This is a long one, since I'm trying to catch up from Friday and today, Saturday.
Albert Lea, MN to La Crosse, WI
As I mentioned, this was an absolutely fabulous day with 140 miles and 2,000 feet of climbing for both of us on a glorious Friday! We rode two stints on the rail to trails, one 12 miles and the other 42 miles. The latter, sheltered us from the changing winds too! We left MN, the "Heart of the Prairie" as one town touted and entered WI, the land of dairy and beer. Here are some pictures from Friday:
Breakfast in the hotel not out at the trailer
The first stint on the trail
Look at these gorgeous babies! There is a Palomino towards the left, she reminded me of my Honey Bee. She was my 4-H winner and a great horse too!
Climb on, with my Michigan Mountain Mayhem jersey
Getting ready to make a left - tractor working the field and amazing stretches of corn fields
Along the second section of rail to trails, Army tank at mile 77.7
Along the trail, we tracked the river a good part of it
Log cabin hut
Old steel railroad bridge
Watson Creek Bridge
Limestone Bluffs at mile 83.6
Bridge over Root River
Little shop in Downtown Lanesboro
Happy Bike, Happy Life! haha!!
Just by our lunch stop, I wanted to go in and browse so bad!!!
A cool old barn for my 2010 NTC roomie, Michelle - she loves barns
Entering our Fifth State!
Fifth!
Crossing over the Mississippi River!!!!
Robert (CT) and Craig as we begin to cross the river
Route for Friday
Our kick butt room! We stayed right on the Mississippi River at the Courtyard Marriott! There was also a small table in the back corner, We could have had people over for a game of euchre! Too bad we didn't get to stay an extra day, La Crosse was as super cute town and we would have loved to take a river boat cruise!
I needed a glass of Brancott sauvignon blanc - but alas, it wasn't in the cards!
My new ride! Haha!! Actually, one of the guys on the Tour has two as well as another luxury vehicle....well, well, well...if only we all were so lucky, eh?
There is NO full in sushi! My dinner.
Mural in La Crosse, WI
For Today, Saturday:
La Crosse to Portage, WI (Sat, 28 July)
Today we had perfect weather, 70s and very little wind.
Craig
Mileage - 130.8 miles
Climbing - 3,900 feet
Vikki
Mileage - 105.9 miles
Climbing - 2,900 feet
Well, we had two 'Oopsie!" moments today that added 4 miles for Craig and 7.5 miles for me. We missed turns and wound up adding mileage until we could figure out how to get back on track.
We do call it this sometimes, since we are constantly on the move.
We just started out, about 2 miles in and then we have a 4.5 mile climb at 8%
"Just put one foot in front of the other" - Winter and Kris from Santa Claus is Coming to town (or pedal), this is a 'rest' at 5% climbing
I am in the bike lane!
I did have to laugh when I got to the top of the climb to see Junction "FA", all I could think was F'n A!
At the top, you could look out at the misty morning!
I just had to stop at a scenic overlook - to see the "Coulee Region" below
Then a group passed me.....
The topography was amazing!
We had a stop at a church and this was the attached cemetery, so peaceful!
Some beauties working the field.
I had a 'bump' up in the red truck and we came across Susan and Lon - so cool that they are able to ride together once in awhile. They work so hard to make sure everything is running smoothly!
The Land of Dairy!!
John being silly at the "kids" table
Another 'middle of nowhere' area - with the dismal swamp all around....i wondered what kind of birds would be migrating through here.
This is when I got lost was just after i took this picture....
Back on track and crossing the Wisconsin River
The last stop. Imagine this groups surprise as they saw us come up behind them. Yes, Craig read the route card the same as I did but didn't go as far down the road before turning around. This is what the stops are like, with ice, ice water, hammer nutrition, snacks, fresh fruit, sodas and other accouterments.
hmmmm.....a little bit of everything
Craig walking his bike and way at the end two other riders
Cool old silo in the corn field
An awesome old yellow gold barn for Michelle!
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