Three Centuries Down

We're in Mankato tonight. It was 102 miles from Worthington today, and fortunately flat. It certainly wasn't the most difficult century we've ridden, but I concluded that I really hate centuries. I can do 90 miles, even 95; but there's something about that century mark that is a psychological block.

As you can tell a century day is a day with total mileage of 100 miles or more. One of the riders completed her first century today. This is her second day with the group. We do another century tomorrow. A week ago I was struggling with the immediate high mileage coming in the middle of the ride. I expect the three new riders that joined in Sioux Falls may be as well. All look very strong, though. Hopefully, the days will get a bit easier after tomorrow.

There were eight riders that left the ride in Sioux Falls, back to the "real world."

The centuries out west are usually required to get to the next town. Not sure what the necessity is here, but it does allow us to stay in larger communities. Tomorrow we'll go to Rochester. We'll leave Minnesota, already, on Thursday.

As yesterday, we went through several small Minnesota communities today, and had several navigational challenges to overcome which breaks up the monotony of a long day. The route took us through Brewster, Heron Lake, Wilder, Windom, Mt. Lake, St. James, Madelia and Lake Crystal.

We ran into road construction at Madelia. The staff had been ahead of us and marked a detour for us. One of the detour turns appeared to take us down through some alleys. Not sure that's what they meant, but I guess it worked out for me as I wound up in Mankato at the end of the day.

Temperatures have cooled off here. We were only in the 80's today. It was wonderful. I hope these temperatures are finding their way south to many of you, as I know most of you have been experiencing this heat wave as well.

We did have a bit of wind to contend with today, but much more manageable than yesterday.

Sounds like we may have rain tomorrow. We'll see what happens tomorrow morning.
~Lisa