East. Day 56.

patti brehler
May 31, 2021
2 min read

August 3, 2016

Bowlus to the Biker's Bunkhouse in Dalbo, Minnesota

An old bicycle hangs from a pole off a brick building. — Bicyele art over Jordie's Trailside Cafe. Bowlus, MN.

An old two-story building across the street from a grassy park. — The view from the park where I camped.

Goodbye Bowlus and Jordie's Trailside Cafe.

Back on roads instead of bike paths, it was a glorious ride east. Fun to smile at memories of pedaling the other way. Crossing the Mississippis River was easier this time. I cruised through Royalton, where I took refuge from the wind and enjoyed a fresh Ceasar salad. There--the deserted house where I sat on the grass for a rest (and picked up a tick).

I had a pang of pity for my west-bound, wind-fighting self.

Something poked my finger as I shifted. The day I rode into Gackle with Robin and Loren I found a single fray on my rear derailleur cable at the shifter. I twisted it until it broke off. Now I felt several more.

"I'll have time to check it out at the Bunkhouse," I said to no one.

Passing the big town of Milaca (population 2500), I stopped at a Dollar Store--good prices on the Compleats meals--but a package of pre-cooked bacon caught my eye. I remembered free eggs and bread in the Biker's Bunkhouse. Gonna have a good breakfast tomorrow. Then I remembered the Bunkhouse had air conditioning. Ahhhh.

A wide driveway toward a barn. A sign that says Advernture Cyclist Bunkhouse leans against a pine tree. A flag pole and flag are on the right. — The Biker's Bunkhouse.

An outside wooden shower building, with "shower" written in black on a piece of tree above the open door. — The Bunkhouse shower.

A view of a room with a wood platform for a bed. — Individual rooms in the Bunkhouse.

Inside a wood bunkhouse. A recumbent bicycle leans agains the wall to the right. There are shelves on the left iwth canned goods and a doorway into a kitchen in the middle — My bike in the Bunkhouse.

To the left of a window ia a bulletin board filled with phohtographs. Outside the window is a white house and trees. — The view of Donn's house from the Bunkhouse.

A close picture of several photographs of bicyclists and their bikes on a bulletin board. — And a photo of me on the Bunkhouse corkboard!

Before showering, I dropped gear from my bike and repaired my shift cable. I was lucky. Only a few spare threads held the thing together. No worries, I installed a new cable in no time. I basked in cool air and wrote down some of the sayings posted around the Bunkhouse:

"Of course I talk to myself. Sometimes I need expert advice."

A long cable is coiled on some lined writing paper, the end sticks up and is frayed. — "I am the best mechanic around."

"A good friend will come bail you out of jail...but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, 'Damn that was fun!"

Two women dressed in matching white and pink jerseys, bicycle helmets, and black shorts are being handcuffed by two state troopers. All are laughing. — Me and Lou getting handcuffed during an organized fun ride.

"Believe you can and you're halfway there." -- T. Roosevelt.

An old photo of a town sign (Sheridan Lake), under which is a young woman holding up a brown paper bag on which is written "1/2 way." There are two loaded touring biycles leaning against the sign posts. — Halfway across the USA on B'76. 1976.

My trip was winding down. The ride this day was amazing, I didn't have to work hard at all. Was my FitBit broken? My resting heart rate was down to 58--back in my racing days it rarely hit went as low as 60.

Before bed I wrote this Facebook post: "I love my daily FaceTime with my momma, Louise Brehler."

Tomorrow? Wisconsin!

From my B'76 journal:

We all got some kind of virus and I had it yesterday (diarrhea and the whole bit). Feel much better today, but weak. The ride was super fantastic--we're in the real mountains now [Smoky Mountains]--the route was great. Even though I felt weak, the ride didn't seem too hard. Hope it keeps up.

An old bicyle leans against a large mailbox in front of a brick house, with a sign that says "Bikecentennial 76 Welcome". — Welcoming sign in 1976.

Two young men and a woman sit on a bench in front of a store with a Coca-Cola sign. Three loaded bicycle touring bickes surround them. — Taking a break in 1976. Tom, Little Dave, and Loree.

A woman wearing a white t-shirt and black shorts has her head and hands in a wooden device. A man wearing a white tshirt and black shorts and glasses stands behind her. — Held captive by Lon. 1976.

patti brehler

East. Day 56.

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