Reports from Jamie's latest tour

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day 71

pulling the string tight

Actual Date: 2007-07-14
Uploaded: mon, 16 jul 2007 06:01:05 -070
Distance: 135.00 km

Iron River, Wisconsin to Castle Danger, Minnesota.

Sometimes the wind goddess can decide to pull a fast one. This morning she started the wind blowing nice and early with flags streaming powerfully. There was only one civilized solution, go back to bed and attack the wind after a couple of more hours of rest. (grin)

Eleven hours of solid sleep makes the world a much better place. Although it was cold this morning it was also sunny which was certainly better then the icy rain alternative.

I had been forewarned that there was a wood carver ahead with excellent work and that I would end up taking lots of pictures. I did indeed.

Near the town of Maple I met my last eastbound bicycle tourer in the US and an interesting character he was in all of the best ways. He was doing an out and back tour of his own. He had experienced all of the same things I had except for the Superior Special. Once he heard what it was (ice cold sustained rain) he didn't really want to either! (Based on rain bursts observed at sunset he likely did if he was still riding). He is a grade six science teacher. In addition to the usual touring gear he was also carrying a deer skull, some horns and a bunch of feathers. We talked for a good thirty minutes and if we had been headed in the same direction then he would have made an interesting riding partner for a few days.

I have now turned the south-western corner of the lake. The invisible string I've been unrolling behind me has reached it's limit. Until I reach the northern corner this string is going to stay tight so that I can enjoy the G forces as I whip around to the next segment. I believe that my overall distance to home will stay relatively constant until I reach the northern point.

Once around the corner I enjoyed navigating through Deluth and checking out some of their scenic bike paths accompanied by a gentle tail wind and a butterscotch sundae.

One surprise was how busy this part of the lake is compared to earlier sections. It was quite difficult finding a place to camp. I am happy to report that Minnesota does indeed have the same rule as Michigan and Wisconsin. If you arrive at a state park via loaded touring bike or long distance backpacker then a spot will be found for you even if the park is full.

The last part of the ride was completed in the dark again confirming for me how glad I was to have the much better lighting system this time around. I also experienced riding through two tunnels which is something new to all of my lake tours.

Mike M: Could you include two markers for today please? One marker would be the normal Castle Danger while the second would be the western end of the US2 bridge in Duluth representing the likely western most point of the tour.

The western shoreline is extremely scenic. Today I took 4 GB of pictures in the short section I rode.

Until tomorrow....

~Jamie N

Interested in bicycle touring? www.bicycletouring101.com

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Tour Statistics

(Based on riding days only)

Number of Riding Days: 34
Overall total so far: 3840.10 km
Daily Average: 112.94 km
Shortest: 53.00 km
Longest: 163.00 km

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