When we entered Minnesota the corn was about 3 feet tall. Just before we entered this town the corn was 7 feet tall. The supper was prepared and served by the First Congregational United Church of Christ of Montevideo, MN. It was excellent. Some of the riders are complaining that they are gaining weight on the ride because all the food is so good.

We passed through several small towns. They ranged in size from 123 to 1234. All of them were functional and looked good. In SD many of the small towns were dead or dying. The economy keeps getting better as we move east. The houses are well cared for. The yards have nice plantings. The streets are tree-lined. It was like someone had waved a magic wand when we crossed the state line.

We passed though the following towns today:
Kranzburg, SD - died
Marietta, MN - Alive and well
Madison, MN - Alive and well (the Lutefisk capital of the world)
Dawson, MN - Alive and well

In Madison they had restored an old gas station and it was wonderful to look around. We saw very little wildlife today.

The average number of flat tires for a coast-to-coast rider is 3. By now most of the riders have replaced the rear tire as they are worn out. Some are now starting to replace the front as well. You can now tell the coast-to-coast riders by the white stripe where the helmet strap goes.

Yesterday I replaced my front fork as it caused the bike to shimmy when it hit lose gravel. The roads here are all covered with the gravel as a result of sanding in winter. Cables were replaced as well as they showed some damage. The replacements were done at night so I could ride during the day. The bike worked well.

The ride was all on county roads where there were very few cars. We did not see many birds and no wild animals. We saw a few cows and lots and lots and lots of soybeans and corn and more corn.

The highlight of today’s ride was the lunch stop at the Nere’s farm. The picnic was in their side yard. They had posters showing earlier rides. They and their children made us feel so welcome.

Tonight we are staying about 4 blocks from a fair grounds where they are having tractor pulls. These tractors have never seen a field. One tractor was powered by 2 aircraft engines. Each engine would generate several thousand horsepower.

We have had storm warnings in the past, but tonight it is pouring rain with lightning. Many of the riders have moved into the gym to sleep tonight. I am hoping the rain will stop. It is hailing now

There were three modes of dress for the storm. Those from Europe had on rain gear from head to toe. At the end they said they were too hot. The ones from either coast wore a rain jacket. We were a little too warm. The mid west group wore only their usual riding gear. They said they were cold on the down hills.

The vegetation has changed to the lush green of New York or Western Washington. The European riders are amazed at the number of microclimates that exist in the USA. They say it changes every day. They feel they have only two zones. One zone is the main body of the continent and the other is the area like Spain (on the Mediterranean Sea.)

The town was stared in 1855 by John W. North. His dream was to build an "Athens in the Midwest". It is nestled in a farm studded Cannon River valley. It became rich in commerce and is the home of two nationally respected liberal arts colleges, Carleton College and St. Olaf College.

We have 2 mechanics on the staff that repair the bikes. Both start working about 3 pm and finish well after dark. The bikes are in good condition when they start the ride, but the grit and the constant pounding of the seams in the roads take their toll on the adjustments.

Tomorrow we cross the big river outside of Red Wing (the home of the Red Wing shoes). We stop in Pepin, WS.