Day 31. Rochester, MN. 102 miles. 2,400 ft climb

Rochester, MN.  Home of the Mayo Clinic.   Zippy reports that riding past the Mayo Clinic, which dominates the city, was the highlight of today's ride.  Yes, the Clinic is "huge, enormous, gigantic", taking up at least an entire city block, but if that was the day's highlight, that must mean that the day was pretty rough.  And it was.

Rochester, MN and Zumbro River

Dan called it the "dreaded 4H--hot, humid, hills, headwinds".  This was the first time Terry actually complained about the heat---very oppressive, he said.  Several riders eventually sat it out in the SAG wagon.  Terry thought that, for him, today was actually the hardest ride of the trip.   There was nothing much to see except more corn and soybean fields (this was Terry's impression---other riders found it quite pretty),  there were some hills to climb, but absolutely no reward for the effort, as there was in Wyoming, for example, which at least rewarded you with unbelievable views.   Not only was it hot, but they also had 20 mph winds--which helped cool things off until they route turned and they became brutal headwinds.  The road surface was not good for much of the ride, with big cracks and potholes.  Riders had to always pay close attention to the road so they didn't get caught in one or the other.

Hills And Cracks In The Road--UGH

  Oh, and today's mileage was supposed to be 99, but due to road work and a detour, it actually totaled 102, which meant it was a back-to-back century with yesterday.  I think Steve summed it up, by saying, "We’re in the dog days of this thing.  Mental aspect becoming harder and harder.  Not quite close enough to the end to overwhelm the challenge of getting up every day and doing it all again…"   On last night's Weather Channel was this headline:  "Avoid all strenuous activity outdoors during the heatwave".    OOPS.

Phyllis & Colin--Two Who Helped Terry Warm Up--On The Road Again

 Terry rode part of the day with Travis, who had a good friend and the friend's wife join him today. I guess they live somewhere nearby.   She drove the car, which became their own personal SAG wagon, and supplied them with ice, water, energy bars, etc.  Unfortunately, the friend developed pretty severe cramps from electrolyte imbalance (which happens when you sweat profusely and don't replenish).   Terry had some salt & electrolyte pills with him, which he gave the guy, and the cramps eventually subsided.

The end of the ride took them on a very nice bike path, and then smack through downtown, which was nice and clean, and as I mentioned, past the Mayo Clinic.

On The Bike Path

  Today is the last day in Minnesota.  Tomorrow, they cross into Wisconsin, which  holds promise to be only in the 80's--an improvement over these last few days.   Let's hope so!

Trip Stats:  2,323 miles......75,090 ft climb......5 States.......and Rolling..............