Hi All,

After two century ride days in a row, wouldn't you think we'd get a short day or even another day off? Wrong!

Today was 89 that turned into plus 4 more before we even got out of Rochester. 

The first turn we were to make, the road was closed (we finally found a way around it) and then the second turn instruction was also a road closed and we could not get through at all so it was an extra four miles to go around the section and get on track again. 

I sure am glad that I was following some of the guys out of town--they always pull away from me because I can't keep up but at least I'm not lost getting out of town in the morning. That is no way to start a long day, be being lost in the morning.

We lucked out again weather-wise as we had a little cloud cover most of the day. Locals said it had been so hot and humid here a couple of days ago that nobody would have wanted to ride a bike!

Gabriel found me about noon today in Rushford and after my very late lunch yesterday, I sure appreciated him.  And, as soon as he feeds me I take off again--I can really boogie now--just shows what a little experience does!!!

The topography is changing from flat cornfields to hills and mesas and so we had quite a few "rollers" now. So always some climbing. 

The western part of Minnesota. is relatively flat but not so in the eastern part.  When we got to lacrosse, we crossed the Mississippi River for the first time and the bridge was so scary as it was like metal grates, traffic on one side and a cement wall on the other. 

My legs were shaking when I got off of that so Gabriel fed me some more soymilk and we took off again for 5 miles of city traffic--Ugh!  That's the only part of the day I don't like--we Santa Barbarians are so spoiled!

Had two TV interviews today--Channel 8 and Channel 12 so that is always exciting.

 

Now Gabriel will have to stay up and watch the 10 o'clock news. He has his camera all set up so he can video it and we have a record of the broadcast--he's always thinking.  It's 9:10 and my bedtime--

Bye,

Love, Patricia