Day 69 Hutchinson to Minneapolis 112km

Better than an alarm clock, we are woken this early morning by the honking of the many geese as they waddle around the campground, foraging breakfast. They aren't the only ones, the squirrels are also harvesting acorns and Kerstin and I know we have become a little more local when we are eating coffee and donuts for breakfast! (don't worry too much, we had yoghurt and muesli as well). The Luce Line trail should take us all the way into Minneapolis, without once having to ride the highway, this is my kind of riding!


And I happily tootle along pointing out to a very patient Kerstin the frogs, the ducks, the squirrels, that particularly beautiful tree or lovely shade of green. She has the bicycle computer and is anxious we pedal faster, as the pace on the gravel trail is slow, I just point out to her that at least the trees protect us from yet another day of headwind, and pedal a little bit faster ;) I am enjoying the trail so much, that I even refuse to get off it when a sign says trail closed ahead, a mile in I do actually stop at the bridge is out sign. And using my best smile and australian accent the two construction blokes working on the burnt out bridge offer to help us carry our bikes and gear over the plank they are using to cross the creek.


Another fantastic experience with the locals, and lots of fun to boot! I think we all enjoyed an unexpected break from our routines. Just a few miles further on we would meet another pair of cycling travelers. Sisters from Seattle, on a cross country trip from guess where??? Boston! Melanie and Trillian share of their experiences, town, route and reading recommendations are traded in both directions. Melanie has been on the road for a year, bicycling through SE Asia, South America, Turkey and now heading home. They warn that the trail ahead descends into a very poorly kept field, but we are confident we can handle the challenge. And for half a mile or so, we challenge ourselves with riding through the Minnesotan jungle.


Only to pop out in a field of soy beans surrounded by no trespassing signs! We wind our way into Winsted, and locate the other end of the trail heading east, and in a much better state of repair. But with 30 miles still to Minneapolis we refuel and put our feet down (and up and down, and up...). As we reach the borders of Minneapolis the trail turns into a smooth, asphalted riders dream, and bicyclists start popping up all over. It is at this point that we celebrate a trip milestone, reaching the 3000 mile mark! Kerstin cracks out a celebratory donut and I dodge the other cyclists to take a photo. It is bicycle rush hour and we realize just how slow we are laden with our luggage, our lack of rest days and 50 miles in those legs already today. Not having been in a city this large in 10 weeks we are quickly overwhelmed and luckily Robin, our generous host, is only a phone call away, and armed with some excellent advice on negotiating the really impressive trail system in Minneapolis. Once we find our way to the midtown greenway, a cycling autobahn, Robin sends out her emissary, Harris, unmissable at 6'4", on his racing bike in his racing gear, now saddled with two of the slowest riders on the greenway, to escort home! We are greeted with a warm welcome from Robin, Greg and, of course, Harris, a hot shower, a vegetarian feast and a real bed. Life is good! Posted using BlogPress from my iPad