6/7/2011 Ham Lake to Prescott, WI. Perfect day, 134km, 7.5hrs, 1705 total (video is Coons Rapids)
After a breakfast of pancakes and eggs at Kens after a couple of days of relaxation and great hospitality, I said goodbye and headed off for Inver Grove Heights, south of the twin cities. It was just the best day.
On arrivall at Coon Rapids Dam I was back on the trail. I met this guy Elliott who was out for a ride. He was going the same direction as me and kindly said he would show me all these bike trails.
He parted after about an hour or so, along the way he spotted firstly a $1 note then a $10 note, he was wrapped. A free breakfast was on the cards from him, courteous of the bike path. He made it so easy as the trail was broken up with suburban streets.
Squirrels everywhere crossing the road and trails, they have bushy tails while chipmunks dont.
The ride all the way from Coon Rapids Dam (title photo) was all bike track. Riding through Minneapolis on the trail alongside the grand river was such a pleasure.
The river is now negotiating any number of man made structures from numerous bridges to dams and spillways. The untamed stretches however still more than convey her beauty and grandeur, whether in the city or rural environs
South of St Paul the first river barges were spotted, ever so big. A tug was pushing 4 up stream at the time, it was a slow exercise. The trail took me along the top of the levee, consequently the outlook was very commanding.
I stopped at the Sea Salt restaurant for a fish dish, a cyclist had said they do the best fish. Anyway word was out, there was a que to get in so I settled for a devine coconut chocalate chip ice cream in the cone and just chilled on the steps watching people dine.
At Inver Grove Heights I was in ultra thirst mode and Pulled in at a Super America servo. They serve 7up in mega cups for 69c, a few of these is my fix when in this state.
The first few hills are now being negotiated, sweat city.
Reading the guide book a recommendation to ride a 200 mile loop along the Wisconsin side of the MR is suggested. Why not. It takes me to La Crosse. bridging the MR on US10 I crossed the MN state line. By the way Bob Dylan was a Minnesota boy, born at Duluth. The need to be in Prescott in WI to commence this loop had to be fulfilled so I set off following some directions, saw plenty of back streets believe me.
Ending up on US 10 which is a freeway and bloody busy, I felt very insignificant in such a car orientated environment. This got me to the Prescott exit about 2000hrs
No camp grounds were about so a bit of furtive camping was needed in the bush, a good spot was found, I had a brew, showered under the portable shower, it was dodgey but just enough to get the stickiness off. Hit the nest about 2130hrs pleasantly relaxed.
After a breakfast of pancakes and eggs at Kens after a couple of days of relaxation and great hospitality, I said goodbye and headed off for Inver Grove Heights, south of the twin cities. It was just the best day.
On arrivall at Coon Rapids Dam I was back on the trail. I met this guy Elliott who was out for a ride. He was going the same direction as me and kindly said he would show me all these bike trails.
He parted after about an hour or so, along the way he spotted firstly a $1 note then a $10 note, he was wrapped. A free breakfast was on the cards from him, courteous of the bike path. He made it so easy as the trail was broken up with suburban streets.
Squirrels everywhere crossing the road and trails, they have bushy tails while chipmunks dont.
The ride all the way from Coon Rapids Dam (title photo) was all bike track. Riding through Minneapolis on the trail alongside the grand river was such a pleasure.
The river is now negotiating any number of man made structures from numerous bridges to dams and spillways. The untamed stretches however still more than convey her beauty and grandeur, whether in the city or rural environs
South of St Paul the first river barges were spotted, ever so big. A tug was pushing 4 up stream at the time, it was a slow exercise. The trail took me along the top of the levee, consequently the outlook was very commanding.
I stopped at the Sea Salt restaurant for a fish dish, a cyclist had said they do the best fish. Anyway word was out, there was a que to get in so I settled for a devine coconut chocalate chip ice cream in the cone and just chilled on the steps watching people dine.
At Inver Grove Heights I was in ultra thirst mode and Pulled in at a Super America servo. They serve 7up in mega cups for 69c, a few of these is my fix when in this state.
The first few hills are now being negotiated, sweat city.
Reading the guide book a recommendation to ride a 200 mile loop along the Wisconsin side of the MR is suggested. Why not. It takes me to La Crosse. bridging the MR on US10 I crossed the MN state line. By the way Bob Dylan was a Minnesota boy, born at Duluth. The need to be in Prescott in WI to commence this loop had to be fulfilled so I set off following some directions, saw plenty of back streets believe me.
Ending up on US 10 which is a freeway and bloody busy, I felt very insignificant in such a car orientated environment. This got me to the Prescott exit about 2000hrs
No camp grounds were about so a bit of furtive camping was needed in the bush, a good spot was found, I had a brew, showered under the portable shower, it was dodgey but just enough to get the stickiness off. Hit the nest about 2130hrs pleasantly relaxed.