Today we started off with a 5:15am wake up time and everyone packed up quickly which felt very routine. After discovering that there were no stops for the next 30 miles we made a group decision to eat breakfast at a diner right up the street from our campsite. We finished up around 7:45 and rolled out to begin the day. The sun was out and we were all prepared to be punished with heat with a forecast of “91 feels like 99”.
We did about 21 miles before we took a quick detour for a gas station break so that everyone could get what they needed to continue the day. After our stop we biked about another 15 to a gas station to stock up before we got on a bike trail the lasted 35 miles which would finish up our day. On the way to the trail, I got a flat tire which caused us to pull over and take a stop and fix that , lucky for us it was a simple fix and we were on our way in less than 30 mins. With a flat paved trail we were flying but the heat beat down on us, which slowed us down a bit and began to take a toll on the group.
After we went about 20 miles on the trail we stopped at a great place called Charlie’s Diner where everyone had great food and a nice rest after the long hot ride. Everyone had their water bottles full and was ready to go, when Wyatt realized that his tire had exploded due to the fact that he left it in the blazing sun which is a bike trip first! The setback was short and we pounded out the remaining mileage quickly traveling around 18 - 19 mph and got to Sauk Center, MN around 4:30pm. We are staying at a beautiful campsite right on the beach of a nice lake and with a swimming area where all the guys cooled off after the ride. Today was quite hot but everyone pushed through and finished strong and we will hit the sack early and be ready for tomorrow.
Until next time ... Blake.