Day 23 – Plans in place

I will start cycling again tomorrow, so there was plenty to do today in preparation for the next three weeks. My bike has been given its health check and is back and ready for action. I feel fully rested. My clothes are all clean and dry. And I have passed a peaceful day on the farm working out my next moves.

I know some of you like to know where I will be going, so here is the rough plan. It breaks into three parts, each about a week long. First, tomorrow, I will head into the middle of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul to see the sights and pick up the Mississippi River. Then I plan to follow the banks of the Mississippi southeast for a couple of days, briefly entering the state of Iowa, before heading east along the Wisconsin River valley to the larger cities of Madison and Milwaukee. This is a change of plan brought about by unforeseen transport challenges. But from Milwaukee I will be able to take a ferry across Lake Michigan.

Part two then takes me across the centre of Michigan and above Detroit to enter Ontario, Canada via a small ferry. I should point out that neither of the ferries I am taking to enter and leave Michigan are the ones I was originally planning to use. However, these are both out of commission for the foreseeable future due to mechanical damage, one of which occurred quiet recently. It has meant a rethink to my route; but it’s not a showstopper. In fact, despite a few more miles, it could make it better.

I will then continue east across Ontario until I reach Niagara Falls, where I may allow myself a day off. Then, the final 8 days will be from Niagara Falls to New York City, in the company of a friend from home, which will be very welcome. That section promises to be largely traffic-free.

All in all I expect that what lies ahead will be quite different to what lies behind me, and should contain plenty of variety along the way. I’m looking forward to seeing it all.

Of course that is not the end of the journey; but we will deal with the final sections in the fullness of time. There is plenty to think about in the next few days. I have accommodation booked for the next three nights, and after that we will see what possibilities emerge. It doesn’t do to over plan an adventure like this, because, as we have seen, things change!