Mesabi Trail Ride 2012

Saturday found the Husband and I getting up pretty darn early to get to Virginia, MN, to catch a shuttle to Grand Rapids, MN, for the 2012 Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Ride.  This was my third time doing this organized ride, the Husband's 2nd.  And for the first time, they were offering a metric century route of 64 miles...which, I clocked at 68 miles when I dismounted at the car at the finish line.  Someone should check their GPS...  Not that I'm complaining too much.  It's more miles toward my yearly total after all! 

It was with some trepidation that our bus traversed along Hwy 169 this morning.  Low, pedulant clouds, heavy humidity and at one point a downpour had the group wondering if it was going to be a long wet trail.  We were all proven wrong (other than a wet trail) and nary a drop fell for the rest of the ride.

This is a well  organized bike ride.  The route is clearly marked. The volunteers are wonderful and great at getting folks across road crossings safely.  The food at the numerous rest stops is very tasty - locally baked cookies, fresh fruit, and variety of chips (good for salt intake).  And, from the four accidents we saw this year, everyone was super about making sure the person was taken care of until medical help arrived. 

Hawkins Mine Pit Overlook in Nashwauk -
First Mine in Itasca County operated from 1902-1962
and shipped 25,000,000 tons of iron.
picture from www.mesabitrail.com

Yup.  Four accidents that we saw (previous years I only saw one, and his ego and bike were the only casualties there).  Guy number one didn't even make it 2 miles outside of Grand Rapids when his tires must have slipped on the wet pavement and down he went.  Ambulance took him away.  Broken or sprained ankle we suspect.  Guy number two was sitting with a towel to his face, while his buddy and a volunteer waited for medical assistance - he face planted.  Going to fast.  Guy number three must have disregarded the volunteer warning people to SLOW DOWN - 90* turn ahead! AND the big sign that emphasized that and fired himself into the weeds.  Luckily no trees.  Ambulance took him away.  Not sure how guy number four bit it.  But The Husband overheard he went over his handlebars. 

However, the Husband and I finished with no problems other than tired legs and slightly sore tushies.  My final statistics: Weather was overcast for first 2 hours, partly cloudy for 1, and sunny for last two. Temperatures ranged from about 70-75* with a nice tailwind.

4h 32m ride time
average speed 15.0
total ride time 5 hours
(10 minutes at each rest stop which is what you want.  Enough time to stretch, eat, and pee.) 

The route has changed from year to year;  I look forward to seeing what they chose to do next year!

Old tailing piles outside of Hibbing
picture from www.mesabitrail.com