Part 3, Motorized!

We did everything I wanted to this morning. Bike and do a lot of it, 30 miles to be exact! It was Steve's turn and he wanted to go for a motorcycle (bike) ride. I usually go at least a few times every summer. This was my first time riding this summer and probably my last. My butt and back start hurting from sitting and I never last long going for a ride. I agreed to check out a new area, the Sogan Valley. 

It was a perfect day to go for a motorcycle ride. Not windy, not too hot or cold.. just right! Just wish my butt didn't hurt so much. We got off a few times to stretch and walk out the pain. I did pretty good this time riding. We only stopped about 4x's during the 2-1/2 hour ride. I had no idea it would be this long of a ride. I was thinking 45 minutes tops! 

Riding out in the country there are a lot of bugs. I got hit square in the middle of my forehead by what I think was a bee. I just saw this large fuzzy object coming at me.. and wham! I took a direct hit. We dodged a few grasshoppers and that would have really hurt. 

A few more stops and we were heading back for home. I'm sure you burn calories just riding because my butt cheeks were clenched the whole time. 

The open, quiet country roads.. 

No more biking of any kind for me tonight! 

Part 2

30 miles done.. I've been wanting to do this bike ride since the spring and today, we finally did it. 

This path starts at Fort Snelling State
Park and we follow it to Minnehaha Park and along the Mississippi river. 

We already biked 14 miles, so I packed some of my peanut M&M's to eat along the way. We really weren't sure how far we would bike. The trails were busy with bikers, walkers and dogs. It was a little crazy. I guess everyone else though of my idea too on Labor Day!

The path is busy so they needed signs to keep everyone in the right areas. Some people really lack common sense. There were a few times bikers would pass slow people when we were right on top of them coming in the opposite direction. There is not a lot of move around room so not the smartest thing to do. 

It was a good thing we rode 14 miles because it would have been a challenge to keep the speed down to 10 mph.. We were more like at 15+ but there were others who were faster and a lot more really slow. You just have to share the path with everyone. 

The bike path led us to Minnehaha park. It was super busy, Blue Grass music playing, a few food trucks and a restaurant, plus bikes to rent and a park to enjoy. We made a pit stop at the bathrooms and then went on our way to follow the river. 

The water was gushing over the Minnehaha Falls and even though we were pretty far away, we could feel the mist from the water spraying up at us. It felt pretty good since we work up a sweat biking. 

I was really wanting to bike all the way to the city. Steve's butt was pretty sore after all the miles so I was lucky we got as far as we did. The turn around point was at the sign letting us know the path ahead was closed. I think it was the section by the river that was washed away and needs to be fixed? 

We took a quick break, stretched, ate a few M&M's, drank water and got back on the bikes. 

 I'm positive I could have kept riding my bike all day long. The view and path was beautiful. I loved every minute of it. I have to go back often and definitely once the leaves turn color!

30 miles felt good. It took a few hours.. I'm sure going it alone I could go faster without stopping. Now that I know where to go.. there is no stopping me from venturing out on this bike trail again. Plenty of people and a nice path... 

Part 1

Part 1, we set off to Bike 14 miles to Mcd's for breakfast and back home.. It was probably a good idea to pump up the tires. 

After a little bike maintenance, greased up the chain we were off. 

We shared a big breakfast at Mc'd instead of going to Starbucks. I've just been in the mood to have some bacon and pancakes. Plus.. it's still my birthday weekend. 

Last night we had family dinner.. Celebrated my birthday with taco's and my Target cake. 

The kids made some cards for me.. its a good thing I save all kinds of art materials, stickers, glitter and markers. 

I had a super 46th birthday. Fireworks, camping at the lake, jet skiing, biking and reading plus spending it with family. The best way to have a birthday! 

My  birthday weekend request was more biking.. we are off to do part 2 of a bike ride. More later....