The strong crosswind during this portion of the ride was tiring as we tried to keep control of our bikes. But things got much more difficult after lunch as we started working our way east and south on a grid of paved county highways. Every time we turned south it was like hitting a wall and our speed dropped to 10mph or less. CD and I rode together all afternoon and tried as best we could to alternate pulling - but I don't think it made much difference. As we worked our way across southern Minnesota we did see this really cool barn.
We entered Iowa at mile 99 on a county road with no "Welcome to Iowa" sign - a very unceremonious way to enter my home state. Then the winds really smacked us as we headed south towards our destination at Bridges Bay Resort on Lake Okoboji. As we pedaled around the north shore of Spirit Lake (one of a half-a-dozen lakes in this area) the wind was particularly strong as it came across the lake whipping the water into large whitecaps.
My hotel room is a huge suite overlooking the lake - it's off season so there must be an excess of suites available. Unfortunately the only use I am making of the suite is to spread all of my stuff over a much wider area than normal.
I didn't say it earlier, but I actually enjoyed today's ride. My legs are feeling strong and my various aches and pains seem to be diminishing. I guess my old body has finally decided to more graciously accept the daily punishment that it is being put through.
Tomorrow we do it all over again - 114 miles to Clear Lake with 20-25 south winds forecast. At least we will be heading almost due east most of the day. My high school friends Ben Tillotson and Jerry Reed plan to meet me for dinner tomorrow night. I've told them that due to the special occasion I will extend my curfew to 9pm. It will be great fun seeing them and I really appreciate their effort to arrange their return to Des Moines from a Minnesota fishing trip to intersect with my arrival in Clear Lake.
Steve
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