Training Trip

Well, Sunday was another training trip for the 60 For 60 trip in a little less than two weeks. This one was along the Root River Trail in southeastern Minnesota. I wanted to do about 28 miles to see how it would go. That's 8 miles more than the first excursion on July 4 on the Douglas Trail.



The Root River Trail is a Rails to Trails pathway which means that on most of its trip it is fairly flat. Or at least a steady grade. There are some parts of the trail that are not from former rail lines that can get quite heavy, but I didn't do those sections. As you can see above the trail is often shaded and tree covered. That along with the breeze of moving make it a delightful trail.



The whole trail is about 43 miles long starting in Fountain and ending in Houston 43 miles to the east. (map) It crosses over the Root River and its branches and streams a number of times. Above was at the confluence of the Root and its Southern Branch. Kayaking, fishing, floating are all part of the river's popularity.



Of course I have to take at least one of those obligatory pictures of the river from the old train bridge. And notice I didn't forget to include one of the bridge beams and wooden railings to give perspective.

Actually the smell of creosote from the old railroad wood (and the new, too) is part of the joy of the trip. The smell triggers old memories of railroad ties as we would walk along the tracks, putting pennies on them and just watching the New York Central freights go by along the hill north of town.



I started at a state forest unit parking area about 6.5 miles down the trail from Fountain. The section from Fountain to this parking area is mostly downhill going east. Going west it is a steady uphill grade. (More below)

The first town east of the forest unit is Lanesboro. Lanesboro is just less than 5 miles (4.7) from where I started and a good place to get some water before the next leg. It is a quaint town with bike rentals and little stores. Maybe all stop signs need this kind of decoration. It takes away the harshness of the command. (Or not.) But I liked the picture.



The next leg I took today was from Lanesboro to the little village of Whalan. It was another 4.6 miles and was what I knew would be the turn around point. I had heard about Whalan from a number of friends. It is a popular stop on the trail. I can't guess why.



Yes, I stopped for pie before turning around. I needed the energy boost. It was a wonderful Key Lime Pie! They have ice cream and sandwiches, too. Maybe next time.

Anyway, I did the 18.6 miles on the trail as I expected. Feeling brave and fairly good I went past the place where I had started. I tried to go up the grade toward Fountain but just couldn't go any further than four miles from the parking area.Actually I felt fairly good about myself going that extra 4 miles uphill. At the end of the trip. (Crazy? I'm afraid so.) Anyway heading back down those four miles was worth it as I had to pedal only about half the time.

I am really beginning to enjoy this biking thing. Since this was another training trip I was as much interested in seeing what I could do. But that didn't mean I missed the wonders of all the different flower and plant smells wafting across the trail. Nor did I miss the ever-present sound of birds or the bluebirds flying around. It was a good Sunday afternoon. One more training trip, probably on Friday and who knows, it may even have to include a pie stop in Whalan.

Oh- and it was a far better way to spend a truly beautiful Sunday afternoon than going to the movie. But I do have to get to see The Dark Knight. Maybe another time.