 Outlet Lake Winnibigoshish |
 Typical conditions today |
 The Misi-ziibi, river spead out all over |
 Minnesota, home of these barns and John Deere |
 Percherons bred in France, used to haul White Pine, early 1900's. Huge, up to 907kg. Brave animals. Clydesdale came later, we were told they were really only good for hauling beer kegs!!! |
 Snow and ice shoes |
28/6/2011 Bena to Grand Rapids, 108km, 5hrs, Fine 26 C. Total1079Km
Things were still really wet, the forecast was correct, what appeared to be a perfect day was in the making.
A shower was enjoyed with a brew of coffee prepared in the shower room. The bike had been locked in here over night. The bike cover does not offer protection from heavy rain unfortunately. The leather seat was soaked. Out of the weather was the only way to help it dry.
The tarp was still wet on both sides, one from dew, one from condensation. It recieved a good shaking and was packed, It is quite heavy when like this.
I have to admit I was not disappointed to be leaving Bena. The day was indeed going to be one out of the bag.
About 12 miles into the journey to GR the Gosh Dam Place was encountered at the corner of County roads 46 & 9.
An 8oz steak with the almost find a breakfast without them,hash browns and scrambled eggs was immensely enjoyed. The steak was peppered and cooked to beyond my standards.
Groups of middle aged fishermen were dining also. Classic scenes of good mates on a fishing trip.
The riding was brilliant from here, good shoulders, no traffic and woodlands, only occassionally interrupted by a dwelling. What a pleasure, anything that caught my eye was recorded.
The only noise was that of the apparent wind and an ever so quiet hum of tyres on the road surface. Mechanical noises from the bike were almost non existent. The chain almost slithered around the cogs. Gear changing in conjunction with no pressure applied to the pedals contributed to the atmosphere.
Upon close inspection of the road surface which is so smooth, I found that the upper portion of the aggregate, protruding from the aphalt had been shaved off during snow ploughing operations. It was like riding on our asphalt driveway in Coffs.
Many roads had cracks at right angles to the direction of the road, these extended the full width and were filled with silastic.
A contractor I met in a bar here in GR informed me that these are formed due to the soil freezing beneath the asphalt. Asphalt though cracking does remain malleable.
The asphalt thickness can be up to 300mm deep to minimize this cracking. He remembered me on US 71 on my way down from IF, they were resurfacing 22m north of Northome.
On the outskirts of GR the Forest History Centre offers an insight into all aspects of the era in which the White Pine ( Pinus strobusI) was logged in the early 1900’s.
Horses and men worked in extreme conditions, even today they log the low lying areas in winter as the ice provides access for heavy machinery.
An informative display provided an understanding of the significance of this industry in the past and today.
Minnesota is 54,000,000 acres in size, 1/3 is forest, 15 million acres are classed as timbered and can be logged. The rest is State and Nat Parks and can’t be harvested.
This centre is well worth a visit. The girl there photocopied the next few days route guides for me which was appreciated.
A quote by Frank Lloyd Wright spotted during the tour read: “The best friend on earth of man is the tree, when we use the tree respectfully and economically we have one of the greatest reserves on earth”.
Grand Rapids is located on US2 & 169, with the MR runnning through town with a huge paper mill right on the river. The water colour unlike that beneath the bridge where the kids were fishing is now dark and flows with purpose. There is a dam at the paper mill. Obviously it’s contents help in the manufacture of paper. The water as it spills from the dam has a white foam on its surface as it continues its journey east under the bridge.
All towns have their town water stored in huge elevated reservoirs. Ground water is pumped up here to provide town pressure. Neither the ground water or this elevated storage can freeze during winter. GR has a couple of these towers.
Had an easy afternoon, ate just the best crisp new seasons nectarines and cheap bananas.
The bath tub at the Forest Lake Motel was the scene of some hand washing, all was dry before night fall. I had stuff hanging everywhere outside my room, the owner didn’t mind.
So in 5 nights accomadation costs were:
Bush camp Walker $0
3 nights tent Bena @ $16.50= $49.50
1 night GR @ $49.00
Totalling $96.00
These kind of costs or lack there of make for a sustainable journey from a financial perspective.
About $10-$20/ day is being spent on food. These bar and grill places are great value and all have their own special atmosphere which is great.
Things were still really wet, the forecast was correct, what appeared to be a perfect day was in the making.
A shower was enjoyed with a brew of coffee prepared in the shower room. The bike had been locked in here over night. The bike cover does not offer protection from heavy rain unfortunately. The leather seat was soaked. Out of the weather was the only way to help it dry.
The tarp was still wet on both sides, one from dew, one from condensation. It recieved a good shaking and was packed, It is quite heavy when like this.
I have to admit I was not disappointed to be leaving Bena. The day was indeed going to be one out of the bag.
About 12 miles into the journey to GR the Gosh Dam Place was encountered at the corner of County roads 46 & 9.
An 8oz steak with the almost find a breakfast without them,hash browns and scrambled eggs was immensely enjoyed. The steak was peppered and cooked to beyond my standards.
Groups of middle aged fishermen were dining also. Classic scenes of good mates on a fishing trip.
The riding was brilliant from here, good shoulders, no traffic and woodlands, only occassionally interrupted by a dwelling. What a pleasure, anything that caught my eye was recorded.
The only noise was that of the apparent wind and an ever so quiet hum of tyres on the road surface. Mechanical noises from the bike were almost non existent. The chain almost slithered around the cogs. Gear changing in conjunction with no pressure applied to the pedals contributed to the atmosphere.
Upon close inspection of the road surface which is so smooth, I found that the upper portion of the aggregate, protruding from the aphalt had been shaved off during snow ploughing operations. It was like riding on our asphalt driveway in Coffs.
Many roads had cracks at right angles to the direction of the road, these extended the full width and were filled with silastic.
A contractor I met in a bar here in GR informed me that these are formed due to the soil freezing beneath the asphalt. Asphalt though cracking does remain malleable.
The asphalt thickness can be up to 300mm deep to minimize this cracking. He remembered me on US 71 on my way down from IF, they were resurfacing 22m north of Northome.
On the outskirts of GR the Forest History Centre offers an insight into all aspects of the era in which the White Pine ( Pinus strobusI) was logged in the early 1900’s.
Horses and men worked in extreme conditions, even today they log the low lying areas in winter as the ice provides access for heavy machinery.
An informative display provided an understanding of the significance of this industry in the past and today.
Minnesota is 54,000,000 acres in size, 1/3 is forest, 15 million acres are classed as timbered and can be logged. The rest is State and Nat Parks and can’t be harvested.
This centre is well worth a visit. The girl there photocopied the next few days route guides for me which was appreciated.
A quote by Frank Lloyd Wright spotted during the tour read: “The best friend on earth of man is the tree, when we use the tree respectfully and economically we have one of the greatest reserves on earth”.
Grand Rapids is located on US2 & 169, with the MR runnning through town with a huge paper mill right on the river. The water colour unlike that beneath the bridge where the kids were fishing is now dark and flows with purpose. There is a dam at the paper mill. Obviously it’s contents help in the manufacture of paper. The water as it spills from the dam has a white foam on its surface as it continues its journey east under the bridge.
All towns have their town water stored in huge elevated reservoirs. Ground water is pumped up here to provide town pressure. Neither the ground water or this elevated storage can freeze during winter. GR has a couple of these towers.
Had an easy afternoon, ate just the best crisp new seasons nectarines and cheap bananas.
The bath tub at the Forest Lake Motel was the scene of some hand washing, all was dry before night fall. I had stuff hanging everywhere outside my room, the owner didn’t mind.
So in 5 nights accomadation costs were:
Bush camp Walker $0
3 nights tent Bena @ $16.50= $49.50
1 night GR @ $49.00
Totalling $96.00
These kind of costs or lack there of make for a sustainable journey from a financial perspective.
About $10-$20/ day is being spent on food. These bar and grill places are great value and all have their own special atmosphere which is great.
Little things like this add to make riding all the more enjoyable. Flat topped agregate in the asphalt.
