Day 45 Wabash IN to Grove City OH

The night before, I saw my friends Ed and Anne Benson who live in Indianapolis and made the drive up Wabash. We spent a nice evening rediscovering Ponderosa. (I was pleasantly surprised, the steak and the rest of the food was a good as the company). Thanks guys for the nice night out.


Today we entered our (WA, ID, MT, ND, MN, WI, IA, IL, IN, OH) our tenth state. Ohio, the Buckeye State.


In Grove City we stayed with Jack Fetter and his wife at their YFC Wilderness Camp. Some foolishness happened when Stuart decided to sell/auction Dan's bike in the YFC auction.

Distance: 96.28 miles
Time: 5:49

Day 44 Brook to Wabash

Distance: 98 miles

Day 43 Cornell IL to Brook IN

Thanks to Dan and Jenny our host and all the team and Cornell United Methodist Church. As had a warm welcome and and great stay.

As we set off we passed Jenny's place of work where the make food for exotic birds and ship all over the world.

Today we arrived in another state, my ninth: Indiana. No sign welcomed us since we were on the back country roads, so this picture witnesses our entry.
Just before leaving Indiana we came to the town of Iroquois. A relic from the past is still prominent. I thought it was a an outhouse, but it was "The Calaboose." At the time they were concerned that a second salon would bring in people from outside of town who would need cooling off in "the cooler."




















Total Distance: 92 Miles

Day 42-Kewanee to Cornell

This past weekend was very special. After riding on Saturday with Debbie and Dan Berg, we all visited Kathy and Dominic Ascone, more old friends from my days at North Area YFC. It was a great time. Kathy and Dominic took us to "The Crossing" a really imaginative church in Macomb IL. And, then I saw Arnold Bandstra, my old post advisor from Post 104. We had a super time of reconnecting. Such as great time with old friends.

After a day of rest in Kewanee, and a great stay with our sponsoring church, Zion Lutheran with a super couple, Jim and Margaret, who welcomed Stuart and I into their home, we set out again ... this time for Cornell IL.


The bean and cornfields are impressive. They all look to be in great shape and will give great yields. We crossed the Illinois River and the Vermillion River which I canoed down as a Scout and an Explorer.
































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One big lesson our riders learned was about "road tar". Five riders headed off after lunch on a very tarry road and got mired down and covered in tar and gravel.



















90 degree heat and 80 percent humidity made our final hour into Cornell...memorable.

Distance: 83 miles
Time Riding: 5:15
Average Speed: 15.7 mph
Overall Distance: 2615 miles

Day 41 Day off in Macomb

Debbie and Dan Berg took me to see Dominic and Kathy Ascone down in Macomb. So I spent the night, went to a great church and relaxed on my day of rest.

Day 40 Muscatine IA to Kewanee IL

Mulford Evangelical Free Church gave us a warm welcome and our hosts Janet and Harry provided a very nice tour of the town, snug beds and good tuck.

Muscatine is right on Mississippi River. This past Monday a very bad windstorm with "straight line wind" blew through and did unbelievable damage.



















We set off from Muscatine and crossed over the Misssissippi and entered the States of Illinois our (WA, ID, MT, ND MN, WI, IA, IL) eight states.


















Today we were joined by Dan and Debbie Berg, old friends from my YFC days in North Area. Both are strong cyclists. We all enjoyed having them for their company and because they pulled us along.

















The roads were the nicest we've been on for many days with gentle rolling hills. The weather was fine with partly cloudy skies, mid-80's temp, but high humidity.

Distance: 80.87 miles
Time on the bike: 4:49
Total Time: 1755 ft

Overall Distance: 2532 miles

Day 39 Central City IA to Muscatine IA

After a great evening with our hosts, Bruce, LaNiel and Ian, we set out for Muscatine. Today would be one to remember. We passed a number of weird and wonderful things.

Did you know you could rent a bull? That's right, if you have cows and want calves and have not bull, you can rent one. Here's proof.




































An then, do you know where the world's largest limeston structure? Well, according the people in Anamosa IA, it is their 1800's vintage Penatentury.



















The highlight of our day was when we joined the famous "Ragbrai" The Ride Across Iowa. We rode about 15 miles with the over 10,000 people who crossed Iowa this week and bikes. It is one big party.


















Finally, we got to see some of the terrible destruction caused by the flooding that happened earlier this year in Iowa. Instead of taking the detour, we rode the damaged roads.





















Distance: 79 miles
Time on the bike: 5:20
Ave Speed: 14.6 mph
Max Speed 35.7

Total distance since Anacortes: 2452 miles
Total Climbed: 66,000 ft

Day 38- Edgewood to Central City IA

Backbone YFC welcomed us and showed us great time in Edgewood. Mike and Chris hosted Bryan and I. Thanks for the great stay.

It was a gray morning that showed us out of town toward Central City. Don't ever let anyone tell you that Iowa is flat. The rolling hills are as challenging as they are beautiful. But it was the SSE wind blowing at 15-20 mph that added to that challenge.

But the corn and the beans kept us company as we battled the wind. The turn west came none too early. So the last 10 miles went nicely with the wind slightly at our backs.


















Distance: 45 miles

Overall distance: 2373 miles

Day 37 Brownsville MN to Edgewood IA

A new state our... (WA, MT, ND, MN, WI,) sixth.














We left Brownsville, staying on the Mississippi River Valley. It was foggy. Not long after we began, then we started a series of up and downs...big ups and big downs. In fact we climbed 4800 feet today. That is second only to the 7000 feet that we climbed on our second day in the Cascades. Not only did we climb but we did 93 miles. So, all this was our hardest day so far. Everyone felt it.



While is photo doesn't really show it, just think steep as you look at it and you'll get the idea.




















But the day was not without it's cultural diversity. We went right through an area where there are many Amish.

















Distance: 93 miles
Total climbed: 4800 feet
Time in the saddle: 7:05
Total Distance: 2328 miles

Day 36 Lake City ot Brownsville MN

Today's trip started us down the beautiful Mississippi River Valley. This area is known for the number of Bald Eagles that nest in the are. We saw one, but very high in the sky, no alas so close up picture. But you know what they look like away.


















A special chance to add another state to our trip presented itself when we crossed over from Wabasha MN to Wisconsin. We rode south on Route 35 until we crossed back into MN at Winona (a really nice town). As we continued south, we were amazed at how scenic this area is. I had no idea that the Mississippi was surrounded by tall bluffs.



















Distance: 97 miles

Overall distance: 2234 miles

Day 35 Northfield to Lake City

Back on the road Monday morning. Our route directions were a little confusing, be we eventually found our way of the town. The road lead us due east. An unhappy moment came when we had to go over 9 miles of road under construction. The grinding machine as come and taken the top layer of pavement off leaving exposed rock and old tarmac. But then came some new pavement.

We see many funny things along the way. As we drove by a small meat packing company we happened to see some poultry waiting for their turn to be candidates for Kentucky Fried Chicken. May be you don't think that's funny.


















After arriving in Lake City I had a swim and then my first hair cut in a month. Dawn, the women who cut my hair is a believer and when she found out that we where riding for YFC, she made the haircut on the house. Thanks.

Lake City is right on the Mississippi River. It is a widening of the river. We were surprised with a boat trip. A few of our group went water skiing.






















Our host Amy did a great job of organzing our meals, and housing, plus a chance to tell the story of Sea to See.

Distance: 57 miles
Climb: 1853
Time in the saddle: 3:56

Overall distance: 2137

Day 34 Northfield

We had a nice day off in Northfield. Mike and Susanne Sylvester gave us a great breakfast (and a great stay). Then we head off to morning worship at St. John's Lutheran Church.

We had lunch and dinner with special friends. Wendy and Gary Baxter along with their son Jerod (and his son) and Aryn drove down from the Twin Cities to see us. It was a really great time. Then we saw Jennifer and David Horton, who we'd not seen in 16 years.

A really nice day off.

Day 33 Glencoe MN to Northfield MN

After spending a very nice evening Bob and Jane Larter, who gave us a sit down supper, we set this morning out from Christ Lutheran Church for Northfield. With clouds telling us that is would soon bring some light rain we went south out of with, accompanied by the pastor and a 68 year old triathaloner. They gave us an escort for the first 8 miles.

Les our new advance man, in his very tricked-out motor coach, makes us quite an entourage.



















With the wind out of the southeast our southerly legs were hard work. But the east legs were better, especially after the wind turned more southwest.

Distance: 75 miles
Climb: 1738 feet
Time: 5:34

Total Distance: 2080 miles

Day 32-New London MN to Glencoe MN

After a great stay with Peace Lutheran church and wonderful hosts, Carol and Greg Roverud, we set out for Glencoe. Our new advance man has joined us and is pulling our trailer with a coach that once was used for a traveling band. It's big.

The morning's ride started with a very pleasant ride on a bike trail. The temperature was cool. It didn't stay that way. The wind was NE, so on the East legs it was in our face, but on the long south legs, in was a help.

The terrain is rolling and green with soy bean, corn and wheat in the fields.

Distance: 78 miles
Climb: 1114

Overall Distance: 2005 miles ( not yet half way)

Day 31- Day at Sonshine

Today we had a day at the big Christian Music Festival at Willmar Minnesota called Sonshine. Twenty thousand people came to hear groups like Jars of Clay, Superchiks, Third Day and Toby Mac.

We had a stand in the big exposition center and we gave out our cards and told people of our Ride Across America to raise awareness of the need for youth work in Europe and the Middle East and to raise money for the five drop-in centers in Cairo Egypt, Bologna Italy, Germany, Dublin Ireland, and Novy Sad Serbia. We saw hundreds of people and we're pleased we got to tell our story of how we tell Jesus' story.

I had time for a few naps. I even made new friends while napping.

















Back on the bike tomorrow. We pray the wind will be at our backs.

Day 30 Alexandria to New London

This day 30 out of 60. We're half way in days, but we're still 223 miles short of our half way point.

After a nice stay at the local Hampton Inn (thanks to a generous YFC couple) we set out for New London. But not before we watched thunderstorms roll through the area. The down pour lasted for 10-15 minutes, the lightening came and went. And then...just gray cloudy skies.

So off we went...south out of Alexandria. Then we turned southeast.

The winds were really wild. Not only were they strong, but they started in the East, went to the southeast, moved to the northeast, gave us a nice pushed from the west and then beat us back as they turned back east as we made our final push to New London.

The clouds, which some might have thought ominous, were beautiful.



Distance: 55 miles

Overall distance: 1927 (still closing in on the half way mark).

Day 29 Pelican Rapids to Alexandria MN

After a warm send off from the folks of Trinity Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids Minnesota, off we went in search of Alexandria Minnesota.

The first 35 miles where through rolling lake country of Otter Tail county. From Dalton we moved onto the superb Central Lake Bike Trail. This old railroad grade turned into a bike path is scenic, with tarmac as soft as a baby's behind. A welcome change from some of the bumpy county roads.



















We ended in Alexandria, home of Big Ole, one of the world's largest Vikings. The shop, Bike and Fitness company welcomed us with drinks and sandwiches.

Distance: 75 miles
Climb: 1280 ft

Overall Distance: 1872 miles

Day 28 Fargo ND to Pelican Rapids MN

New week...new State. This is our 5th state-Minnesota. We are in the beautiful country called Ottertail county which has 1000 (out of 10,000) lakes.

As we rode out of Fargo, we stayed together as a group, so our guest rider Mark has made special maps taking us through Minnesota. Very good first day.

I do have a complaint. The roads out of Fargo into Clay county Minnesotat were painfully bumpy. Even through my new riding gloves, my hands and arms, (not to mention my backside) got jolted.

And the truck traffic. There were so many trucks hauling gravel. And no wonder, we went right past a gravel pit. If you want to see Minnesota, you'd better come soon...they're hauling it away by the the truck load.

Relief came when we got to the well-maintained county roads of Otter tail county. But...the wind again was in our faces on the south legs. Most of the legs were south. We arrived in Pelican Rapids, hot and tired. But thankfully more relief came in a chocolate milkshake at the Tastee Freeze.

Distance: 52 miles
Climb: 1019 ft
Time 4:0
Calories Burned : 2607

Overall Distance: 1797.21 miles (1800 for all intents and purposes)

Day 27 Fargo

A day of rest in Fargo started with worship at Atonement Lutheran Church. Becky and I gave a short presentation on our ride. Afterward we had a very good Thai lunch.

Our hosts Terry and Brian Dahl gave us a warm welcome and a supper dinner of lamb. Thanks!

Brian a a cycle racer and we had lots of conversation about racing and cycling.

Tomorrow we enter Minnesota our 5th State!

Day 26 Page to Fargo

Wind at our backs at 25-30 mph made this 55 mile day go very fast. The nice folks at Page Methodist church gave us a great stay and a warm send off.

As we came into Fargo, we ran into a sponsored ride. One of the officials told us about his bike shop (Paramount) and the gave me from their spare parts box, a sender for my bike computer that is broke the other day.

We rode to Lindenwood Park and had a barbeque courtesy of Dennis Jensen, the Executive Director of Red River YFC. Some couldn't resist a lie in the hammock.

Distance: 55 miles
Climb:
Time: 2:28
Ave. Speed: 19.26mph
Calories: 3400

Overall distance: 1745 miles
Total calories : 112696

Day 25 Cooperstown to Page

Today was a short day. Weather was sunny with lots of cumulus clouds developing later in the day. Again we had a head wind from while on the south bound legs of the trip. But the 39 miles didn't wear us out like yesterday.

We had one of our more funny moments, when we did a prank on our leader Bryan Blomker, who when he arrived at one of our two rest stops was greeted by Emma, our sag driver, being questioned by a local sheriff's police. Bryan fell for it hook line and sinker. Oh the worried look on his face when he thought that Emma might be hauled off to jail in Fargo for not having an acceptable driver's license.

Distance: 39 miles
Climb: 800 feet
Average Speed: 15 mph
Calories burned: 2200
Overall distance: 1690 miles

Day 24- Tokio to Cooperstown

Nothing but "hard work" could describe today. Enough though it was only 70 miles, we had a 15-20 mph headwind from the East, the whole way.

No one enjoyed themselves. My thighs...no all of my legs are stiff, as well as my back.

What's more, we had more flats. But this one was quite unique. I've never seen tread peeled from a tire like this.


Nuff said.

Distance: 70 miles
Climbed: 1000 ft
Total time: 7:30
Bike time: 5:00
Average speed: 13.9 mph
Calories Burned: 3600

Overall Distance: 1651 miles
Total Calories burned: 107,135

Day 23-Rugby to Tokio

Another, nearly 100 mile day: only 97 miles. But we had the wind at our backs. Riding through the Devil's Lake Area was nice. This area has so many lakes.

We did ride through our first thunderstorm. It did drench us. A few found shelter from the lightening, in a local recreation center. But we set out again and were quickly dried by the slip stream.

Distance: 97 miles
Average Speed: 16.5 mph

Overall distance: 1570 miles

We spend the night at Spirit Lake Ministry Center with Mike and Libby.

Day 22- Stanley ND to Rugby ND

Today was our longest ride to date: 118 miles. It also was over some of the worst roads we've yet seen. The last nine miles of the route into Rugby was under construction. There was a thin shoulder for us to ride on. We can to compete with less than courteous motor home drivers and semi-truck drivers that were obviously late for dinner.

Rugby has the distinction of being the geographic center of North America. For you mathematicians, that is of interest, right? Otherwise I'm not sure the bit of info in worth much. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I decided to leave right at 7:00 a.m. and ride my own ride. I averaged 18.8 mph (partly due to a good NW wind). I rode hard, took only short three breaks (not including lunch) of not more than 10 minutes each. The shortest was five. I ate 3 energy bars and a light lunch of peanut butter sandwich, string cheese, some grapes and a little apple. I arrived at 2:58 p.m. Let's see how I feel tomorrow.

Total Distance: 119 miles
Total Climb: 1008 ft
Total Time: 7h50 minutes
Bike Time:6h20
Average Speed: 18.8 mph
Overall distance: 1485 miles

Day 21-Williston ND to Stanley

Another exhilarating day. After a warm send off by the folks of 1st Lutheran in Williston we set out north on U.S. 2 After ten miles, the road turned east and we again had a stiff wind at our backs that sped us on our way to Stanley. We were done riding by 1:30 p.m.




















This area is a hot bed of oil drilling. There have been new reserves found and one sees pumping station and derricks frequently.

There are other sights to be seen as well.

Distance: 71 miles
Climbed: 2410 ft
Overall Distance: 1366 miles

Day 20-Williston Day off

Our 'sabbath' rest included time of worship with 1st Lutheran. The pastor reminded us how being the family of God transcends country and allows us to put into perspective what it means to be citizens of heaven and of this world. We sang prayers (Oh Beautiful for Spacious Skies) recognizing God's blessing on this country and asking him to continue.

Before going to the pool, I cleaned my bike and changed the tires. The old set of Vredisteins have 2200 miles on them. It will be interesting to see how the new Vredistein Tri-Comps do. These are much higher pressure tires (160psi max).

All in all, a very good day of rest.

Day 19-Poplar to Williston

An exhilarating day. After a great time in Poplar with Abigail, the pastoral worker of the Roman Catholic Church who took us to the the 50th Annual Fort Kip Pow wow, we set out with a very brisk wind at our backs. The 71 miles whizzed by as we hit speeds of 35 mph for long stretches.



















Part of our exuberance came when we crossed into North Dakota, our fourth State. I've never been to North Dakota before. But if the warm welcome received from the folks of 1st Lutheran Church in Williston is any indication of the kind of people that live here, I will be back. No sooner had we arrived, than we were asked to be part of the end of the wedding reception and enjoy the refleshments. .

We were welcomed by Sharon and Bernie Gardener. We really had a great time. Thank you!

Distance: 71 miles
Overall Distance: 1273 miles

Day 18- Glasgow to Poplar

A shorter but hotter day awaited us on Friday July 4. The wind started from the East from swung into the south at the end of the day, giving us a bit of relief from the hard work of pedaling into the wind.

A part from continuing knot near my right shoulder blade and numbness in my left little finger. I'm doing well. I

Tonight we saw a Pow-wow of the Nakota tribe of the Sioux nation. The dancing moving and the costumes colorful.

Distance: 70 miles

Overall distance: 1203 miles

Day 17-Malta to Glasgow

Day 16- Havre MT to Malta MT

With a storm in the south, we set out from Havre to Malta. Since today would be only 93 miles, we all thought it would be a little easier than yesterday's 107 miles. But we were wrong.

The storm brought us a strong east west. With the wind in our face, we battled to get to Elim Lutheran Church in time. The faithful folks were waiting with dinner all ready we we rolled up at 5:30 p.m. But they were gracious and we had a great time with them.







Today the group had 7 flat tires. I had my first one on the trip. Since today we broke 1000 miles, I'm very happy with one flat in 1000 miles. I'll be changing tires soon. I have over 2000 miles on this set.


All of us are a bit tired today. But none more than Arek, who grabbed a quick nap at lunch.

Distance: 93 miles
Overall Distnace: 1061 miles