2017 MinnWisMi - Otsego to Minneapolis

Monday - September 18 - Otsego to Minneapolis
Misssissippi River crossing #22 less than 2 miles into our morning. Rain is still in the forecast but it is dry and 52F right now.

Our first trail for the day. It was also our sound of the day as the boards sort of rattled as we crossed them.

The boardwalk was about a quarter mile long and some sections needed a little help. That angle is not an optical illusion. It really is canted about 30 degrees.

Some neighborhood art. Big lots and big houses along this stretch of the river.

And a little library. We have seen a number of these but this one was the most colorful so far. We have some in Sweet Home too.

We stopped a couple of miles back at the Ramsey Bicycle shop to look into bike maps for the area (there aren't any) and it started raining. The clerk sent us to this McDonald's for a place to hang out while it passed.

The rain lessened in about an hour and was supposed to stop for awhile but we donned full rain apparel anyway.

Maybe we were procrastinating?

A low back tire was not helping Doug enjoy the wet ride. It hasn't stopped raining so far. The drops are just smaller.

Coon Rapids Dam is that line on the horizon.

Now the front tire needs air....this is not a good sign.

Mississippi River crossing #23. It was pouring so picture composition was sacrificed to speed so the camera might stay dry. We are crossing a little sooner than planned because the trail on the east side is closed south of here and this is the detour route.

We are headed to somewhere in the vicinity of that tall building in the distance....and it just stopped raining too.

Minneapolis share bikes

We had heard they were serious about cycling here and we believe it!!

Flat tire #1 about a mile from our motel. At least it wasn't raining anymore and it was a good spot to work on it. That is the ING office building with the columns.

Donna wandered up to the Hennepin Street bridge while Doug worked.

Almost done....Donna talked to a local about her bike commute while Doug worked. A couple of people stop to ask if we needed any help while we were there.

Two things....a great bike lane and notice the elevated walkway. They have lots of both here.

It is 4:00 and people are starting to head home.

A hot tub never felt so GOOD! It never got up to 60F so even though we stayed dry under all that gear we weren't always warm. Still a really good day but would have been excellent if it had been dry.