Milaca to Stillwater MN 106 miles

Well, yesterday I did it.  I biked 106 miles.  I began at 6:45am as I knew it would be a long day.  Many women of the group decided to start at the 40 mile point and rode 66 miles.  I knew it would be a challenge but like walking marathons, I knew if I just took it one mile at a time, I could do it.

I started the ride with fellow rider, Ramsey.  We had a good first 20 miles, but her pace was faster than I was comfortable.  I knew that for me to finish the 106, I needed to be slow and steady.  Our SAG (support) wagon was at every 20 miles, so we had good food and water replenishment.

I was alone in my thoughts for most of this ride.  About half way through, it dawned on me, that the last time I pedaled 106 miles was with Chris on the Seattle to Portland Ride in July 2006.  The second day of this 206 mile ride was 106 miles.  So, I talked with Chris and his spirit of adventure kept me going one pedal stroke at a time.  It was an emotional ride for me and an emotional finish.  I was cheered in by all of the women on the tour.

We started in Milaca MN and biked into Wisconsin for about 27 miles and then finished in Stillwater Minnesota.  The last 20 miles of this ride was challenging with some very long hills which after I had already biked 80+ miles was not a pleasant sight.

So many beautiful farms and homesteads.

More farms

Lots of American flags flying in the wind.

Cow crossing for sure!

Happy cows

Crossing the river into Wisconsin

Welcome to Wisconsin for a few miles

Beautiful willow trees on a Wisconsin farm

One of the 10,000 lakes of Minnesota

Cheers to me on finishing the 106 miles before dark.  10 1/2 hours of pedaling.

I could've taken pictures of 100's of barns & farms... as I am my daddy's daughter!

A few thoughts on the day.  Many folks in Minnesota & Wisconsin were out on their riding lawn mowers, mowing their lawns.  I got the feeling that it rained yesterday and will rain tomorrow, but for the day, it wasn't raining so they were taking advantage of the clear day.  Big expansive lawns abounded.

During such a long day, I heard:
My friend Shelly saying "pull" when I was hitting the hills.
My friend Lisa saying "you go girl!"
My friend Michelle saying "I'm so proud of you!"
My new friend Jeanette saying "stretch those arms".
My new friend Lea from Australia saying "don't grasp the handle bars so tight."
My new friend Karen reminding me to give my bike some good cleaning tomorrow....

The spirit of my dear husband telling me that "I can do it, I can ride 106 miles and I can best remember him by living large through life's great adventures!"

Today is our rest day and tomorrow we get back on our bikes.  Tomorrow we head to Wabasha MN which is 84 miles.

Onward!