Cactus Flower Tales: Worthington to Albert Lea, MN

Stats

Craig & Vikki
Mileage - 120 miles
Climbing - 1,400 feet

Today was favorable. We left at 7:37, 2 minutes after the 'official' depart time. A word on the depart time, if it says depart between 6:00-6:30, if you show up at 6:40 - you are pretty much the last person to leave. It's hysterical, unless you are one of the slower riders, every 5 minute you start behind is about a mile and a half. Now, back to the favorable day today. Craig and I left and tooled along at a good pace, the winds were great offering a tailwind. At about mile 19 a group of riders, Mary (FL), Lisa (FL), Rob (WA), Tall Paul (NC), Grant (?), Lon (WI - Yes the legend) and Robert (NC), came up behind us and where back about 3 bike lengths for a bit, then as they came up they invited us to join the peloton. Since I was feeling pretty good, I thought why not? We had 30 miles to the first stop, we averaged about 23-24mph, we were there fast! It was awesome! We had so much fun with the group, faster and even some singing! We wound up riding the entire day with this group, so we got in early enough to actually get some extra things done.

We were able to get our laundry done AND sit in the hot tub and pool! It was just what we needed after a few days of long miles! Hot jets on all the right muscles!!

I forgot to mention a moment I saw while riding in Wyoming. I was riding by myself and a large budget rental truck was coming down the road towards me. As they got closer I could see the driver, she was alone, with mirrored aviator sunglasses, a navy blue bandana as a headband, a look of sheer determination on her face and hooked to the back of the truck ---- a VW Beetle convertible!!! All I could think was, "You go, Girl! Good luck to you and all the plans and dreams you have ahead of you!" She obviously was moving out West somewhere.

Leaving Worthington, with the fast kids.

Craig riding towards the windmills - there are many of them here

I had a call from Club Pet, so we stopped and of course had to get a selfie with the windmill, it is enormous. (BTW, Boz was fine, they had a question about his bed.)

A spot I found along the way. ;-)

The group we were riding with, as you can see there were a lot of clouds, no rain TG! Unlike yesterday where we dodged two lightening storms! Freak-out!

This is the saddle I'm using from PAC, it is a leather Brooks, one that both Lon Haldeman and Susan Notorangelo rode this seat. I've said they are Cycling Legends, but even more than that they are amazing human beings, doing something they love and contributing emmensely to society! So, the saddle has really helped to take the pressure off of my saddles sores and help me heal up a bit. Although, poor Craig has had to wear double shorts today and probably tomorrow. The things we do, I tell ya!! If you look at the back of my saddle bag, you will see my skeleton dude, FDR hanging from my nameplate. I love riding and as I'm climbing and looking down I can see the shadow of his little feet dangling. I found him in Howell, MI. on a bike ride as we crossed Main St. FDR - Found Dead on Road. Hee-hee!

This is Alice, the owner of an old historic gas station near Blue Earth, MN, it's been in her family since the 1970's (Great Decade!). She had all kinds of stuff in the shop and it was very homey. PAC bought all the riders ice cream here, so we ate our ice cream and sat and chatted with her. This is Lisa, Vikki, Mary and Alice. Lisa said it was like having a visit in her Aunt Edna's kitchen.