Date: 2007-07-12
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Miles today: 0.0

7-9-07Superior, WI101 miles today1877 eastern miles5962 miles totalWe're in Wisconsin!!This morning started off at 6am when I heard my automatic coffee brewing machine kick in.I had my whole pot of coffee drank and Mrs Gorp still hadn't woke up.I turned the TV on louder and that got her moving...a little. She really looked bad this morning. :-))I also know that when she reads this, I'll be in trouble for that remark. :-))I'm afraid. ;-))We packed up the bikes, then stopped by the office and had the continental breakfast before heading out.It felt much nicer this morning. Probably in the 50's and much less humidity.We headed on and didn't stop until we got to Swan River. We had breakfast #2 at the truck stop.We talked to a guy riding a trike...a motorcycle type vehicle thing. He said he had over 170,000 miles on it.We headed on...enjoying the beautiful morning.We got passed by those same 3 trucks that were hauling the massive windmill blades. That makes 3 times they have passed us in 3 days. I think the reason it's taking them so long is because they must have to wait on the police escort. There are about 4 cop cars for each truck and they ride with their lights flashing.The one thing that has really surprised me in MN is the lack of animals we've seen. We have rode through lots of forests...in fact, it's been mostly forest areas, but no animals. :-((We pulled into a small store in Floodwood and got more sodas and a Subway veggie delight. I was stuffed!! :-))We headed on and pulled into a quilt shop. Mrs Gorp has been collecting pieces of fabric along the way for a "bike adventure" quilt she plans on making this winter.I sat outside enjoying the weather. There was a really nice and comfortable swing...they know how to keep the guys happy at the quilt shop. Ha!!We have been following Rt 2 for some time now, so when we turned south on Rt 33 and headed towards Cloquet, it seemed strange.We avoided all the traffic in Duluth by taking that route.Mrs Gorp's mother was born there too.We got to Cloquet and I thought we were going to get a motel. I rode by one on the way into town, thinking it would be nicer to see what was in the town, then getting a room on the other side.We rode through town and saw another motel, but it wasn't as nice. Mrs Gorp said we should keep riding.I thought it would be OK because there was a steakhouse next door to it. :-))We rode on. :-((It looked like we could ride Rt 210 straight into Wisconsin, but when we got on that route, it entered Jay Cooke State Park and the road went to crap.The sign said there was rough roads for the next 7 miles. They were rough!!...the roughest we've rode so far.It was a winding and hilly road too.That route ended into Rt 23. It didn't go through to Wisconsin like it looked on the map.We headed north on Rt 23 looking for Rt 39 to get us across the St Louis River and into Wisconsin.We did cross the bridge and even had a sign to get pictures in front of.Mrs Gorp said there was a motel showing up on her GPS. We rode by that, but it didn't look real nice, so we kept riding.That's when Mrs Gorp told me that because this was our 100th day on this adventure, that we should keep going until we do another century ride.She planned that all day, but didn't tell me until later. She said I would have pouted if she had told me earlier.We did get in our 8th century ride today. :-))We found a bike path that was next to Rt 2, so we took that to the motel. Turns out it was just over 100 miles. Lucky for Mrs Gorp because I would have stopped at 99 miles if that's where the motel was. :-))We walked next door for dinner and I watched Mrs Gorp shovel in a LOT of food fast.I'll probably get in trouble for that remark too, but since I already said something earlier in this entry and I'm going to be in trouble for that remark, I feel I can safely talk about how much Mrs Gorp ate for dinner...A LOT!!! :-))I'm not too smart, am I?? ;-))Lee Perry called when I got back to the room and said he was going to try and find us tomorrow on Rt 2.I'm looking forward to seeing him again. I think Mrs Gorp and I have put on about 4500 miles since we saw him and Rachel back in Houston, MO.Another great day on Stumpy's version of the Northern Tier Bicycle Trail. :-))7-10-07Ashland, WI60 miles today1938 easterly miles6023 total milesMrs Gorp woke up, looked out the window and said it was raining, then turned on my coffee maker.She was busy doing stuff, so I just layed in bed....waiting. It worked!! She brought me a cup of coffee when it was done brewing. :-))That makes Starbuck's taste even better!! Ha!!I called Lee Perry and told him it was raining here and we would be a little later getting to Ashland.Lee came up to see a friend that hiked the AT in '03 by the name of Ol' Smoky Lonesome. He decided to try and meet up with us while he was in the area.We walked to a local restaurant and had a nice breakfast.It was getting windy out and the rain had stopped. We decided to go ahead and start riding, so after checking out, we headed east on the bike path.The bike path turned to gravel, so we headed out to Rt 2 and were riding along and making good time when I saw a sign that said; "No Pedestrians or Bicycles".We pulled into a rest area and asked about options. The lady said it was "sort" of an interstate, so we needed to get off at the next exit.It's a shame because it was a nice ride with a large shoulder.We got off at the next exit and rode down a backroad. It was nice country, but a rough road.We kept riding until the road connected with Rt 2 in about 7 miles where it was OK for bikes to ride again.The wind was at our backs and we were moving along nicely. Another front is coming through and we had some humidity, so although it was in the low 70's, it didn't feel as good as it should.We stopped for a couple short breaks, then stopped at an A&W and had a rootbeer and a hotdog.We were riding along and a car pulled over in front of us and stopped. It was Lee and Ol' Smoky Lonesome. :-))We stood there talking with the wind whipping up. We planned on meeting in Ashland in about an hour, so they took off and we started riding again.I was riding along at about 28mph when my chain got caught again. It's not dangerous because it doesn't stop me from moving, but I do have to stop and get the chain un-stuck before I can pedal again.Sure will be nice when I get my new wheels and they work right.We finished riding into Ashland and got a room.While we were waiting on the room to be ready, it started raining. That was great timing!! :-))I called Lee and told him where we were.The room was ready just about the time he and Ol' Smoky Lonesome got here. We took the bikes to the room and Lee brought a cooler. :-))He had some cheese snacks and crackers, a bottle of wine and a couple beers...and I tried everything!! :-))It was a great visit and I was real happy to get to see Lee again...and meet Ol' Smoky Lonesome for the first time.Ol' Smoky Lonesome said he had expected to meet a couple of emaciated bike riders since we've gone over 6,000 miles now. He said when he met us that we looked "healthy".Well yeah, we know how to stay well fed and "healthy" looking!! :-))They had to leave so they could drive back to central WI.Lee, it was great seeing you again...thanks for the goodies too!! That was some great trail magic. :-))I ordered pizza delivery about 6pm for dinner and enjoyed the evening out of the high winds.Another great day on Stumpy's version of the Nothern Tier Bicycle Trail. :-))7-11-07Ironwood, MI40 miles today1979 easterly miles6064 total milesRemember when I said I was learning how to get my coffee made and served to me?? Well, I had to turn the coffee brewing machine on today myself, but I was able to get my 1st cup served to me while I was still in bed. :-))I had a small breakfast at the motel here in Ashland, then packed up the bike and was ready to roll.We headed out at 7:45am. It was a beautiful morning with clear blue skies and a 50 degree temperature.We weren't sure how far we were going. We figured we'd stop when we found a decent place.I was pedaling easy and still moving along at a good pace because we had a light tailwind. I love tailwinds!!We had stayed on the west end of Ashland. Usually we ride through town and stay on the east end just so we're already through town the next morning.It was busy traffic riding through town, but the road was wide enough that the cars could pass easily.We stopped a couple times to take pictures of Lake Superior which we were riding next to.Once we left town, we didn't stop again until we got to Bad River Casino. We sat out front and drank a couple sodas. We really seemed to be moving in slow motion today...maybe because we knew it would probably be a short day of riding.The next time we stopped was when we saw the "Welcome To Michigan" sign. That's right, we're in Michigan now!!We pulled into the welcome center and picked up some info on the Upper Peninsula and another road map, then we rode into Ironwood and stopped at the first restaurant that served pasty's.Mrs Gorp thought they were going to be like dessert, but quickly learned they were like a full meal in a pastry.We got 3 for $5.00 and that filled up both of us.We were studying the maps and looking for accomodations along our route in the UP. It looks like we need to do another short day tomorrow to set us up for the town stays.We still weren't sure how far to go today. I wanted to stay in Ironwood because the motels were so cheap...and there was lots of food.Mrs Gorp kept talking about Wakefield which was another 10 miles.We decided to just ride until we found something nice, then the dark clouds started building fast. It started raining before we got out of town, so we got a room in Ironwood...just like I wanted to do earlier. :-))We decided to go see a movie since there was a theater across the street. There was a matinee at 4:30pm, so we went and ate dinner early, then walked to the theater.Mrs Gorp wanted to see Ratatoui and all I wanted was popcorn. :-))Ratatoui ended up being a good animated movie about food...good food. :-))We walked to a local store when the movie was over and picked up a pint of Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia.These are the reasons we have rode over 6,000 miles and are not emaciated like Ol' Smoky Lonesome thought we'd be. Ha!!Another great day on Stumpy's version of the Northern Tier Bicycle Trail. :-))