Tomorrow I leave for Maple Grove, MN to start my next bicycle adventure.  This is really my first trip since the Coast to Coast in 2019.  That is not to say that I haven’t been riding!  I follow a forum from Cruzbike (the company who manufactured my bike), and an avid participant has been setting up different “Challenges” for the past few years.  Since I always need a goal to keep myself exercising, I have participated.  I could always ride right around home & so never traveled far.  That was convenient, especially during the Covid 19 years.

One year it was pick a 12 mile route & ride it every week, working to improve your speed on that route.

One year it was challenge yourself to ride 3,000 mile between May and October. (I did 3,004)

One year it was build up your endurance throughout the season to ride the fastest century (100 miles) you have ever done.  (15.4 mph for me at 69 yr old.  Not fast compared to a lot of Cruzbikers, but I was satisfied, and exhausted, that day.)

This year he didn’t have a challenge, so I needed a different incentive.  I saw a post on Facebook from another Coaster about this trip, and it was just what I was ready for.  I’m looking forward to this ride, meeting some new folks, and enjoying Northern Minnesota in late summer.

Not much has changed with my Q 45 Cruzbike since 2019 when I rode it across the country.  Here is a current picture:

I have replaced the chain & the tires a few times because they were worn out.  The biggest change for me is where I store my water bottle.  Notice it is under the front boom.  I have a tube that I drink through, and I find this very convenient.

Thanks for checking out this blog.  If you leave me a comment or question, I’ll try to reply, but I’m going to be kind of busy riding my bike.