Archive for Minnesota

Williams cycling blog – 28th Aug

28th Aug
Mankado to Rochester
Distance 140km

The temperature was pushing 90 degrees with very high humidity. We were on the road at 8.30, we were up our usual time of 6.30 but Leonard and Macker enjoy there breakfasts a little too much and after course 6 & 7 they decided they had had enough and on we went!

It was a very windy and warm day. Luckely it was not a head wind, nor was it a tail wind! It was blowing directly across us from the south. Out into the middle of the road! We were on highway 14 which had a very small hard shoulder so this made cycling and avoiding lorries very difficult!

We were going at a much slower pace than usual, the last 7 days cycling are really starting to catch up on us! We have covered around 1100 kms in the last 7 days. We stopped off at Waseca for our usual toilet breaks and top up our water and grab a few dougnuts to give us the sugar rush we badly needed!

It was about 3 oclock on what turned out to be a very long and hard cycle when I had a little accident. No not that kind of accident! I was cruising along at around 15 MPH and I was resting my forearms on the handlebar of the bike, Tour De France esque! When I slipped down into a gravel patch on the side of the road and fell off the bike! I cut my shoulder, arm and leg and hit my head off the ground! Luckely the helmet took the impact of that and I am still pretty! But after dusting myself off, cleaned what I could of the blood and the cuts I was back on the road. Thankfully I wasn’t too badly hurt and was able to continue in a little bit of discomfort! After taking another look at the TV footage of the incident it now appears Leonard actually pushed me off the bike in an attempt to slow me down!!

We arrived at Rochester at around 4 oclock at the Best Western Hotel. It was a tough week but happy to have it over and done with! Just looking forward to the rest day now and a massage from one of our support team!!!

Williams cycle blog – Date 27th Aug

Date 27th Aug
From Brookings to Tracey
Distance 110km

As it was only a relatively short cycle today the lads wanted a lie in! I wouldn’t let them! The usual 6.30 start was agreed. After a very nice breakfast in the lovely Hampton Suit and Inn we hit the road. Our I 90 has now been replaced by highway 14 which is a much quieter and nicer road!

The last week is really starting to catch up on us and we went at a slow casual pace. So far this week we have covered nearly 500 miles and we still have 2 more to go until our beloved rest day!

We stopped off a few times today for little breaks due to sore bums, tired legs and general laziness! On our way to Tyler a small town between Brookings and Tracey we were pulled in by the editor of the local paper. He interviewed us and took a few pictures for the local papers.

We also stopped off in Beloton where some very nice old ladies queried what we were doing and what the cause was. After we outlined all of this they kindley donated! Thanks! Also in Beloton we were at the local garage topping up the water when the local sheriff came cruising along just as the tune on the local radio station was Bob Marelys I shot the sheriif but I did not shoot the deputy! Was very funny as he was singing along to it!

Leonard as usual was like a rocket and couldn’t wait to get into Tracey. When we arrived we were greeted by Jay Fulz the owner of The Park Way Apartments where we stayed and Val Roskens from the local chamber of commerce. The chamber of commerce kindly donated dinner to the team aswell which went down a treat.

Jay and Val invited us along to the local karaoke competition. Although we weren’t able to enter we did get up for a song. Rob sang pretty woman, Leonard sand N,Sync tearing up my heart as they didn’t have his original request Backstreet Boys and I tore up the house with Nellys Its gettin hot in here!!

Media updates…

The Cycle has continued to get media coverage at home and abroad.

Rob Murray of the Mankato Free Post did this great article for us to help advertise our St. Peter fundraiser :

http://mankatofreepress.com/local/x1963845429/From-Dublin-to-St-Peter

Kaija Swisher of the Black Hills Pioneer also covered the Cycle extensively and back at home, Peter Kelly at the Liffey Champion has continued to follow the Cycle.

St. Peter Fundraiser.

$190 was raised last night in Patrick’s Irish pub in St. Peter, Minnesota. Talented singer/songwriter Rob Shiels of Brazen Lungs (coincidentally, also of Cycle of America 2010) performed a varied musical set and entertained the patrons of Patrick’s.

The wonderful staff went out of their way to help us. They loaned us a guitar and donated $2 from every pint of guinness bought that night. They even fed and watered us!

A huge thank you to John Mayer the owner, Brian the manager, Mathias, and the rest of the staff at Patrick’s. You guys are awesome!