Three Island Lake to Itasca State Park, 92k,18.23 av. 5hrs
The day looked promising weather wise. Now that I'm getting more organized and that the ranger had been obliging I hit the frog about 0800 for Bemidgi and onto Itasca State Park where the M headwaters are to be found.
The aggregate the highways are constructed with is very is very small which provides a finished surface that is very smooth, its great. Again the shoulder all the way was at least 2m wide.
Bemidji was a good destination to get some food for a couple of days in the park.
The local supermarket provided me with fresh fruit and veges, herbal tea stir fry ingredients and a celebratory bottle of wine for that evening in the park. I bought a new stand at the local bike shop, it’s much more robust.
Stopped for water where some guiys were building a house, had a lengthy yarn and laugh and told them of my website. They informed me that a while ago a guy tried to swim down the M. They didnt know how he got on. I later heard he went missing at the first lock!! Just kidding.
It started raining with about 1 hrs riding before I got to the park, I didn't bother putting WW gear on due to previous experience with persperation. Upon arrival I booked 2 nights in a walk in site $20/night. Anyway it started pouring, the need for shelter was paramount so proceeded to erect my humble abode. A tricky situation trying to water out of the panniers .A shade structure of a neighboring camper was utilized to keep water from inside the panniers. Anyway it went smoothly. The hillberg tarp is a god send, I set it up with a large portion over the enterance way to keep stuff dry I didnt want in the tent.
Once organized some smoked oysters, swiss cheese and biscuits were great. I am now going to have my main meal whether its steak, pasta or whatever in the mornings. It is the best way to avoid running out of energy on the road. If I’m going to be hungry,it’s better to be so at camp than en route.
I shared my bottle of wine with a guy and his son who were camped across from me. Little more than half a bot was ample sufficiency. About 2030 I hit the nest, worn out and pleasantly relaxed. The rain had stopped. I was asleep almost instantly. Bloody hell, at some ridiculous hour a thunder clap loud enough to rock my air bed announced itself, this was followed by rain as haeavy as any sub tropical down pour at home.
I’m pleased to say the tent remained dry. Eventually I drifted off to the rain as it eased.
The camp ground is really well appointed with hot showers, cycle tracks everywhere and really well sign posted within its confines. Most facilities are on the East shore of Lake Itasca. Ther are some seroiusly large RVs in situ. Its dog friendly much to my disappointment. Another camper nearby was encouraging his dog to chase a squirrel. The dog treed the little character and sat at the foot of the tree looking up, hope it got a sore neck.
The bike is now much better balanced as I am starting to get into a routine with packing. Riding is now so much more enjoyable without the padded pants. My grion environment is so much more aerobic.
The day looked promising weather wise. Now that I'm getting more organized and that the ranger had been obliging I hit the frog about 0800 for Bemidgi and onto Itasca State Park where the M headwaters are to be found.
The aggregate the highways are constructed with is very is very small which provides a finished surface that is very smooth, its great. Again the shoulder all the way was at least 2m wide.
Bemidji was a good destination to get some food for a couple of days in the park.
The local supermarket provided me with fresh fruit and veges, herbal tea stir fry ingredients and a celebratory bottle of wine for that evening in the park. I bought a new stand at the local bike shop, it’s much more robust.
Stopped for water where some guiys were building a house, had a lengthy yarn and laugh and told them of my website. They informed me that a while ago a guy tried to swim down the M. They didnt know how he got on. I later heard he went missing at the first lock!! Just kidding.
It started raining with about 1 hrs riding before I got to the park, I didn't bother putting WW gear on due to previous experience with persperation. Upon arrival I booked 2 nights in a walk in site $20/night. Anyway it started pouring, the need for shelter was paramount so proceeded to erect my humble abode. A tricky situation trying to water out of the panniers .A shade structure of a neighboring camper was utilized to keep water from inside the panniers. Anyway it went smoothly. The hillberg tarp is a god send, I set it up with a large portion over the enterance way to keep stuff dry I didnt want in the tent.
Once organized some smoked oysters, swiss cheese and biscuits were great. I am now going to have my main meal whether its steak, pasta or whatever in the mornings. It is the best way to avoid running out of energy on the road. If I’m going to be hungry,it’s better to be so at camp than en route.
I shared my bottle of wine with a guy and his son who were camped across from me. Little more than half a bot was ample sufficiency. About 2030 I hit the nest, worn out and pleasantly relaxed. The rain had stopped. I was asleep almost instantly. Bloody hell, at some ridiculous hour a thunder clap loud enough to rock my air bed announced itself, this was followed by rain as haeavy as any sub tropical down pour at home.
I’m pleased to say the tent remained dry. Eventually I drifted off to the rain as it eased.
The camp ground is really well appointed with hot showers, cycle tracks everywhere and really well sign posted within its confines. Most facilities are on the East shore of Lake Itasca. Ther are some seroiusly large RVs in situ. Its dog friendly much to my disappointment. Another camper nearby was encouraging his dog to chase a squirrel. The dog treed the little character and sat at the foot of the tree looking up, hope it got a sore neck.
The bike is now much better balanced as I am starting to get into a routine with packing. Riding is now so much more enjoyable without the padded pants. My grion environment is so much more aerobic.
Snapping turle, so called because of their powerful jaw action, capable of breaking fingers. This one depositing eggs in the soil.
Typical cycle track environ within the park
Breakfast
