New Adventures -- Northern Tier

The final segment of the trip followed a rest day in Lincoln, New Hampshire on June 23, and concluded in Bar Harbor on June 26 somewhat unceremoniously in the Maine rain similar to the first days as we crossed Minnesota. Bar Harbor, June 27 It is true that what you remember most are the difficult days.  That would include the 30 degree, rain soaked, headwind days of Minnesota.  The day the transmission went out in the tour van, then the day into Cascade that followed when riders were caught in a thunderstorm and all the bikes had to somehow be loaded into the replacement U Haul.  We'll remember the quirky accommodations, and those that were really special.  Most of all we'll remember the things that happened and the people that we have met -- the turtle whisperers in our group (3 reported snapping turtles saved from certain traffic deaths); each person that said "You came from where?"; the proprietors at SAG stop locations that were generous and caring; and ge...

Crossing the Erie Canal We pulled out of Niagara Falls on Friday, June 14 and have arrived in Lincoln, New Hampshire for a final rest day.  This has been eight consecutive riding days, the longest of the trip.  Everyone was ready for a break before the final push to the Atlantic. During the past eight days we've seen Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.  We've ridden through farm country and seen many large dairy operations in the East along with large fields of hay.   Vermont dairy farm Hay is blown into wagons instead of baled One of the SAG stops was at a bison ranch.  Those folks just shook their heads at us, but I'd say their work is muchharder than ours.   We've been through small  towns and cities and enjoyed so much beauty along the way that it's impossible to describe, and the photos just don't do it justice.  You have to get out here.  You have to see it; and, most importantly, you have to experience it in whatev...

This trip will be complete in two weeks.  On a daily basis it doesn't feel like there's much progress but when you look at where the trip started and where we are now, it's been 1,558 miles.  During the past four days we left Ohio behind; passed through Pennsylvania; and have been in New York for three days.  The route rolled into Niagara Falls yesterday, so that in two weeks we'll be in Bar Harbor. Niagara River before the Falls   The weather has generally cooperated  most recently during riding hours.  The last weather excitement was the day we ended in Bowling Green, Ohio as there were tornado warnings issued after all riders were in. Niagara Falls There have been days of urban riding as we've been in and around Cleveland and Buffalo for most of the week.  These miles can be challenging with traffic, lots of stopping and general navigation issues.  It provides, though, Maid of the Mist lots of variety and interesting things ...

If you've followed the Facebook posts, you know there has been some crazy weather.  You know there's been issues with the "other season" in the north known as construction season.  You may have also picked up on mechanical issues.  And, some know we pulled into the last rest day and found no motel rooms.  Such as it is on a tour.  This group has stepped up, laughed at the adversity and "carried on."  It has been amazing! Today (Saturday) we are resting in Cleveland.  Yesterday's (Friday) ride into Cleveland began in Huron, where we had our first glimpse of Lake Erie.  It's hard for someone from the Midwest to grasp the magnitude of the Great Lakes, just like it's difficult for those from urban areas to grasp the magnitude of the rural Midwest and the vastness of the West.  You look out over Lake Erie and there's water as far as you can see.  The communities between Huron and Cleveland, and probably all those along the Lakes, embrace th...

To say we've been rural for a few days would be a little light.  The tour notes indicated the chef should stock up on groceries for a few days.  One feels like you're riding off into the abyss somewhere. We left Iowa on Tuesday and crossed Illinois over the next 3 days.  We entered Indiana on Saturday and have a rest day today (Sunday). Illinois and Indiana roads have been great, generally smooth, low to no traffic, and no markings.  Iowa roads like these are usually gravel so I find this to be pretty unique and really enjoyable. In addition, this terrain has been flat, flat, flat.  While Iowa isn't exactly full of mountains, of course, this is incredibly flat.  Sometimes, the roads are lower than the fields.  I think "flat" leaves us tomorrow as we continue east. Rural IL Farm to Market Road, about a lane and a half wide Hey Martha, look at those funny humans in spandex! These types of roads keep us pretty rural....

We are in the second week of the trip.  Overnighting in Muscatine, Iowa tonight with a day off here tomorrow.  Water has been the theme for the most part for the past two weeks.  If it's not raining, there's water standing in the fields.  The Mississippi is well outside its banks in Muscatine with flood warnings tonight after heavy rain today.  Riders were pulled from the route today when storms started at mile 25.  Some were disappointed, but safety is the priority.  This way all continue on to ride another day, and we have extra time to enjoy The Merrill in Muscatine. We've traveled from Stillwater, Minnesota to Muscatine over the past 5 days.  Once we were in Iowa, of course, it really felt like home.  We were in Marquette on Saturday and Dyersville last night, only 25 miles from Dubuque. There have been some very nice riding days along with some of the wet ones; but everyone saddles up in the morning to ride regardless of condition be...

We've been on the road for a week.  It's a rest day in Stillwater, MN today.  A great  stop!  Bike friendly, vibrant, welcoming and many activities.  But, that's today.  Let's go back to last Friday (Fargo to Pelican Rapids, MN). If you follow on Facebook, you know the story.  There've been 5 riding days so far and only 1 that didn't have gale force winds, 1 day above 60, 2 days below 40, and 2 days without rain.  Yes, the weather is the dominant theme so far; but riders have ridden each day persevering through rain, wind, snow and cold.  Kudos to the hotels along the way for having rooms available when we arrive so that everyone can get out of the weather, get warmed up and into dry clothes asap. This a group of 17 riders, a guide, a full time chef and a chef leaving after Stillwater.  There are 3 of us pulling SAG (support and gear) duty.  I'm doing double duty, which means I ride half the time and the rest of the time in...