Today, I went for the first time to Waconia, the MN Ironman bike ride's new location.
It was 43 and sprinkling when I drove there, and sleeting when I took my bike off the roof of my car. It sprinkled for a while longer, then rained in earnest while we fought a formidable North headwind (which actually was scarier as a side wind when we headed East). My frequentish riding partner Matt and I noticed a highly unusual number of beaver dams, which makes me wonder if Waconia has an unusually large number of beavers, or whether it has a normal number who are unusually industrious.
I am tired, I think from riding in the cold wetness more than from warming up with a beer at the Waconia Brewery.
I am glad I did this ride, which served as a reminder that I can survive rain and was a good test run of my rain gear (which is old and needs an upgrade, I learned).
Yesterday, we had our first group training ride for our team, but only a few people braved the 40-degree temps. I took a selfie to better demonstrate my gear. The photo serves as a reminder that I wore the base layer all weekend long (well, 36 hours straight, and for two bike rides), which probably is a gross thing to do, but I can't just share complimentary info about myself, you know.
On the way to the start of the team ride yesterday, I rode through the Fort Snelling historic site and realized that they very recently changed all of their signs to say "at Bdote." That's the Dakota word for the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. I really appreciate the MN Historical Society's recognition of the fact that the Fort was built on a site that was really important to the Dakota.
Friday, I won a hat from my friend's brewery while at a fundraiser for Engineers Without Borders, a cool organization. Who knew we'd need to wear stocking caps in the beginning of May??!?
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/MS150Maggie2017
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