A perfect, perfect day for the St Paul Classic today.
The tentative weather of the previous days surrendered to a spectacular dawn this morning. Clear blue skies. Crisp air without a hint of rain – always a treat in September. A better day could not have been provided us.
We were on the route a little after 8am. Volunteers monitoring the barriers that kept the roads clear of vehicular traffic huddled around makeshift fires or under blankets. More than one group of volunteers greeted riders with shrieks of encouragement. A bit much for 8am on a Sunday morning, but their enthusiasm was welcomed.
My BTC (beloved travel companion) took the abbreviated route while my friend and I took a longer loop, focusing on a new section of the tour. It was a pleasant surprise. Our loop took us to an overlooked regional park alongside the river, complete with a small lilypad infused lake, that I did not know existed. A welcome discovery.
While the roads were free of traffic, railroad tracks had their own challenge. A comical series of events led to a freight train blocking the route – with no clear understanding of when the train would move. “Ten minutes,” the engineer himself offered, “maybe.” Those with a familiarity with the downtown cycled ahead to the next junction and across into the Science Museum. One flight of stairs put us back on a trail that led back to the original route. Rare is the cycling tour that involves stair-climbing
The return took us back along the abbreviated route – which went straight up Ramsey Hill. I had determined that I had three goals for the day
- Do not die
- Do not pass out
- Do not get walk the bike up any hills
Ramsey Hill put item 3 to the test. Watching other cyclists showed that an uphill slalom would be a reasonable alternative. While I remained in awe of those who motored straight up the hill – especially those with children in bike trailers – I achieved the goal and made it without disembike-ing. Those who made it to the top were rewarded with a badge for braving the hill – a badge I felt I earned.
