Root River Trail, Minnesota

August 9, 2017

Lanesboro to Houston

63 miles

Hello, it's me. I haven't forgotten about my blog. This Spring and Summer has been very unusual and due to various reasons we have not been able to ride much. Therefore, nothing to blog about. Unfortunately, we were not able to check any new states off of our list this year but, at the last minute we decided that we could take a short bike trip to Southeast Minnesota. In 2012 we rode around the Twin Cities on the Grand Rounds Trail. Since that was an urban ride we thought we would try a country ride this time.

The Root River Trail reminds me of the Katy Trail in Missouri only not as long and paved. Just like the Katy Trail it has bluffs on one side of the trail and the river on the other side. Also, there are several small, quaint towns along the trail with many B&Bs and unique places to eat. Each having their own "one of a kind special item" that are hard to pass up!

This first day we are riding to the East to the town of Houston. We spent the first 26 miles enjoying the flat terrain then we hit what the map calls "relatively steep hills". Fortunately, it wasn't too bad and not very far, only a mile in length. Very manageable! It was lunch time when we arrived in Houston and we found Barista's Coffee House right across the street from the end of the trail. We ate Paninis outside on their covered porch. After lunch we headed back to Lanesboro. I was looking forward to stopping in Whalen to eat a slice of their "world famous pies" but, alas, the place was closed on Wednesday. Bad timing! This town is also famous for their "Stand Still Parade". There really is such a thing - Google it!

Wildlife seen today:

Rabbits

Deer

1 unfortunate chipmunk sort of animal (he ran under our tires!)

Rattlesnake (yes, it was sunning on the trail!)

An imposter bald eagle (a plastic one on a telephone pole)

August 10, 2017

Lanesboro to Harmony to Fountain

57 miles

We weren't going to ride as much today because the extended forecast had predicted rain for much of the day. Well, we woke up to beautiful weather so we decided to take advantage of another great riding day and go West from Lanesboro. After 5 miles you come to a junction in the trail. One way goes to Preston and then on to Harmony (18 miles) and the other way goes to Fountain (6.5 miles). We thought since it wasn't raining that we would go to Harmony because it would give us a longer ride and we could eat lunch there before coming back.

Once we got to Preston we encountered a section of the trail that was closed. It was fairly easy to get on the road and catch the trail again about half a mile later. According to the Trail website this section is closed due to a Trout Stream Habitat Project and they are going to reopen the trail August 12. We were just a few days too early!

Before we got to Harmony we came upon another section of trail labeled as "relatively steep hills", only this time they were quite difficult and it was about a 4 mile section. Our tired legs from yesterday's ride really struggled! I was more than ready to get to Harmony for a lunch break and it was only 11 a.m. We ate at Estelle's Eatery and Bar. Just like yesterday we sat outside on the porch for lunch. Beautiful day, delicious food and the sound of road construction, what more could you ask for? Seriously, even with the noise it was very enjoyable!

On the way back to Lanesboro, when we came to the junction, we had the great idea to go to Fountain. It was only 6.5 miles extra one way,  it was sunny and in the 70's. Also, then we could say we rode all of the Root River Trail. We knew we would be riding into the wind but what we didn't know was that the last 5 miles of the 6 and a half miles was a constant uphill (our trail map didn't tell us that information)! Riding to Fountain at the end of our day and under those conditions was challenging but we made it and the fantastic thing about it was we got to COAST for 5 miles coming back down!

We had two great riding days here. I would rank this trail in my top 3. I'm already wanting to come back.

Additional pictures from the NW bike trip

September 26, 2016

We have been back from our NW bike trip for a week now and we are slowly getting back into our normal routine. Last week was unseasonably warm and we managed to ride 70 miles. Last night a cold front came through our area and this week will be slightly cooler than the average. I feel like we need to take advantage of all the nice days because our bike riding for 2016 will end soon. Today we were able to ride 24 miles. The leaves are really starting to fall and cover the trails. It does pose a small problem, sometimes you can't see stick or limbs laying on the trail because they are covered by the leaves. We did hit a few today but fortunately they didn't cause any problems. 

You know it's Fall when..........

You have to stop and clean your sprocket several times while riding!

Below are several additional pictures from our trip that weren't included in the blog write ups. Thought I would give you some extra tidbits from our rides.

Before the trip I decided to make license plates for both our bike and Tom and Susan's bike. I thought it would be a great conversational ice breaker while we rode the trails. We only had 1 person notice them and come up to us and ask about why we were riding there. This person was a very unique individual and liked to talk, and talk, and talk! So, I'm not sure we will leave the license plate on, it didn't turn out to be that great of an idea.

This sign was on the Banks Vernonia Trail. We blazed right by it while thinking "how bad could it be?" Well, this was the downhill part of the 11% grade with switchbacks. It got pretty scary and I made a mental note that we would definitely get off and walk the bikes on the return trip back to Banks. One of the main reasons I get so scared is because our feet are locked onto the pedals so if we start to go over you can't stick your foot out to catch yourself. 

We had two days that were particularly cold for me. But, even worse than the cold was for it to be cold and rainy! We have been so fortunate on our trips and have only had to ride in the rain 1 day. The picture above was taken at the Grand Tetons. You can tell by the wet parking lot that it had been raining. The rain stopped for several hours and we were able to get our ride in. I have never been so bundled up on a ride!

Tom was our designated bike holders while we stopped to eat blackberries and take pictures. We couldn't believe how many blackberry bushes were along the trail in Washington. There were also lots of apple trees here and in Oregon that we saw from the trail.

This picture was taken as we were driving in to Grand Teton National Park. This particular area was call the "Sensitive Wildlife Area". We were so thrilled to see more moose (we had seen 1 in Idaho also). We kept looking for bear but never saw any. A ranger at the visitor center tried to sell us bear spray but I didn't think I needed to spend $60 dollars for a can. All Clay and I would need to do was pedal faster than Tom and Susan if we ran into a bear! 

We drove 5200 miles and biked 200 miles. We have now ridden in 39 states. We have nine states in the NE, Hawaii and Alaska left. We are presently talking about where we will go next and when. It's always fun to start planning our next adventure! (Above photo taken by Susan Weaver)

Grand Teton Multi-use Pathway, Wyoming

September 14, 2016
14 miles

The day started out cold and rainy. But the forecast showed that there would be a break in the rain around 10:30 to early afternoon. We loaded the bikes and headed for Grand Teton National Park. We figured if we were at the park when the clouds broke we could hop on our bikes and get a ride in without getting wet. Our first stop was the visitor center. While there the rain did stop and we even saw a rainbow. A sign that it was time to ride.

We drove to Jenny Lake, unloaded our bikes and got everything ready. Clay went to put his biking shoes on and they weren't in the car. He'd left them back at the condo, which was 45 minutes away. He would have to ride in his running shoes and not be clipped in. We started out South, going downhill into the wind. It was 45 degrees and pretty cold. I had dressed warmly but my hands and face were very cold. But, I was so thankful that it wasn't raining! We followed the bike trail down to the ranger station at Moose, turned around, and went back to Jenny Lake. Going back with the wind at our backs was so nice and I wasn't cold anymore. I couldn't believe how much difference it made. When we finished our ride the sun was still shining so we ate our lunch at a picnic table at the Jenny Lake Trailhead. 

 The rain had stopped and we had some fabulous views!

 Passed some antelope playing on the range.

 Jenny Lake

Before heading back to the condo we drove around Grand Teton National Park to enjoy more of the scenery. Just as we turned the car around to head back to the condo it started raining again. I never would have guessed that today would have turned out to be so perfect!

Jackson Lake, from Signal Mountain.

We ended our day by having dinner at the Bar J Chuckwagon Supper & Western Show. So much fun to eat a cowboy dinner and hear these men sing western songs. They are very talented and I highly recommend their show if you are in the Jackson Hole area.

Great Northern Historical Trail, Montana

September 12, 2016
22 miles

Spent the morning driving around Glacier National Park. Absolutely beautiful! We did get into some snow and parts of the road were closed due to the weather but, we enjoyed what we saw.

Our bike ride started later in the afternoon when it was suppose to hit the high for the day, which was 57 degrees. It was partly cloudy and breezy so it would feel even cooler to me. I dressed as warm as I could. Two pairs of socks, 3 pants, 2 shirts, 2 jackets, a muffler, earmuffs and my long fingered gloves. I was quite fluffy but I stayed warm!

We started our ride in Kalispell and went south to Somers. The trail followed a road so there was a lot of traffic noise. The views to the distance were of the mountains and it was gorgeous. Some of mountains had a dusting of snow at the peaks. Overall it was a nice trail and I rode more than I expected since it was so cold.

Interesting bicycle seat at the Wheaton Bike Store, Kalispell, Montana

Trail of the Coeur d'Alene

September 10, 2016
58 miles

Our day started out cold (48 degrees) but we shouldn't expect otherwise since we are pretty far north. By 10 a.m., the temperature had risen to the low 60's. I dressed in many layers, wore my full fingered gloves, and earmuffs and was very comfortable. We are staying in Harrison, Idaho and our cabin is right on Lake Coeur d'Alene. In this section, the trail runs right beside the lake and is basically right out our front door. The only problem is the path down to the trail is very steep so we ride into town where there is a road going right down to the trail. Since we are staying along the trail and not at one end or the other, we decided that we would do two rides today; one to the NE, and later, another ride to the SW.  

The views are breathtaking! It is so crisp and clear. Smelling the pine-scented air was invigorating. We made many stops to enjoy the scenery. Each time we stopped I would shed an article of clothing as it was quickly warming up. We rode until lunch time, found a picnic table at a trailhead and enjoyed eating our lunch outside. On the way back to Harrison we spotted a young moose out in a swampy area. We looked for the parents but never spotted them.

Arriving back in Harrison we decided to spend a few hours resting before biking down the trail in the other direction. We discovered that there was a classic car show going on. Clay and Tom went looking at the cars and Susan and I went shopping. All were happy!

We started our second biking trip today just after 4 p.m. and it was 80 degrees. By this time, I was in shorts and a sleeveless jersey. Hard to believe that this morning I was dressed for cold weather. Biking the trail in the SW direction we stayed right along the lake. More beautiful views! What a perfect day it has been. Tomorrow we head to Montana and colder weather. I may be wearing ALL my biking clothes to stay warm!

Chehalis Western Trail, Washington

September 8, 2016
43 miles

We got an early start this morning. Left Beaverton, Oregon by 8 a.m. and got in Portland rush hour traffic. I would sure hate to deal with that every morning. I can see now why so many people in Portland ride a bicycle! Our drive to Lacey, Washington was a short commute, about 2.5 hours. We were able to check into the VRBO early. Our plan was to unload our luggage and then start our bike ride. Everything was going as planned until it was time to air up the bike tires. Apparently, Tom has issues with tire pumps. He likes to break them! And, unfortunately, it happened today. (Sorry Paul, you'll be getting a new pump). So by the time we replaced the pump and ate lunch it wasn't until 1:15 that we actually started riding. This is two days in a row now that we've had issues that have delayed us. Hope we aren't setting a precedent here.

The trail today was very nice. It was extra wide and overall the trail was pretty flat, with a few exceptions. Both yesterday and today were basically the same distance but today we averaged 2 mph faster than yesterday. Hills will do that to you! Just like yesterday's trail, today there were lots of trees, shrubs, ferns, bushes, etc. that we enjoyed as we rode. I don't know why but I am very enthralled with all the ferns. We did have a little mishap today. We ran over a snake. Clay tried to avoid it but, unfortunately, it was impossible and the snake did not survive. Tomorrow is a travel day which will probably be good. A few of us are suffering from blisters and leg cramps so I think we need a day of rest!

 North end of the Trail

 Lots of Blackberry Bushes, Clay enjoying a snack.

 Bicycle Roundabout

 Have you seen this commercial? Well, it happened to me!

Toward the end of the ride, enjoying the scenery and weather.

Banks Vernonia Trail, Oregon

September 7, 2016
43 miles

 Car Trouble

Today didn't start out as planned. We were all loaded and ready to leave for our ride when the car wouldn't start. So, 2 hours and a new battery later we were on our way. Despite starting out with problems it turned out to be a wonderful day and this is one of the best trails I have ridden.

 Happy People

This trail starts in Banks, Oregon and goes to Vernonia, Oregon, approximately 21 miles. That means if we want to ride the whole trail we go all the way to Vernonia and then back to Banks, making it a 43 mile ride. Even though we got a later than expected start we still had plenty of time to bike the whole thing. Today we packed a lunch to eat somewhere along the trail. We found a lovely picnic spot and enjoyed eating al fresco.

 Great Advice

From Banks the trail gradually climbs and then there is a steep grade down, you cross a road, and then there is an 11% switchback climb back up the other side. We did take this signs advice and walk with our bike. Since the tandem is longer than a regular bike it makes going through the switchbacks very harrowing and the stoker (me) wanted to walk, and remember, it's the captains (Clay) job to make the stoker happy.

Below are some pictures taken on the trail today. It was very beautiful, therefore, I took lots of pictures. Here are a few of my favorites.

 Trees 

(I thought they were pretty so I had to get a picture)

 Tree Canopy with Fern Ground Cover

Buxton Trestle

(700-foot long, 80-foot high)

Perfect Picnic Day