MN Mini-Tour: Day 1

Yep, that is the first day's distance on this new adventure.

I've been embarrassed to tell folks
How short many of our ride days are.
Do short days really count?
(Answer: Of course they do! Anything counts. Hear that, Lin?)

Today's destination twenty one miles
To Kenyon.
Plenty and just right match for conditions,
Our muscle strength,
And THE WIND.

Headwind was our game today.
Carrying twenty-five pound load,
Up hills,
Strong gusty wind sometimes from side,
Takes attention to balance and holding course.

Ironically, my picking most scenic route,
Meant most hills,
Meant climb into wind,
Meant LOVELY scenery.
Worthwhile.

Two miles of Hwy 56 into Kenyon,
Rumble strips eating up shoulder,
Put bike on white line,
Uncomfortably close to consistent traffic.

Big sigh of relief as
Shoulder widened into Kenyon.

I'd forgotten additional physical
Strength needed, climbing determination,
That goes with loaded panniers.
Seems always something to relearn.

We did it, and have ride day one completed.
No rain during ride.

Kenyon at three p.m.
By five-thirty rain.
We had been to library,
To grocery store to gather breakfast items,
Back to hotel dining eating good food as we sat on covered patio,
Grateful to be sheltered and dry.

During rain break,
Walk street to lovely
Historic mansion standing strong
On its grassy domain.

We've slowly walked,
Seen Main Street of Kenyon, MN,
In way we never have before.
That's a bonus of this trip.

Lucky folks we are.

Hugs,
Lin

Limerick:

We're starting our riding with short days,
That let us get stronger in some ways.
We pedal a load,
Stay safe on the road,
With big winds and long hills and sun rays.

​

P.S. Tonight I am sitting with my computer in the hotel bar, writing here with these patrons. Wi-Fi signal not strong enough for our room. Part of my new adventure. Never know what will show up.