Yesterday everyone had a great rest day in Sioux Falls. When we arrived it was really hot and yesterday it cooled off and was a great day. I cleaned up my bike did some laundry, shopped some and took a nap. Also got to watch my 1st stage of the tour DE France live. It was a day that everyone needed.
Today the forecast was for a 60 % chance of rain and East south east winds 10-15MPH. We ate breakfast at 0600 and luggage load was at 0700. As we were waiting to load the clouds kept getting darker and there was some thunder in the distance. When we took off we were routed to a bike path that follows the Big Sioux River in Sioux Falls. There was some construction going on, so we had to detour on some of the city streets with the work traffic going on a the same time. After riding for 5-7 miles it began to rain.. We stopped along the trail and put on our rain coats and shower caps from the motels over our helmets. The shower cap makes a nice hat over your helmet so you stay dry. One of the girls said that from behind they really look stupid, but they keep you dry, so I really don't care. The trail took us by the falls and we stopped to take a picture and mine did not turn out, not sure if I got in a hurry or because of the rain.
After going on the bike path at 9.6 miles we left the patch and were on rt 140 east and this is the road we would be on all day to our final destination for today. After crossing 3 or 4 railroad tracks that were slick and at a very bad angle for a bicycle, 2 people went down at one of the crossings. Both got up and finished the ride. A log of scraps and bruises that will probably be sore for a few days, but nothing serious.
We then came into the town of Brandon and the luggage truck was parked and they asked if anyone needed anything out of the truck as far as rain gear. I had what I needed and used the bathroom at the gas station where we were stopped;. After coming back out a police car pulled up and rolled his window down and asked, can't you find any better weather to ride in? I said that we have to ride no matter what the weather is and then told him what we were doing going from coast to coast. He said that he thought we were a group from Sioux Falls and had heard of groups going across. He said that we must be enjoying ourselves as we had big smiles on our faces. I told him yes that riding my bike is my job now that I am retired and it is great to be outside enjoying everything mother nature can dish out to us. He smiled and asked where we were going today and the route we were taking. We told him and he wished us good luck and off he went to his job. He was really a pleasure to talk to and made the day more enjoyable and we forgot about the rain for a brief moment.
We it was on the road again and after mile 25 we reached the Minnesota state line. Right after we crossed the border the rain quit and I was able to get my only picture of the day. Another state down and to the east we continue to go. We are in Minnesota for only 3 nights and then into Wisconsin. We have back to back 100+ mile days on Tue and Wed so we were glad today was only 70 something. The wind was constant today from the the Southeast and it made some of the stretches hard to ride as there was not any relief from the constant blowing.
We went through the Town of Manley which had a population sign saying "16" and then on to Beaver Creek and then to Luverne. The only rest stop for today was in Luverne at the city park at the other end of town. After filling up the bottles and eating we were off once again for the last 30 miles. The next town that we went to was Magnolia and then on to Adrian, which we stopped and used the bathroom at a gas station and I got a snickers bar and off we went again. I was feeling good and took off, passing a few riders that had gone by us while we were at the gas station. The wind was steady but the road was smooth and it had finally dried out. We then came into the town or Worthington which is our home for tonight. We were within 1/2 mile of the motel and we stopped at a Dairy Queen and ate lunch before checking in. After lunch I got my room key, took my luggage to the room, then washed my bike off and then took a shower and am now relaxing in my room.
Tomorrow is another 100+ mile day and it all depends on which way the wind is blowing as to weather it will be easy or hard. We just have to deal with the elements day to day.
The rain can be a pain but you came through it like a champ! It was unfortunate some riders when down crossing the railroad tracks but it was good to hear nothing serious. Good luck on your 100+ ride today and I do hope the wind will cooperate with you. Enjoyed the Minnesota picture. Looking forward to the next episode of "Days of our Ride".
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