Day 32--Rochester MN to La Crosse WI--July 22nd
Miles Ridden 90.7
Avg. Speed 14.1
Climbing 2850 Ft.
Total Miles Ridden 2350 Miles
Miles To Go 1279
The forecast was for rain, not a quick thunderstorm, but a full day of heavy rain. When we woke up, the rain was coming down at over an inch an hour and the radar showed no breaks to justify waiting to start. We covered up as best we could but it didn't make any difference. These were conditions I would never think of riding in if there was a choice. The storm drains in Rochester couldn't handle the rainfall, the streets were covered in several inches of water and in a few minutes we were all soaked and knew we would stay that way for six or seven hours.
After leaving town, the wind started blowing the rain in our faces at thirty miles an hour. It felt like hail on your skin and it was almost impossible to see. The next three hours were truly miserable as the rain and wind made for slow and uncomfortable riding while all of us were extremely tense as we tried to stay safe and avoid the dangers of riding in the wet.
We couldn't appreciate it but the terrain became much more scenic with hills and wooded areas.
After about forty miles the rain stopped for a while. We got on a beautiful ten mile bike trail over an old railroad line between Rushford and Houston and it started raining again. Just as we started a most difficult climb the rain finally ended. I had no idea there was a 600 foot, over one mile, 10% climb in southeastern Minnesota but we found it. To put this in perspective, the climb over Teton Pass which caused me such trouble was three miles at 10% so this was just as steep, just shorter (and at lower altitude).
The ride finished with a long descent to the Mississippi River where we crossed into Wisconsin. After a most difficult day, crossing the river is a welcome reminder that we are getting closer to the finish. While the trip has been everything I hoped it would be and more, we have now been on the road for over a month and I am more than ready to get this finished.
Avg. Speed 14.1
Climbing 2850 Ft.
Total Miles Ridden 2350 Miles
Miles To Go 1279
The forecast was for rain, not a quick thunderstorm, but a full day of heavy rain. When we woke up, the rain was coming down at over an inch an hour and the radar showed no breaks to justify waiting to start. We covered up as best we could but it didn't make any difference. These were conditions I would never think of riding in if there was a choice. The storm drains in Rochester couldn't handle the rainfall, the streets were covered in several inches of water and in a few minutes we were all soaked and knew we would stay that way for six or seven hours.
After leaving town, the wind started blowing the rain in our faces at thirty miles an hour. It felt like hail on your skin and it was almost impossible to see. The next three hours were truly miserable as the rain and wind made for slow and uncomfortable riding while all of us were extremely tense as we tried to stay safe and avoid the dangers of riding in the wet.
We couldn't appreciate it but the terrain became much more scenic with hills and wooded areas.
After about forty miles the rain stopped for a while. We got on a beautiful ten mile bike trail over an old railroad line between Rushford and Houston and it started raining again. Just as we started a most difficult climb the rain finally ended. I had no idea there was a 600 foot, over one mile, 10% climb in southeastern Minnesota but we found it. To put this in perspective, the climb over Teton Pass which caused me such trouble was three miles at 10% so this was just as steep, just shorter (and at lower altitude).
The ride finished with a long descent to the Mississippi River where we crossed into Wisconsin. After a most difficult day, crossing the river is a welcome reminder that we are getting closer to the finish. While the trip has been everything I hoped it would be and more, we have now been on the road for over a month and I am more than ready to get this finished.
Storm clouds over the hills after it was dry enough to take out the camera
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| The Wisconsin border is actually west of the Mississippi. Not sure why, maybe the river changed course |
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| The Mississippi River, about a mile east of the border |
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| Looking south over the Mississippi River on a dark day |
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