July 24 Sauk Rapids – Minneapolis
78 miles, 9.8 mph average, 8:03 ride time, total time on road 11 hours and 30 minutes, expenses $2.50.
I thought yesterday was hard today was downright miserable. I woke up to the sound of thunder, never good. Dressed went upstairs to have breakfast with Jason and Beth and find out the weather forecast. Beth suggested perhaps I might want to stay another night or at least a few hours for the rain to pass. I should have taken her up on the offer. After breakfast I waited around for maybe 45 minutes and decided it was just a light sprinkle of rain so saddled up and headed out as this was going to be my longest day for miles and needed to get-r-done. Said my goodbyes to Beth and Jason and again promised I’d be back to MN for a ride with them.
I don’t think I went two miles and the sprinkle of rain turned into a good downpour. First, my glasses fogged over and then my maps which I had printed out on standard computer paper disintegrated. Leaving me no choice but to stop every couple turns to clear my glasses enough to read and memorize the next turn or two which made for very slow going. Still I was making my way down the road and the rain wasn’t cold.
As my luck goes when I turned onto County Road 75 just south of St. Cloud, it really began raining hard but that was nothing compared to what lay ahead of me. All the fantastic smooth roads in Minnesota, wide shoulders on more trafficked roads, polite and considerate drivers. County Road 75 turned 0ut to be the road from Hell for me. It had a shoulder consisting of gravel which my bike is not capable of riding on. I know I tried and immediately came to a screeching halt as my wheels buried themselves in the stuff. I did manage to unclip fast enough to not fall over. I thought to myself surely a hard surface shoulder would appear soon. Wrong again Old Guy all 20 miles of this road had the soft shoulder forcing me to ride on the main lane of this two lane road. Traffic was light and every motor vehicle that passed gave me a wide birth except one TOTAL FRIGGIN IDIOT semi-truck driver. I knew he was bearing down on me as he laid on his horn starting about a quarter mile behind me. Ok, I thought he doesn’t realize I can’t ride on the gravel shoulder but no problem as there was no oncoming traffic in sight and he’d be able to pass me easily by moving into the on coming lane and passing me same as he would any other vehicle. No, this IDIOT bears down on me literally passing within inches of me and his rear set of tires almost caught my panniers. Then of course there was all the wash from his tires as he passed which totally blinded me for a few moments. His action was totally uncalled for and had he hit me I would have called it premeditated murder with a deadly weapon. But of course, I wouldn’t have been on this earth to testify against him and since no other vehicles were in sight he would have gotten by with murder. For the life of me I can not understand what this type person is thinking, does he really have deep uncontrollable urge to kill someone?
At the end of the road from Hell I needed a break. Fortunately there was a convenience store just before turning onto the bike path to head to downtown Minneapolis. I bought a coke and a couple Pay-Day candy bars and sat on the walk in front of the store to fuel up and calm my nerves. While sitting there a bicyclist rode up Eric Walbolt a Good Samaritan. Eric introduced himself and asked the usual questions including where I was going. To my surprise Eric also said he’d lead me for a few miles on the Bike path so I wouldn’t get lost. I said great but be prepared as I ride really slow with all the gear I have loaded onto Spirit. He was good with that and we set off down the bike path. Eric, on a fast bike, rode beside me and we carried on a lengthy conversation over the course of the next 8 miles. Sure were a lot of turns and I was quite pleased to have met Road Angel Eric to lead my way. As Eric and I parted he offered to let me stay at his place if my Warm Showers Host fell through. I put Eric’s phone number on my contact list and told him I’d call if needed. We shook hands and parted company as new friends.
Since Eric had led me through the most complicated section of the bike path, which were a number of paths going in other directions, as well as providing me information on some of the remaining turns I had to make to get to downtown Minneapolis I navigated the next 5 miles without getting confused more than twice. Even had time to stop and take a couple pictures for you.
Minneapolis Veterans Home and some kind of retaining wall
Ruins of a once thriving mill
Stone Arch Bridge
Riding the bike paths of Minneapolis are well kept with great scenery and lots of use by bicyclists, runners and pedestrians. I truly was in awe of this city and how forward thinking they are for going green. I now know why they are rated in the top 3 cities for being bicycle friendly.
I phoned Andrew, my Warm Showers Host, when I was only a couple blocks away, and he said he’d meet me on the street in front of his house which he did. Andrew proved once again staying with Warm Shower Hosts, who are avid bicyclist themselves, is a great way to go. Andrew helped me secure my bike in his garage, led me to his home, showed me my bedroom for the night, the shower where he had towels and wash cloths waiting for me. Andrew said he’d prepare dinner while I showered. Just before I went to take my shower Andrews wife Christine arrived with daughter Madelyn. They had been at piano practice. Madelyn was quite the princess and fun to watch her animation and excitement. After dinner I phoned my next Warm Shower Host in Prescott, Wisconsin tomorrow night and he provided valuable directions for getting to his place. To double check the route Andrew and I poured over some great Minneapolis and State Map Andrew had. By the time we finished it was time for bed and I have to say after one of the hardest day’s of riding, in fact can’t think of a harder day, I was more than ready for some much needed sleep.
Andrew, Princess Madelyn, Christine and of course the Old Guy
The next morning Andrew headed to work on his bike and Madelyn to school on hers. Christine had to drive a car as her work was quite a distance away.
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14 Comments
Liz Walton
September 14, 2012Frank:
Thanks for the additional info about our Mn MRT route.
It seems every trip there’s one nasty driver. And despite Hwy 75 being the route that community input led us to choose, it is on our list where we may look for more options to the route.
We have so many turns on our route (plus Mn has the longest toute of the 10
states) and hope that by having our GIS map people can supplement the printed map. We now only have a map on Google Earth, but hope to have it on Google Maps soon. Also, we have a new printed state bike map coming out soon, that will include more info, including the MRT.
Yes, we will have signs with turn directions followed by a sign on the other side of the turn to confirm you made the correct turn. That should help immensely for navigating. It’s lots and lots of signs since we shift often between on and off-road, but necessary. 817 miles x 2 directions (up river and down) = 1634 miles of signs!
I look forward to meeting you if you come back to Mn. Mn is the #2 bike-friendly state in the county and the #1 trails state in the country–and there are so many great places to ride. My Warm Showers house will still be open waiting for you if you return!
Thanks,
Liz
4theoldguy11
September 14, 2012Hi Liz,
I’m just back from working in Vegas the past couple weeks and delighted to see your email.
You’re welcome. Over-all I enjoyed the MN section of the MRT and believe with the signage planned for the entire length your bicycle friendly state will be the #1 favorite for all who ride the Mississippi River Trail.
Outside of the one “nasty driver” darn near running me down in the entire 1,100 miles he was the only such person. That’s very good odds of the thousands of vehicles which passed me.
Pastor Eric Walbolt
August 7, 2012Hi Frank,
It’s Eric Walbolt. I’m the guy who rode with you yesterday from Champlin, MN to North Minneapolis. Hope you had a nice end to your long day in St. Paul. Really enjoyed our brief travel. Your website is really great and inspiring. I have passed it on to a number of my biking buddies here in Champlin and a friend of mine in Washington State. You may or may not hear from any of them.
One of the guys names is Neil Eerdmann’s he’s a local elementary school teacher. He raced in the Race Across America a few years back. He’s been nominated 3 or 4 times as the Minnesota Teacher of the year. He’s never won but people always try to have their kids in his class because he is such an inspiration. I talked to him this morning and he said he is going to use some of your website in his class this year to inspire and help motivate the kids.
The other guys name is John Cross. He did a couple “cross countries” last year. Like me, he’s a Lutheran Pastor. He’s got years of touring under his belt. He’s always wanted to put together a website and this year he’s in the process of writing a book about his biking adventures. At some point you might hear from him.
Have a wonderful and safe trip!
Blessings,
Eric Walbolt
4theoldguy11
August 7, 2012Hi Eric, It is so great to hear from you. You may want to read my journal entries from Crossing America last year in particular Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Your friend Neil may want to use those specific date especially the Oct. 1st entry in his teachings. Learning you a “Good Samaritan” who helped me on this ride brings extra special happiness to my heart to learn you are a Lutheran Pastor, you will know why when you read those journal entries mentioned above.
I’ve not heard from Neil yet but have from John. I look forward to visiting with John further and Neil if he contacts me.
Thank you for your kindness and for contacting me. I feel God brought us together for a special purpose that day. I look forward to sharing the inspiration of the day with many.
God Bless you my special friend.
Craig & Ruth
August 3, 2012Hi Frank! It was a pleasure meeting you in Fulton, Illinois on the Great River Bike Trail. It was great riding with you for a short distance and getting acquainted. Good luck on your ride.
Craig & Ruth
4theoldguy11
August 4, 2012Hi Craig and Ruth, thank you for writing and the pleasure was mine for meeting such fine folks as yourself on the trail. I gather your adventure went well? Will look forward to hearing from you again.
marlene vanek
August 2, 2012that is more excitement and fear (of getting killed) that I could ever handle in a day- week – month or year. Well it seems your guardian angel is following you . Take care of yourself and be safe.
marlene
4theoldguy11
August 3, 2012Hi Marlene, thank you for reading my journal but sorry I haven’t kept it up to date as well this year as last. Only the one Idiot in over 900 miles and 16 days into the journey every other motor vehicle driver has been courteous and given me a wide birth. I will never understand what folks like that one driver was thinking. Anyway the real joy and beauty of riding around America is in the heart of the many folks I meet along the way. It makes me proud to be an American. As a gal from Holland put it last year, “They came to America to see the beauty of our land but found the true beauty in the heart of the folks they met”. Look forward to visiting with you again. Take care!
Candice Moore
July 31, 2012Read your blogs. Had been wondering how you were fairing. We are thinking of you back home. Broken ribs (the radiologist counted 3 on the shoulder xray) are healing. The first picture in the river reminded me of our Ottowa fording. Glad you and Spirit are having a good adventure. Oh, I did furnished the journal. I didn’t do any real self analysis (already done), but you know you will have to edit for any publication.
4theoldguy11
August 3, 2012Hi Candice and Ted! I’ve not done well at keeping up with my journal this adventure, pretty much worn out by end of day. Probably will not do fully self-contained adventure in future, especially if there are hills. Great, glad your journal is ready, I’ll get on it in September. I’ve had quite a few folks asking for your journal, guess folks are tired of hearing me whine. Looking forward to getting it on the website. It took me a week on the road to get my head together as I was a bit depressed but now in great spirit. The joy of being on the road is meeting and hearing from so many nice folks.
Andrew
July 30, 2012Frank,
Nice to meet you and happy we could host you on your adventure.
FYI, your first photo is not a church, but rather the Minnesota Veteran’s home administration building. which looms above Local and Dam #1.
Hope you made id to Prescott with minimal confusion!
Andrew
4theoldguy11
August 3, 2012Hi Andrew,
Thank you for the correcting my error, I made the change. It was a pleasure staying with you guys. I did alright until crossing over to St. Paul without signage became very confusing, spent probably an hour getting lost between Ford Bridge and I-494 bridge. After that the directions to Prescott were pretty straight forward and the distance was only 44 miles which was nice. I’m still 9 days behind posting my journal, will catch up at home. Thank you again for hosting me.
Jack & Connie
July 29, 2012Yikes! What is it with those idiots – haven’t they ever ridden a bike? Stay safe Frank, glad you weren’t injured. We hope you have better roads with shoulders on the remainder of your adventure.
4theoldguy11
August 3, 2012Hi Jack and Connie, First time I’ve been back on website, it’s now Aug 3rd may get one or two journal entries done yet today. I’m about 160 miles from St. Louis Arch where I will stop for this first stage. Have to go to Vegas for a tournament, then will pick up the journey again in late Sept/Oct. All this distance and only the one Idiot, everyone else has given me a wide birth. So far 60 miles of Illinois, Savanna to Rock Island was mostly bike trails. It’s the future of what it will be like for bicyclists about the middle of this century across the Country. Staying safe, sorry I haven’t had time to posts as doing too many miles each day to stay on time to get home. Take care give each other big hugs from me!