Minnesota Mike's Ride Across America

Day 1, Friday, Sept. 5th, Crosslake, MN to Moose Lake, MN 81 miles

Was at cabin getting prepared and waiting for the weather to clear. Lots of rain was in the forecast for Thursday and into the evening so delayed start till Friday morning.

Left the cabin around 8:30am. A cold morning at 43 degrees, but the rain has stopped. It was so nice that some lake neighbors were waiting for me to ride by and wish me well.

Mostly a flat ride today, not many hills, pretty different from my start out west when I had mountain passes the first few days! Traffic was also light so that was nice. I ran into about five miles on a dirt/gravel road that was soggy from the previous days rain. Had to concentrate to not fall. Bike worked good, too much weight, but need all my camping gear for those nights where there is no lodging. Body felt good for the first day, legs, shoulders and neck are sore, but what do you expect when I did not put much time training in the saddle for this ride! Suppose to be cool the next few days, 39 degrees tomorrow morning in Moose Lake.

Day 2, Saturday, Sept. 6th. Moose Lake, MN to Solon Springs, MN 65 miles, Total miles 146

Day started calm with sunny skies albeit cool with temps in upper 30’s. Left Moose Lake on the Munger Trail for only about one mile before heading east on CR 8. Little did I know that it quickly turned to an unpaved gravel road for about ten miles, no cars/trucks, so that was really nice. I counted a dozen deer, many with their fawns grazing nearby. One deer bolted in front of me at full speed, startled me! It will be very colorful in a couple weeks when the leaves change more than they already are.

Still riding in my layers and long biking pants. The sun tried to stay out till mid morning, but I was keeping my eye on the dark clouds that were following me from the Duluth/Superior area. I am just south of Lake Superior on very country roads with no shoulder but very little traffic for a Saturday.

A few of the country roads I am riding turn into unpaved gravel roads. I tried to take more of a direct route into Solon Springs by riding on some atv/snowmobile trails. I bet I rode for 25 miles on bumpy gravel roads, not as fast as being on a hard surface.

Had some rain sprinkles throughout the day and then about 10 miles from Solon Springs the sky opened up with a downpour. I took cover in the woods by side of dirt road and waited it out for about half an hour. Rain jacket out and feeling sorry for myself! Need to be more ready for these showers. I was spoiled on first half of my ride out West with hardly any rain.

Made it to Solon Springs and got the last room available at the St. Croix Lodge. A wedding reception is happening, hopefully not too roudy of a night. I need some rest and drying out. Showered and hopped on my empty bike to ride to a bar for a pizza and beer. As I was settling my bill, a nice couple that have a cabin in the area sat next to me at the bar and heard my story, chatted for another 45 minutes and told them I need to get back to my motel before it gets too dark. They gave me a tip on place to stay for the next night on Namakagon Lake, the Garmisch USA resort.

Day 3, Sunday, Sept. 7th, Solon Springs, WI to Namakagon Lake, Garmisch USA Resort, 55miles, Total miles 201

Met the bride’s parents in the lobby while getting my cold breakfast. Said the wedding went smooth! Woke up to 35 degrees and fog, not safe to ride until the fog clears. Nice day for riding, still have my layers on but was able to shed my wind jacket. Legs feel pretty good, it’s my shoulders and neck that get stiff. I made an executive decision to take the google map bike route to Cable, WI, 41 miles, only a mile difference from the car route. Bad decision! Cycling route took me on atv/snowmobile trails that turned real sandy and lots of hills. My back tire keeps skidding out in the sand. Did not see anyone for over an hour,very peaceful riding through the forest.

Saw a bunch of deer but after about ten miles of sand/gravel I decided to bale from the unpaved road and find a way to get back on paved road. County roads much easier riding and hardly any traffic.

Made it into Cable about 1:30pm and grabbed a turkey wrap at the Velo Cafe, good food. Another 11 miles to Namakagon Lake. Rode into Garmisch Resort in time to watch the Packer/Lions game.

Day 4, Monday, Sept. 8th, Namakagon Lake to Mercer, WI, 70 miles, total miles 271

Started pedaling again with a sunny morning but quickly turned overcast. Windy conditions, had some headwinds but changed my riding direction and had it to my back for a few miles. Still very remote with just some small gas stations and convenience stores to stop in at when coming into towns that are really not towns but a few houses.

First morning I have not seen a dozen deer, maybe because I am in bear country? Ate my left over pizza and a hard boiled egg for lunch and was able to change into my riding shorts for the afternoon.

Rode into Mercer, WI by 4:30pm. Forecast is for thunderstorms tonight and rain throughout the day tomorrow, sounds like a good idea to hunker down and take a rest day. Not excited to ride in the rain, especially when it is suppose to be all day. Grabbed dinner at the hotel restaurant at Great Northern Motel and excited to watch the Vikings game vs. the Bears.