TMacD wasn't planning on doing a multi-day ride this year, but fate intervened. Long time biking partner Jim contacted me in the middle of July and inquired about the possibility of doing a four-day and 240 mile bike tour in August. So I said, "whoa brahmachari, do I look like I've been eating hot buttered groat clusters?" I explain to Jim that this Grandpa mostly eats yummies and gummies these days and, therefore, not feeling in good enough biking shape to do such a ride. However, in the spirit of compromise, I suggest to Jim that, instead of living up to my reputation of mostly just telling tales of drunkenness and cruelty, I could, instead, start working on getting in good enough shape to do a two-day ride, but I need to start now. We agreed to do a ride to Saint Cloud, Minnesota on the first day and then ride back to Minneapolis the second day. This is called an out-n-back route and would total around 145 miles. I rode close to 700 miles over the next 6 weeks and then felt I was ready to break on through to the other side and do this mini tour.
This proved to be a challenging goal. You may not believe in God but it felt to me like God was challenging me as I worked on getting in the biking shape I felt I needed to be in to comfortably complete this endeavor. First God sends down the angel of serious thunderstorms to plague me with high winds and hail, trying to make me think I should give up and abandon this journey. Next, God creates forest fires in Canada and sends all the smoke to Minnesota, creating many bad air quality days that subject my lungs to the equivalent of breathing sandpaper with every breath. Finally He turns up the heat and cranks up the humidity until there is enough moisture in the air to make the outdoors feel like a tropical rain forest. Now, I'm not one to say that there ain't no cure for the summertime blues but, unlike Donald Trump, I didn't cave. Also, this year presented one additional challenge: making the time to participate in resistance movements that try to save democracy.
Having successfully completed my training, I can proudly say that I'm still not letting the old man in. Every morning, these days, I follow the advice I once received, "don't let the old man in." I'm willing to try for at least one more multi-day ride. Then again, never say never. I mean one has to remember that Ozzie Osborne had four separate farewell tours. Let's see how I feel next year (and the next).
Here's a picture of Jim from May of 2024 after he was discharged from a hospital. Jim was headed to a group bike ride when his front tire blew while coasting downhill at about 20mph. He broke his femur and now has a titanium rod replacing that femur. He also broke his left baby finger and suffered from significant road rash. Kudos to Jim because, in spite of this fall, he still didn't let the old man in. He stuck to a prescribed physical therapy regimen and slowly recovered over the next several months. Now he's back in the saddle.
To show his appreciation to me for completing my training, and to Jim for recovering from a nasty fall as well as he did, God parts the Red Sea and gives us two perfect days for riding. The temperature each day is perfect with low humidity, sunny blue skies, and a slight tail wind both ways.
This proves that Jim and I are among the chosen few.
Day 1 Overview Map
The Beginning (Light My Fire)
Most mornings these days I wake up screaming at the top of my lungs as soon as it registers in my brain that Donald Trump is still President. But today feels different. Jim and I have breakfast, get dressed, and load the panniers onto our bikes. We start riding around 8:00am and forget about the rest of the world. When you're biking, all of the world's problems temporarily disappear from your mind. It's just you, the pavement you ride on, and the sights, sounds and smells that surround you as you ride your chosen route.
Fungus
There's been enough rain this summer that healthy mushrooms are sprouting their visible fruit.
Today turns out to be a very sad day because some sicko decides to fire guns into a church in Minneapolis that kills two innocent children and injures others. This leaves me wondering why too many people think the reaction to such atrocities should be more guns. If only we had more guns we could fix this problem. Unfortunately, forgetting about the rest of the world is not possible today. I'm grateful that one of the rules for this ride is no guns.
Coon Rapids Dam (Take It As It Comes)
Coon Rapids Dam has no locks meaning navigating boat traffic past the Dam is not supported. The Dam is just for flood control and recreation, and is part of a Regional Park.
Dam If You Do And Dam If You Don't
Highway 169 bridge over the Mississippi in Champlin, MN (Summer's Almost Gone)
We are near the home of Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman, who was shot and nearly killed on June 14, 2025. On the same day State Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman, and her husband were assassinated by another sicko who was disguised as a police officer. These events cross my mind as we ride along the West Bank of the Mississippi River on a beautiful summer day.
Crow River and Mississippi Confluence (Yes The River Knows)
We cross over the Crow River and it remains a perfect biking day. There's pleasant temperatures, blue skies with sunshine, a slight tailwind, and low humidity.
Alfresco Dining in Monticello (Roadhouse Blues)
It's even a perfect day for some patio dining.
The famous Monticello Art Car!
Actually, I don't know if it's famous or not - but it should be.
The MRT route
We mostly follow the Mississippi River Trail for this bike tour. These MRT signs keep us on route. We also stop for a brief rest in Hasty, MN. Stopping in Hasty is a tradition for me as I wonder why there is an exit off of Interstate 94 here. There is nothing here. The "HASTY" sign that used to be present on County Road 75 has been removed. I guess Hasty has been 'cancelled' though I don't know why. Someone must have offended the current administration.
A nice sculpture on the Saint Cloud State University campus
It's a nice sculpture, but what does it mean? It reminds me of two eyeballs that are cross-eyed.
Arrive in Saint Cloud (End of the Night)
We arrive at the Best Western Kelly Inn, have dinner at the Green Mill restaurant and rest in anticipation of our ride back home tomorrow..
Smoking during the Tour de France
In the Men's restroom there is a vintage Tour de France picture showing two riders sharing a cigarette.
Day 2 Overview Map
Leaving St. Cloud After Crossing Mississippi (Break On Through To The Other Side)
Smooth sailing all the way to Clearwater and on to Hasty, MN. Tradition requires a brief stop in Hasty.
Lunch at Beef O'Brady's in Monticello (Soul Kitchen)
Another alfresco lunch on the patio of Beef O'Brady's. After lunch we stop by the Cocoa Maas ice cream parlor next door for dessert.
Dayton, MN (Strange Days)
Not much here but this building that appears to have some river architecture characteristics.
Sign Alerting Us To A Scenic Overlook Ahead
It's hard to read but an attached sign says: WEAPONS PROHIBITED. Good thing we didn't bring any guns with us.
Advertised as a Scenic Overlook? (People Are Strange)
Imagine our surprise when we came upon this "scenic overlook." We see some improvements to the overlook infrastructure, but the view itself was not what we would call "improved." Trees almost completely obscure a view of the Mississippi River.
Mississippi River Bank
Nice to see this vegetation buffer along this part of the Mississippi West Bank as this helps keep the river cleaner by filtering sediments and pollutants from runoffs.
Nice Flowers
Make sure to smell some flowers at some point.
Happy Halloween (Riders On The Storm)
Here in Brooklyn Park they really know how to celebrate Halloween.
Spooky
You can never go too far with Halloween. Sorta looks like an ICE Raid is about to happen.
St. Anthony Falls (The End)
This is the end; Beautiful friend; Of our elaborate plans; The end. This ride is over but the memories are never forgotten and make us better versions of ourselves.
Home Sweet Home (When The Music's Over)
We finished this mini tour feeling great. No bike problems, no injuries, no bad weather, and good air quality both days of riding. One could not ask for a nicer experience. Now back to saving democracy.
Total Miles: 146.6