After a 3 day break in Chicago, I continued my tour and headed westward. My next big segment took me from Chicago to Alexandria, Minnesota. I cycled through Illinois, Wisconsin, and most of Minnesota along the most quite trails and farm roads. The farm lands I traversed collectively make the farms of Organic Valley, the independent cooperative and organic farmers brand.
After 85 miles of cycling, I arrived at my Warmshowers host and I helped him plant a few acres of soybean using the tractor above. The tractor was GPS operated, so I helped by keeping the guy company as the machine went out and back on the field.
The photo above was taken while on a century long ride which took me from Rockford, Illinois to Dubuque, Iowa.
After a very short stay in Iowa, I left and headed north into Wisconsin. That day I rode 75 miles and ended in Gays Mills, Wisconsin - my favorite town of the whole trip. Gays Mills is a town of 64 people and I stayed with a family that has been living the alternative lifestyle I'm after for many years.
When I arrived at La Crosse, I felt really tired and decided to not continue to my destination which was another 30 miles north. I got in touch with another Warmshowers host and he was kind enough to let me take a extra day of rest in La Crosse.
Minnesota's trail system is incredible. After nearly 1500 miles of cycling I met 4 bicycle tourist on a 50 mile long trail system and I rode with two of them, top right two - Dave and Gary, till Alexandria, Minnesota.
This segment marks about 1600 miles of my trip. It took me 8 days to cycle 550 miles with 1 rest day. My next segment will take me from Alexandria, Minnesota to Bismark, North Dakota.