Thursday, July 17, 2014

BIG RIDE July 13 - July 17 Summary


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.


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.

University of Wisconsin and Bucky the Badger



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