Life On A B-I7

Route

• Fergus Falls to Osakis

Metrics

• Miles: 69
• Average Speed: NA mph
• Ride Time: NA hours NA minutes

Notes

• I was on a paved bike path all day today. I didn’t feel like running the metrics app.

Thought #7

• Do everything you do to the best of your ability. 

I thought today would be another day of road riding. I was mistaken. When I got to the outskirts of Fergus Falls, the route turned onto the Central Lakes State Trail. One hundred and ten miles of paved bike path over an abandoned railroad spur. Actually, it’s not just bicycles, in the winter snowmobiles and cross-country skiers are allowed to use the trail. Today I covered the first 65 miles, tomorrow I’ll do the last 45.

My route today passed through the town of Alexandria. I was met as I entered the town by Olaf the Viking, affectionately known as Big Ole. The town of Alexandria calls itself “The Birthplace of America.” Naturally, I had to inquire why. I was told it was because Vikings explored this region in 1362 making them the first white men to see this land. There is only one piece of evidence to corroborate this story, it is a Rune Stone discovered by a local farmer in 1898. The stone is engraved with Nordic runes and the date 1362. There is archaeological evidence to show that the Vikings explored Hudson Bay dating back to 1000. In 1355 an expedition was sent to Greenland and a permanent settlement was established. It is that expedition or one similar to it that is assumed to have reached this part of Minnesota. The stone has become known as the Kensington Rune Stone. The stone is on permanent exhibit in the Rune Stone Museum in Alexandria.

I made a strange observation today on the trail. When I wave at guys on e-bikes, they don’t wave back at me. I assume it’s because they’re going so fast They don’t see me, although it could be because they’re embarrassed by their electricity. Either way, if you’re on an e-bike and someone waves at you, be sure and wave back.

I passed a very cool memorial in the town of Butler. It was only visible from the bike path. I got off the bike and wandered around. It was fascinating. There was memorabilia and stories from the Civil War all the way through the Vietnam war. The memorial was dedicated to local citizens who had served in those conflicts, and those who had given their lives.

As an aside, this summer represents the 50th anniversary of my first long distance bicycle tour. When I graduated from college in 1976 I didn’t know what to do with myself, so I got on my bicycle and rode from Seattle to San Diego. That adventure made a huge impression on me. That is a big part of why I keep doing it.

Just the sort of thing you’re looking for in a heat wave.

“Big Ole” was there to greet me at mile 55 in the city of Alexandria.

Itinerary / Maps