NW/WWF Loop-Day 2-We Made it to Duluth!

Some of you who might be reading this knew we had a lot of miles to do on the second day. Fortunately, we more yesterday, se we were able to chip off some of today’s miles. Still, it was going to be a long day. 

We got going at 7:50. For the first time ever, I am touring with someone who gets ready faster than me! However, in all fairness, she doesn’t eat breakfast. It took my usual just under 2 hours to get ready. 

It was chilly, but we were continuing with the rollercoaster hills, and we warmed up pretty quickly. 

Rollers as far as you can see. 

We spent most of the day on gravel roads. There was one pretty sandy section, but it was okay. Periodically, we would pop out to pavement like yesterday, but for seemingly shorter distances (until we came into Superior, then it was pavement the rest of the way).

We stopped in Solon Springs to get water (and a banana and chocolate milk for me). The IGA was good enough. 

Once we returned to gravel, it was on this ATV trail. Strangely, we didn’t stay on the ATV trail, even though it crossed the route again later. 

The ATV Trail parallel to the Hwy. 

Stopped at this roadside produce stand. Lani got some tomatoes. I tried to convince her to get the baseball bat sized zucchini. 

As we came into Hawthorne, we decided we need to eat some lunch. We found these chairs sitting by the side of the road. We took advantage of them. 



The landscape changed from woods to farm land as we made our way to Superior. 

Of in the distance, you can see Lake Superior. 

Today’s route seemed to be either going straight North, or straight West. The wind was much more favorable going north. It was largely a headwind going west. 

Finally, we came into the city of Superior (the last before crossing into Minnesota). We stopped at a Kwik Trip and each got a pint of Talenti gelato. It was delicious! 

We still had about 14 miles to go. We were staying at a Warmshowers host’s named Chris. He was in Duluth. From Superior, we took the back roads to the bridge over to Minnesota. 

The bike path to the bridge. 

The Bong Bridge (funny name for a bridge, if you ask me). 

In the middle of the bridge, we had to switch to Segment 1 of the Northwoods Route. There was no welcome to Minnesota sign. 

We made our way into Duluth on a bike trail. Eventually, we made it to the Lakeside Trail. 

In the distance is the Bong Bridge. 

The iconic bridge in Duluth. 

Double lighthouses. 

Tugboat. 

The Lakeside Trail. 

Billy on the shores of Gitcheegomie (Lake Superior)

We had 1.8 miles to get to Chris’ house. 95% of it was uphill. Up until then, I had not had to use my easiest gear. I did to climb the hills in Duluth! But, we made it. We met Chris’ roommates, Katie and Brent, and Katie’s dog Edna. Chris came back a bit later. Really great kids! Katie made a plum crumble that was delicious! 

Now I need to go to sleep. My legs are tired, and so is the rest of me.