Day 35 - The day we left Minnesota and the Mississippi for the Wisconsin farmlands

We rode a little bit on the Minnesota side of the Mississippi river early this morning before crossing the river and heading further south along the Mississippi on the Wisconsin side. The first part of the ride was on highways with good shoulders, and the second part of the ride in Wisconsin was a trail called the Great River State Trail. The Great River Trail was well shaded and its surface was excellent for riding. Other than a detour to get around a bridge that was closed on the trail, it was a great reprieve to the highway riding we’ve been doing the last two days.

We finished up with about 75 miles relatively early in the afternoon as we got an early start knowing that a bit of a heat wave is coming to Wisconsin! We ended our ride down near La Crosse and we’ll pick up the trail again tomorrow where we left off. Tomorrow’s ride will be likely 100% on gravel. We will be heading east toward Madison, Wisconsin. We’ll get to Madison on Tuesday.

Our next two nights will be first in a cabin about halfway between La Crosse and Madison, and then in Madison proper. Both stays will be with the writer’s sisters, Kate and Susan and my brother-in-law David. An extra special guest, the writers wife Caroline has come out from New York to visit also!

As of today, we are less than a handful of miles away from the 2500 mile mark of the trip. Miles seemed to come a bit easier now with most of the big climbing behind us and probably because we are just used to the fact that we get up and get our 75 miles done. It’s a routine and although we all have a little different way of approaching the routine, we’ve all gained our “trail legs” and just get it done!

Onward in eastward!

Remember the puppies and help us make a difference by donating if you can!

Puppyridelongisland.com