T1 Day 35 (Liz)

 7/11/23

Today we left Minnesota! It went by too fast and I’m sad to see it go. Minnesota was particularly special for me because of family. I am so grateful to have family who will go out of their way to support me. Hands down my favorite part of Minnesota was getting to see my grandma (followed closely by getting to bike with Rick and Kathy). I had been looking forward to seeing her for days and I couldn’t stop smiling! (Thank you guys for finding me, love you!)


We started this morning at the Bicycle Bunkhouse in Dalbo, MN. Our host, Donn, came over to drink coffee and chat about our route ahead. He is one cool dude and makes me want to open a bicycle bunkhouse. Then we were off to Wisconsin!


The first 45 miles we winded through backroads. After about 30 miles of taking rights and lefts it kind of felt like we were getting nowhere. But we filled time by chatting about what everyone dislikes most about biking cross country (which generated some interesting answers). We saw a flock of guinea fowl which made me happy. At one point I said “this is exactly what I pictured Wisconsin to look like” and then Keelin reminded me that we were actually still in Minnesota.


Eventually we made it to Taylor Falls on the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin. We stopped for chia pudding and drinks (and we snagged some condiments for tomorrows tuna sandwich).


Once in Wisconsin, we immediately started climbing. We then detoured around a busy highway and ended up climbing one of the steepest hills we’ve had this trip. Rough start for Wisconsin! But we eventually made it to the Gandy Dancer bike path. Kayla and I thought it would be a fun experiment to switch bikes on the gravel bike path. Turns out they feel a lot different! Gotta try Keelin’s bike next. 


Finally we made it to a nice city park in Balsam Lake, WI, where we set up tents, made dinner, and crawled into bed. 




Minnesota recap:

We had a wonderful time in Minnesota. Not only were we on bike trails for 2 of the 4 days, but we met the kindest people along the way (family and strangers). We stayed in wonderful places and ate great food. Weather was perfect. Can’t ask for much more!


Favorite lodging:

Kayla: Dalbo Bicycle Bunkhouse

Keelin: Mike and Lexi’s

Liz: Mike and Lexi’s


Favorite meal:

Kayla: sandwiches at Art in Motion

Keelin: Lexi’s breakfast

Liz: ice cream with Grandma


Favorite gear:

Kayla: cycling cap

Keelin: pocket knife for cheese cutting and butter scooping

Liz: new bike lights (thanks Rick!)


Favorite town:

Kayla: Sauk Center

Keelin: Taylors Falls

Liz: Sauk Center


Weather

Kayla 9.75

Keelin 9.75

Liz 10


Scenery

Kayla 7.5

Keelin 8.5

Liz 8.5


Bikability

Kayla 9

Keelin 8.5

Liz 9.25


Lodging

Kayla 9

Keelin 8.75

Liz 9.5

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