Sisters To St. Paul
Day 15

 

Date: August 8, 2005

Route: Bena to Jacobson

Distance: 83 miles

Ride Time: 5h 50 m

Elevation Climbed: 800’

Weather: 75 degrees at 7:00AM, 98 degrees at noon. Strong headwind from the south.

Log

We said good bye to Lake Itasca and the Headwaters of the Mississippi. On our way to the start of my day’s route, we paused in Bimidji so I could do some ox-whispering and Jon could have word with Paul.

 

 

Jon left me at the big fish on Hwy 2 at 8:15AM. We made plans to meet at 4:00PM somewhere on the road. The signs for the Great River Road are very easy to follow and they are in just the right places. I also have a text that I carry, but I seldom refer to it. I found all this information on the internet and am very pleased that it is so well done. My only complaint is the mileage estimates. They have been off by 20+ miles, which is a long way on a bike at the end of the day. I’m so glad I have my own personal SAG wagon.

II was thinking I would get at least to Hill City, which looked about 80 miles away. Everything started out perfectly: smooth road, no wind, pleasant temperature, and light traffic. In the first hour I had put 18 miles behind me. Then the wind came up, and the road turned to the south, and my speed dropped considerably. Oh, well. The Mississippi continued to grow wider at every crossing.

Jon has been telling me for years, and unequivocally promised that Minnesota would be flat. Here’s the proof that it is NOT! While these hills don’t rival the Cascades or the Tetons, the wind and the rough road made them tough. Look far in the distance and you can see another roller. There was one after that as well.

A detour took me off the River Road and added about 10 miles to my route. At Grand Rapids I had already pedaled 60 miles and I knew I had at least 30 more to get to Hill City. I was feeling overheated just as I passed the hospital. I decided I needed a rest stop in the air-conditioned waiting room to cool off and hydrate. I felt much better after my break. I checked the temperature reading on my cyclometer, and it said 98 degrees. Well, that explained it! On the way out of Grand Rapids I had to laugh and take this shot. Wait, there’s more.

For the first time on this trip, I found myself in a designated bike lane. As opposed to the mile of gravel or the nine miles of chewed up shoulder on the busy 4-lane highway into Grand Rapids that I cycled on this morning, this was the best road I have ever been on. For the next 20 miles I enjoyed a lane that was 6’ wide with NO cracks. Not only that, but the trees provided wind and sun protection. I stopped to take this picture when Jon caught up with me. Even though I was still far from Hill City, I was glad to see him, and ready climb aboard, cool off, and have a drink.