Day 31: Mankato, MN to Rochester, MN - 103 miles with 2,400' of climbing

We left Mankato under clear skies with our bellies full from a great breakfast at the hotel. Just outside of town we had a close call when someone towing a trailer in the oncoming lanes started to fishtail, lost control and crossed over our lane in front of me and careened down the embankment to the right of me. Luckily the trailer stayed attached to the car and all the other drivers were able to skid to a stop without hitting each other or any of us.

As we move further east the farmland is more rolling which makes for a more interesting ride. We had lunch in West Concord where we met a vet named Aaron Wilson who was pedaling around town on a hand crank bike that allows him to pedal from a lay-down position. He said he is training for next year's Paralympics

The next 30 miles of the ride were on bumpy roads that passed many pig farms and then the final 5 miles were on a bike path that brought us into Rochester and the hotel.

Roadkill tally: 300

(Although frogs are not included in the roadkill stats we did ride over what I would consider the "Frog Highway of Death" where you could count dozens of flattened frogs from any place in the road.

Flats: 3

Hurts: Sore hands but they will be fine by morning.

Day 30: Worthington, MN to Mankato, MN - 103 miles with 1,000' of climbing

Following breakfast at Perkins we started out under threatening skies. The 103 miles were over more rolling terrain of fields full of corn and soybeans. We passed several wind farms as we rode through the towns of Brewster, Heron Lake, Wilder, Windom, Mt. Lake, St. James, Madelia, Lake Crystal and Mankato. (In Madelia the old City Hall building had been converted into a liquor store.) It was a fast day of riding with a lot of gradual downhills and even an occasional tailwind.

Roadkills: 287

Flats: 3

Hurts: Life is good.

Day 29: Sioux Falls, SD to Worthington, MN - 70 miles with only 1,300' of climbing

Today's ride started in a light rain as we wrapped our way through busy Sioux Falls along a bike path along side the Sioux River. As the sky darkened and the rain increased we put on our helmet covers, rain jacket, pants and booties. Just short of the Minnesota state line, Tom had a front tire flat. I had the distinction of getting the last flat in South Dakota and the first one in Minnesota due to a failing rim strip on the back wheel that allowed the tube to blowout through one of the spoke nipple holes in the rim. Jim, the mechanic, replaced the rim strip to get me back on the road. After 30 miles or so, the rain stopped and the skies cleared making the rest of the ride very enjoyable as we passed through small towns named Brandon, Manley, Beaver Creek, Luverne, Magnolia, Adrian and finally Worthington. The ride took us by a wind farm and many areas of beautifully maintained farms, buildings, lawns and parks.

Roadkills: 274

Flats: 3

Hurts: None

Day 28: Rest day in Sioux Falls, SD

Today with 1,989 miles behind us we take a rest day in Sioux Falls, SD. We are already beyond the half way point. I spent the day sleeping in, catching up on emails, returning phone calls, mailing some potential sponsors, replacing my chain and back tire (both had over 2,000 miles of wear), and relaxing around the hotel. Didn't even consider getting on the bike.
Roadkills: 266
Flats: 1
Hurts: All is good

Day 27: Mitchell, SD to Sioux Falls, SD - 72 miles with very little climbing

Last night we attended a rodeo in Mitchell. It had all the hoopla you would expect from a small town in South Dakota. There were bareback bronco contestants from various states hoping they were just an 8 second ride away from fame. Along the fence there were also many young cowboys and cowgirls in their favorite cowboy outfits cheering on their heroes

Today we rode another 72 miles on roads that wrapped through huge corporate farms of thousands of acres. The heat and humidity was very high making it a day that was tougher than we had expected. We are starting to pass through a few more towns now so at least there is an occasional store every 30 miles or so to get out of the heat and get something cold to drink.

Disclaimer: The roadkill stats are not some weird fascination with death it's just something to pass the time as we ride past mile after mile of seemingly identical farmland. That said.....

The previous daily roadkill count of 27 was shattered today with a count of 42 (Mostly raccoons and skunks who I think may be throwing themselves in the path of passing cars to escape the sweltering heat.)

Roadkills: 266

Flats: 1

Hurts: All is good

Day 26: Chamberlain, SD to Mitchell, SD - 70 miles with only 1000' of climbing

Today we rode through 70 more miles of corn, soybean, and wheat fields. The low mileage today allowed us the freedom to take our time and explore the small town of Plankinton, SD. It seems everyone we meet along the way is eager to talk to us. We stopped in town and met a man named Marv who asked us where we were riding to. He told us he used to be the football coach at the local high school, he invited us back for their annual Pheasant Fest in August and told us that last winter they had over 4' of snow. We also met a man who had a large lot and buildings full of architectural antiques, scrap wood, cast iron farm inplement parts and assorted junk. When he asked us where we were headed to and we told him eventually New Hampshire he said "You probably won't make it there by tonight." Once in Mitchell we visited the World Famous Corn Palace, no kidding.

Roadkill stats: 224

Flats: Still 1

Hurts: Sore quads.

Day 25: Pierre, SD to Chamberlain, SD - 84 miles with only 2,500' of climbing

Today's ride took us through the Lakota Indian Reservation and on into Chamberlain, a small town on the Missouri River. Much of the 84 miles covered were on rough roads through rolling hills of golden wheat and past many buildings that were well beyond their useful life. Once in town we showered, ate lunch, walked to the laundramat to wash all our clothes and explored town where I saw the "vac-truck service" logo pictured above. It was an easy 84 miles of riding with very few hills.

Roadkills: 212

Flats: 1

Hurts: Quads are sore due to yesterday's long day but the next 2 easy days should help them recover quickly.