Day 11 - Hastings
Day 11 - awoke to a sunrise and slightly better temps. The MRT Bike Trail (shoulder of road), would take me to Red Wing and then to Hastings,MN for an overnight at a local church.
A known road closure lie ahead within the first 7 miles; Route 61 was closed for three miles. I turned on the detour and flagged down a motorist to ask them about the route, "...it's a long way around...was his reply.
I thought about my travelling friend Kerry, who always seemed to challenge closures, maybe I should go back to the closure and ask if I could get through.
I did and the answer was NO, the flag man said another cyclist took the railroad track to get around the three miles.
Hesitantly I did that until I found a gravel road that was running alongside the tracks. I wasn't sure if this was a good choice or not, if it dead ended I'd have to retrace back to the official detour.
| Heart | 3 | Comment | 4 | Link |
You can't always bat a thousand at avoiding detours, but you'll sure bat zero if you don't ask!! :-)
Kerry
8 months ago
That’s life sometimes!
8 months ago
8 months ago
I saw the construction on 61, the road was gone and there was a lot of activity - too dangerous for anyone.
Well, my self-designed detour brought me back to 61 after the detour with not much lose of time or added mileage. The 61 shoulder (MRT again) long and lonesome, but it got me 20 miles to Red Wing.
| Heart | 5 | Comment | 0 | Link |
| Heart | 3 | Comment | 0 | Link |
Trails again took me out of town and through a rural setting for several miles. The Cannon Valley Trail - paved - made me smile until I saw my next "Road Closed" sign. A local said it has been closed for years! Fun, detour. I met Kevin then, who volunteered to show me a five mile detour around the closure.
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I followed Kevin for several miles until a climb came. He looked over at me and said, I know you can do it (the climb), but my car is right here. Well, we loaded the Heavy Rescue on the "hook."
Kevin was another GEM of the Viking Quest. He told me he knew what I was feeling, he's been there. Thank you Kevin so very much!!!
I got back on route and eventually turned onto Route 316 toward Hastings. It was again a shoulder MRT with NO shade or places to rest, but it got me to the Aquatic Center and a cool bath.
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Thank you to everyone I met along the way. Also thank you to my boys and wifey for getting me through the challenges. Also to Bill, my biking partner from home. Lastly thank you mom for sending your love and calm from heaven....I felt it....
Last leg for Viking 2 tomorrow!
| Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 5 |
| Comment on this entry | Comment | 4 |
I miss grandma too! But I know she’s smiling down.
Love you!
Dan
8 months ago
Again, thank you!
8 months ago