Saturday, July 19, 2008 – Day 27

Rest Day: New Ulm, Minnesota
Miles: 5.45 Total Miles: 1,971.96 BRAA Total Miles: 1,851.70
Flat tire count today: 1 Total flat tires for the ride: 7

Ahh, a rest day. It was needed after riding for the last six days straight. Next, we have the longest stretch of consecutive riding days for the entire trip. We will not get another rest day for seven long days. The bright side is that after the next seven day stretch, we will be through three more states. Over the next week, we will be finished with Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and will almost be through Indiana.

I spent some time this morning and afternoon riding around the town of New Ulm. It is a small town with a big German influence. There are a lot of German restaurants and bars in the downtown area. This weekend was especially busy because they are having their annual Bavarian Blast. There will be food, music, activities and a parade. People come from all over to attend the Blast.

It was a good thing that we had a rest day today. The morning started out with rain and there is more expected this afternoon. Many of the riders are taking the rest day to clean their bikes not only because it is needed, but because of the mess from the rain a couple of days ago. Hopefully, the rain will stay away for a while, but you know how it goes when you wash your car…the rain is usually close behind.

We will continue on to Owatonna, Minnesota tomorrow. We are getting close to our final destination of Washington, DC. Only three weeks away.