  It serves various counties in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois.  The company was founded in 1941 and is headquartered in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

A late morning view of the Mississippi River to the west looking toward Minnesota.

With the exception of the last 20 miles or so of today's ride, the road was relatively flat.  However, we did end up climbing around 2500 feet of elevation over the 102 mile ride.. There are a lot of scenic cliffs above the river road, an example can be seen in the above photo.

This picture was taken from Wisconsin toward the end of the ride today as we were getting close to Red Wing Minnesota. A very pretty territorial view.

Today at one of our SAG stops, we were able to sample a non US food product.  We have four British bikers on our trip.  Tim, from Britain, has a Marmite jersey which required explaining to many of the US bike riders.  Marmite is a British food spread.  It's made from yeast extract, a by-product of beer brewing.  Marmite is a sticky, dark brown food paste with a distinctive, powerful flavor, which is extremely salty!  This distinctive taste is reflected in the marketing slogan: "Love it or hate it."  Dad was in the later of the slogan while Mindy didn't think it was too bad... although she doesn't need her own jar!