Monday, July 17, 2006
Day 29 - Worthington, Minnesota - July 17 2006
Weather: Sunny 88, Headwinds and sidewinds
Location: Worthington, Miinnesota (from Sioux Falls, SD)
Miles per day: 82 (planned 70)
Average miles per hour: 11.71
Elevation climb: 600 feet
Blizzards/Ice Cream to date: 21
Flat Tires to date: 1
Following a day off, I seemed to have trouble pulling myself together - I was LOOLOI (last one out, last one in). At the beginning of this trip, I stretched the days out with afternoon siestas under the trees as others beat it out to the hotel. Often on my own, passing cyclist would check to see that I was still alive and then move on. However, as you can see, this new alternative sport is growing in popularity. It really is a great way to enjoy everyday. Highly recommend it!
The initial 10 miles on the bike path along the Sioux River were fantastic. Every city should have a bike path - very calming, quiet and relaxing. As we moved into Minnesota (mile 26), the landscape was vibrant with blowing rich deep green seas of soybean and cornfields. Luscious! No signs of the extensive irrigation systems as seen in Wyoming and Idaho.As the day progressed, the level of difficulty continued to increase substantially.
The cyclers' nemesis, that invisible beast was gaining strength and ready for a good fight. You can see it here beating the corn to the ground. Winds were blowing from the N-NE - a direction that we were heading. Coming off a rest day, I was in no mood but had to take the it head-to-head.Now there is a grand debate among all long distance cyclist. Is it easier to cycle East to West across America or West to East? Everyone has an opinion. Seems the answer is always the opposite direction of whatever direction you are going. For us, it seems we have had more than our fair share of Headwinds, making even these 'easy' days terribly tough. That said, the main benefit of winds from the North, was that it was much cooler today.
My day was further challenged following a photo stop at mile 62. I hopped on my bike, passed a few cyclists as well as the SAG wagon and no one noticed or said a word. Until a few miles down, fellow rider Abe looks at me and says 'Where's your helmet'..... A costly extra 7 miles. Let's just say it was one of those days.Arriving in Worthington, all was revealed. Firstly, there were windmills in the distance indicating that this part of the country is ferociously windy. This was then confirmed as one look at the local attractions: Windsurfing Regatta on Lake Okabena. Need I say more? Mother Nature rules!
