MN Adventure, Part 1: The Reunion Tour

My long-awaited visit to Jill and Tim , on their home turf north of Minneapolis, proved to be an unforgettable weekend.

Farmer's market in downtown MPLS

The Bianchi arrived a day before I did, and so shortly after getting into town and having a coffee with Jill, Tim roped me into his Thursday training ride, on one of his typical afternoon routes.



'The Shrine'

'Typical', for Jill and Tim, is a little different than what I'm used to. And so, on Thursday afternoon, Tim and I rode out for an 'easy' 70 mile loop that included a 25 mph headwind all the way out. And that was just the first day. I was nervous.

Jill met us about 5 miles from the end of the ride, with ice water in fresh bottles. Is Tim really that spoiled? Turns out that, yes, he is - and Jill would prove herself to be not only the strong cyclist I knew her to be, but the world's greatest domestique. Ever.

Thursday night ended wtih plenty of beer, homemade bruschetta, and a plan for the next few days. Jill and I would ride into town tomorrow (Friday) to do some sightseeing, and then on Saturday I would ride with Tim on his typical weekend training route. Jill, driving support, would let me throw my bike in the car whenever I decided enough was enough.

Jill taught me how to make bruschetta. I taught her how to make a gardener martini.

I was ecstatic to be hanging out with Jill and Tim again (seems stupid that friends from the midwest only see each other once a year, in Death Valley). And I was looking forward to whatever adventures awaited me, whether or not I was ready.

Click here for all photos from this trip, on Flicker.