Stillwater to Hastings
Day 6 of riding the 50th Tour of Minnesota
Since we are basically riding “with the current” from Stillwater down to Hastings, it should be downhill the whole way, no? Not exactly.
The route deviates from the shoulder of the St. Croix River and cuts west where we will cross the Mississippi River on our way down to Hastings.
The itinerary shows we are arriving in Hastings for lunch. Really? Almost 60 miles to lunch? Might as well make it a century and ride another 40 before dinner.
Maybe this is just a reflection of how fit we will be by this point of the tour. I wonder if we have figured out a way to be waterproof on a bike in thunderstorms yet.
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Relative Something 
Have you been tempted to use your motor-assist capability of your bike or do you leave the battery and other heavy parts at home to make the bike as light as possiple?
wtbell
June 21, 2024 at 7:32 am
Great question. Last year I rode the whole week without even putting the battery on the bike. This year I started first day without the battery but after 30 miles on a relatively flat trail, decided I should install the battery for insurance on next days. Paid off because I found good reason to use it on the last 7 miles into a strong headwind on the day I rode as Sweeper.
johnwhays
June 21, 2024 at 9:03 pm