Sat. 7/26/08

One for the Story Books...

Once upon a time there lived a brave knight who would load all of his bike gear into his vehicle and depart (at 4:00am) for an epic ride. But this year the knight decided to switch it up a bit...

Our story begins with a series of phone calls to help coordinate the next day's adventures. Our hero would depart from his castle and meet up with two other brave souls in Douglas at 8:30am. After they met in Douglas, the three amigos headed north for Pine Island. But shortly after they got started our hero had a flat tire and they had to stop and do some repair. Once fixed, they continued their adventure. At Pine Island they continued NW to Roscoe and at hwy 57, they met up with the Knights of the Round Wheels (the Silver Cycling boys). At this point our band of merry men, headed back into Pine Island for some refreshment at the local Kwik Trip.

Once their thirsts were qwenched, they headed east out of town for Mazeppa. Then they turned the steeds onto cty 7 and up the big hill to Chef's home. Chef was not there, but our group stopped and chatted with Chef's queen for a short time. Then they all mounted back up and headed for Zumbro Falls. The group turned east on hwy 60 until they came to cty 2, where they headed north for Lake City. At this point our hero was starting to wonder how long Big Jim and Jeff the Brave would continue on this adventure. They had only planned on a 4-5 hour tour. But they continued with the group all the way to Lake City.

Once there, our fellowship stopped at another local convenience store for nourishment. Again the brave two continued on with the group as they made their way to Wabasha. Just before Wabasha our hero encountered his second flat tire (bummer). After the repair was made the group continued into Wabasha for a hearty feast. Our Rochester Band of Brothers, then decided to call it a day. We bid fairwell to our compatriots and headed off alone.

Up and over the Mountain of Doom (or the climb out of Wabasha) they went, each taking turns at the front as there was a fairly steady wicked wind from the west. As the adventure started to wear on our hero, Big Jim moved to the front and pulled with all his might to help get our hero back to the safety of his castle. Our group stopped in Zumbro Falls for one last round of gatorade, then they made their final surge on to the village of Rochester.

Once in the village Big Jim and Jeff the Brave peeled off to their castles. As they did, they prepared for the onslaught of questions that would be hurled by their respective queens (i.e. where have you been, why were you gone so long, what did you buy me).

Our hero continued off alone, to make his way back through the Black Forest and onto the safety of his own castle (and a shower, something to eat, and a Schells Beer).

For their bravery and performance above and beyond the call of duty, both Big Jim and Jeff the Brave were knighted into the Holy Order of the Round Wheels.

Congratulations to both of you and I hope your queens weren't too mad...

Here's the adventure of our brave travelers:



Maybe next year, our hero can plan this thing out better and have a new rear tire???