We had planned to start our trip today after work. We hoped to leave the city by 4pm, but didn’t get moving until closer to 5:15pm. My friend Mike was almost right that we were going to leave at 6pm instead of 4. I wanted to leave at earlier to maximize the daylight. I don’t like riding in rural areas at dusk/night because of deer and poor visibility.
We headed north west on US10 to get out of the city quickly, but only managed to get stuck in traffic instead. The first 30 miles of our trip took over an hour!
We stopped to rest at the Babcock Park on the bank of the Mississippi River in Elk River, MN. I was here last year with my Ural. It looks much nicer with everything green rather than brown.
Ural in December:
SV650 today (August)
The rest of the ride to Wadena was pretty uneventful until we found these beautiful fields of sunflowers. We had to stop and get a picture. Too bad they were facing the wrong way.
Another field appeared further along, but it was getting pretty dark.
A beautiful sunset today.
We finally made it to Park Rapids about 9:30pm after riding 192 miles today. The last few miles were quite cold. Mesh coats on a naked bike and 65F don’t mix well. We were both frozen by the time we reached a hotel.
Tomorrow: Lake Itasca and the beginning of the Great River Road.
Related Posts:
- Great River Ride – The Plan
- Great River Ride – The Bike Prep
- Great River Ride – Day 1 – To Park Rapids, MN
- Great River Ride – Day 2 – The Mississippi Headwaters
- Great River Ride – Day 3 – Leaving Minnesota
- Great River Ride – Day 4 – Iowa
- Great River Ride – Day 5 – Into Missouri
- Great River Ride – Day 6 – Five States in One Day
- Great River Ride – Day 7 – Memphis and Mississippi
- Great River Ride – Day 8 – Louisiana
- Great River Ride – Day 9 – Rain and the Gulf
- Great River Ride – Day 10 – Mobile & Pensacola
- Great River Ride – Day 11 – To Birmingham
- Great River Ride – Day 12 – Sweet Tea and Sweetwater
- Great River Ride – Day 13 – Cherohala Dragons
- Great River Ride – Day 14 – In Threes
- Great River Ride – Day 15 – OH-555 and AMA Museum
- Great River Ride – Day 16 – US-30
- Great River Ride – Day 17 – Leaving Indiana
- Great River Ride – Day 18 – Chicago and Sojourner
- Great River Ride – Day 19 – Madison to Minneapolis
- Great River Ride – Reflections
I am glad to see that you made it out of the city ok, albeit slightly later than planned. Have fun and enjoy the river!
ReplyDeleteWell, it was a semi good start! Cold is not fun. The sunflowers and sunset are beautiful anytime! I hope the weather is perfect and you have a great day!
ReplyDeleteRide Safe!
Where did you end up staying in PR?
ReplyDeleteGary: Thanks! That's traveling, not quite starting when you planned.
ReplyDeleteEve: Yea, I forgot how cool northern MN is. I should have known better. The sky is clear blue when I look out the window. Can't wait to get going!
Jonn: Super8. It was the cheapest. We wanted to stay on the Lake, but it was getting really dark.
Chris:
ReplyDeleteglad you finally got out of the city. We have the same problem with unpredictable traffic patterns which can slow you down.
couldn't you get one of those generic windscreens ? It would do wonders to stop the rain, cold air, bugs . . .
thanks for bringing us along on your vacation adventure.
bob
Wet Coast Scootin
I echo Bob, thanks for bringing us along on your vacation. And, it wouldn't be traveling if it didn't demand flexibility.
ReplyDeleteWave to me as you pass St. Louis. And, may you have a journey filled with only pleasant surprises.
~Keith
I'm amazed that you had the energy to get moving after work. Glad you got out. I could feel the cold and it was a good feeling--even if you did freeze a little. ;-)
ReplyDeleteBob: Aren't cars fun? :\
ReplyDeleteKeith: Yes, making the trip up as you go is best
Sharon: We've been waiting for this ride since January. No problem with energy after work. Paying attention the last day at work was VERY hard.