Andy and I got out early, we took a country route out of Theif River Falls, saw a wild turkey and a sandhill crane. Temp. was in the low 80′s beautiful day. Andy headed back to town after about 15 miles. I was looking at close to 100 miles to get to Bemidji, MN. I heard a pinging noise from my rear tire just north of Plummer. I was hoping it wasn’t a spoke breaking and right away started coming up with a list of other things that might of caused that sound. Reality caught up with my just about the time my rim began rubbing on my rear brake pad. Andy Mueller is at heart still a firefighter. I gave him a call, he came with his truck and tools, we ended up having to travel back to Theif River Falls. He took a spoke from another one of his bikes and repaired my wheel, took me back just south of Plummer. Thanks again Andy. I made it to Bemidji, the wheel stayed true. No more broken spoke. I was very close to 100 miles by the time I made it Al Bontrager’s house. I rode till the odometer read 100 for my first century of this trip
Back in the states, stayed over in Roseau, MN, ice hockey, home of Polaris, fields of canola abound. Jared Gustafson, who grew up in the area, joined me for a few miles on the way out of town.
I stopped in Greenbush, MN for their 4th of July parade. It was a great break from the road. I visited with a local guy as his kids scrambled to fit more and more candy into their cowboy hats. Further down the road in Middle River I found the treasure of Young’s general store. Over 100 years old, the place was chocked full of everything you might need. I managed to find a sturdier pair of flip flops and some cheese crakers. The store is in its third generation of owners, same family. While I was sitting outside, one of the owners offered me an ice cream and cold spring water. Brings a smile just thinking about it.
I got into Theif River Falls and realized I had failed to write down a personal number for my host, Andy Mueller. I only had his work number and email. Oops. How hard could it be to solve this problem in a small town. On my third stop I went to the local police station, the woman working there stated she went to the same church as Andy, problem solved. Stayed up visiting with Andy. Andy is currently an English teacher at Northland College, a former firefighter, and an avid cyclist.
Great stay in Steinbach with Ron and Noreen Janzen. I got in just in time for a grilled pork dinner with salad and potato in the backyard with another couple. In the morning Ron, Jim and Peter, all members of the Mennonites in Tights cycling group, headed out with me for 50 miles towards the canadian/us border. At any moment as we pedaled along we could have been attacked by a black bear or a timber wolf. Ok, we had some chance of seeing either one of these animals. We didn’t, but we did see a good size deer heading into the woods.
I met a fellow traveler on the way to Steinbach, MB, Canada. I stopped along the shoulder to visit with a guy pushing a shopping cart with japanese flag attached to the cart. He said he started his trip in Vancouver and was going across Canada. The cart was loaded with canned goods, bottled water, a tent, and other gear. He was in good spirits, and said next year he planned on going across Australia. I asked him why he was doing it and He said, “Adventure, it will be a great memory.” Wow.
Nice to visit with Dave and Anne Winter. My hosts and friends of my parents going back to 1964 when they were all in Zambia, Africa teaching through Mennonite Central Committee. They are both 80 and between gardening, playing tennis, and curling they are in great shape. Curling is very popular in Winnipeg. We took a walk in on 7/2 on a cinder covered trail, was once a train track, the flip flops I brought didn’t work so well. Mosquitos were plentiful and vicious.
Left for Olympia Cycle and Ski mid-morning. My bike made the trip in good shape. Waved goodbye to Dave and Anne and headed out to visit with Elaine Smith at the Winnipeg Habitat for Humanity affiliate.