My final thoughts

It's been a couple days since I finished my ride.  Yesterday was tough, I'm not going to lie.  I didn't know if I was going to make it through. :)  Ok, that may be an exaggeration.  Looking back though, I would say that it was a great experience for me.  Even with the cruddy weather I would do it again.  It challenged me like I've never been before.  That's exactly what I was looking for.  I've come a long way since I began cycling and I wanted to see if my hard work paid off.  They say you're not a serious cyclist until you've done a century (100 miles).  Well, I guess nobody can say I'm not a serious cyclist, and I did mine with 100 lbs of gear.  I would like to do another without all of the gear and see how fast I could finish.  That would definitely be easier.  Maybe next year.

Thanks for following my blog and for cheering me on along the way.  It was fun and I appreciate it!

Done!

113 miles is the total for the day. That was by far the most difficult thing I've ever done. Physically and mentally. Thanks for all the well wishes. I'll post a final post tomorrow and look back on my first bike tour.

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The world's 2nd largest ball of twine

This was once the world's largest ball. To me it looks like heaven cuz I only have 12 more miles to go.

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Coming close

I'm 90 miles in. That's 35 miles further than I've ever gone. My toes are killing me. Not sure why. I'm hurtin' but its a done deal now.

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Horseshoe Lake chain

I'm just passing by the beautiful Horseshoe Lake chain. Lots of great memories were made here as a child. Love you Helen and Milton!

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One of my favorite memories

Me and Dad and Milton were on our way to Richmond (probably for beer) and we drove past this spot and a kid was realing in a fish. Milton rolls down his window and yells out "stick with him" then laughs in his raspy, barely breathing laugh.

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50 miles so far

Almost halfway home. I'm feeling good but my back is getting sore. Time to pop some ibuprofen and eat a sub. I need to keep moving to make it home in time.

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Hitchhiker

not any more.:)

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Lake Wobegon Trail.

Flat and windy again.

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Sunshine

You light up my life. You give me hope, to carry on.

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Day 3

Time to rise and shine. I have to get an early start if I want to make 110 miles and be home for Cole's race tonight. It sounds like the weather will be much better today so I'm looking to make good time. This will double my longest ride and with 100 lbs of gear, it'll be a challenge.

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Time to reflect

Sitting in my quiet cabin, rain coming down. Seems like the start of a novel. While I was riding the last 2 days lots of things have been coming and going through my thoughts. It's really amazing what comes to mind when its just you and your thoughts for hours and hours a day. My thoughts immediately started with those that I love, my beautiful wife and family. Over the last day they've shifted more to me. I know that sounds very selfish but it's not like that. This year has been so great for me. It makes me proud when I think about what I've been able to do. I've always been one to jump into something head first and get obsessed with it. That's no surprise to most that will read this. This year I've done it again but with something that's good for me. It just feels good. I hope I can maintain this obsession forever.

As I ride along and think about what I've accomplished, I can't help but think about Penny, who has been very inspiring me. Who would have thought that she would be doing triathlons? That's amazing. Or Jeri, my beautiful, perfect wife, who has been running her ass off, literally. Or my Dad, who, at almost 60 rode his first 20 miles on his bike this past weekend. A year ago, he would have never considered doing that. Or, possibly, the most important thing to come from this is that my sister told me she was proud of me. A sister that I really didn't think cared enough to pay attention to what I was doing. It means a lot and I'm sorry that its easier for me to say that from a hundred miles away. I think we are similar in that way.

I love you all very much and thank you to all of you that have been sending me messages of encouragement.

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My 2nd destination

Well, I made it to my destination for today. Lake Carlos State Park. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like I'll get to see much of since it's raining and doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon. I plan on leaving around 7 am so tomorrow won't be good for sightseeing either. Oh, well. I'm just glad to have a warm place to sleep. These have been the 2 most difficult rides I've done, by far. Yesterday for the physical challenge and today for the sheer misery of the rain and wind and cold. Don't get me wrong, I'm still enjoying it emensly. After all, the challenge is what I was looking for.

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First course of my lunch.

Mmmmm, vegetable beef soup, next up, my favorite food. Cheeseburger. I won't show you that cuz that would be mean.:)

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Nelson, mn

I'm in Nelson, wait I'm past Nelson. it was that fast. It was nice to see a town though. My route today has been rather boring, thus the lack of pictures. My first regret, I should have planned the leg for more towns. Live and learn.

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Flat and windy

Totally different terrain than yesterday. I am literally working hard to keep me and my bike from blowing over while I type this.

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Glenwood hill

If this God's country, some bicyclist in Glenwood must have really pissed him off. That's just ridiculous. Really, there's no reason for a hill like that right in the middle of a road. I know this picture doesn't do it justice but the lakeview might. That's from the top looking back. Very beautiful.

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Day 2

Thunderstorms today so I better hit the road. There is a great little bakery that makes the most delicious donuts I think I've ever had. I could have sat on their bench eating donuts all day but I decides that one was plenty. There is a 15 mph head wind for the first 10 miles so I'll get started right.:)

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My home for the night

Hotel room watching the Viking and eating chicken wings. That's how I'm spending my night.

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Lake Minnewaska

I made it to Starbuck, no, not the coffee shop although there is one that looks remarkably like a "Starbucks" 55 miles today and the majority of it was raining and hills. Awesome ride. I can't wait till tomorrow.

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Hills hills and more hills

This has been my most difficult ride, hands down. It's also been the most beautiful. Even with 6 hours of rain its been very enjoyable. I don't know that I could have done this hill without walking last year, much less the 12 others (at least) that came after it. Felt great but when I got off my bike I got a huge and I mean huge Charlie horse. I almost fell down. I guess I better stretch.:)

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Mmmmm

Well, I'm sitting in Sunburn enjoying some hot coffee and a delicious carmel roll. I've got almost 30 miles in and its been raining most of the way but just lightly. It is beautiful country. All rolling hills and wetlands. Great trip so far.

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I'm off in the rain

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Oh boy

That's no good. Glad I packed the rain gear.

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Today is the big day!

This trip will be my biggest physical and mental challenge I've ever had.  I know to some it seems like not that big of a deal but to me it is.  this year has been a year of challenges and goals.  I've met them all up to this point.  I lost 50 lbs, ran a 5k, did 2 pull-ups :), climbed a rock wall, and my last 2 goals are to do a bike tour and ride 100 miles in a day.  Hopefully things will pan out to make them both happen this weekend.

I ended up getting a camper cabin for Friday night since the forecast calls for rain and thunder all evening and night.  I don't know what I'll do tonight.  I really want to stay in a tent one night but this was never about the tenting (which up to this year i despised).  It's all about the ride.  Oh, and the Vikings!

Bags are packed

All of the bags are packed.  I think I have everything I need.  I guess if I don't it's probably not the end of the world.  The weather is going to be not so nice but what do you do.  I'm debating whether or not I should stay in a camper cabin or plan on tenting Friday.  It's supposed to be rain and thunderstorms all evening and night.  Not sitting by the campfire weather.  There's one cabin left.  Should I or shouldn't I?  Tomorrow night is questionable also.  The Vikings are on so I have to have some place to watch them.  I could go to a bar but I can't drink so that would be kind of boring.  Decisions, decisions.

Did I think if everything?

Did I remember everything? Wanna bet I get a day away and realise I forgot something very critical.

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The day before

This could be the longest day ever.  I'm getting a little nervous but mostly anxious to get started.  The weather forecast finally started to get a little better.  Tail wind most days so that fantastic.  I'll still be dealing with a little rain but that's to be expected.

I'm sure my dear wife is ready for me to be back home since I haven't been able to help around the house at all lately.  I'll make it up to her I promise.

Off to work.

12 Hours of work left

I made it through the first 12 hour day now there's just one more left.  I'm glad I started this blog.  All of my thoughts have been about this trip, now at least they are divided between the ride and the blog. :)

I just want to get started.  I'm tired of talking about it and I'm getting stressed about what I'm going to forget.  It seems like I'm bringing everything not nailed down.

wow

Man, I hope the weather isn't like this all week. that wind is crazy. I almost didn't have to pedal to work.

People keep asking me why I don't cancel my tour. What would that say about me? Things like this are supposed to show what you're made of. What would quitting before I start say about me?

I could change my route to an easy one or go next month but there will always be obstacles and that's what make it fun. We'll see if I think different next week.

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It's Tuesday

Well, it's t-2 days and counting.  It sounds like a great day to bike to work.  Wind is blowing, the rain just stopped.  Can't beat it.

I have been checking Accuweather for my trip for a week and it never seems to change.

Thursday - Breezy with Rain
Friday - Thunderstorms
Saturday - Finally some nice weather

I hope it gets better.