Thursday, July 20, 2017
Start: Rochester, Minnesota
End: La Crosse, Wisconsin
Mileage today/cumulative: 87 / 2,357
Elevation Ascended: 2,661′
Weather: Partly cloudy, 69° at start; sunny, 87° at finish
3D Relive Video (approx. 1 minute)
We are officially in the East! The last few miles of today’s ride included crossing the Wisconsin state line and riding over the Mississippi River. For some reason, the Mississippi is the demarcation between east and west even though we’re still in the Central Time Zone and we’re still in the Midwest. Go figure.
Minnesota sent us out on a positive note today with a couple of real climbs, nicer roads, and a slight change of scenery. There was still corn and soy as far as you could see, then kale and broccoli appeared out of nowhere. WOOHOO!!! After seeing nothing but corn and soy for days, it doesn’t take much to get us excited.
We were clearly in Scandinavian country with bakeries prominently featured in each town we rode through. In fact, our route featured ten miles on a bike path that ended at bakery/coffee shop. We devoured a couple of strawberry-cream cheese pastries that were memorable. Minnesota farmers also have a sense of humor. One of them painted a sign that read “We hope you enjoy our dairy air.” Nordic humor is an acquired thing.
I’d also be remiss if I didn’t give a big Happy Birthday shoutout to my Mom, who has always encouraged me to live a full and rich life by being curious and adventurous. I would never be doing something like this if not for her.
Love the daily updates. What a memory of a lifetime!
❤
Thanks kiddo for the heartfelt message to me as you ride along. I had a great birthday and it could only have been better if you and Bev had joined us. Supporting you every day and mile as the Pea Team travels on!!
Who are these kale, quinoa, super-food eating people? They are eating their way across the country, with the latest being strawberry cream cheese pastries. Oh my, what I wouldn’t give to see you eat cake or its equivalent, every day, Bev. 😉
I’m from Minnesota ! Dairy air😃
Yummy cheese curd, you betcha. Ride safely tomorrow.
Hmmmmmm, not sure Lena and Ole wore sunglasses……..? Either way, glad you enjoyed some Swedish baked goods, YUM!!
Have either of you two lost weight during this cross country journey? I always do during my backpack trips but this long distance cycling stuff seems a bit more strenuous!
We’ve both lost some weight – probably not a lot though. Thinner waists, bigger legs. Helmet chin straps had to be tightened up. Our diet is terrible just trying to consume calories in culinary wastelands.