J and I planned a ride to Stillwater using the Gateway State Trail. Any ride that requires a new route and or navigation requires I ride with J.
(not literally word for word... too old to remember exact verbiage)
Act 1: Minnesota State Capitol
Our ride started at my house. We then took trails to the Minnesota State Capitol.
M: "It says turn right, but it's a dead end."
J: "Did you follow the directions? These directions are for the other side of the capitol. We need to start from the other side of the Capitol."
J obviously can read the map that I printed out and follow basic directions. I, on the other hand, only can look confused and follow along.
Act II: Freight House
We stopped at the Freight House for lunch. The sign says No Bikes on the Deck.
Yes, I say can instead of may, and I'm an English major.
M: "Can we bring our bikes up on the deck?"
Server: "No. Bikes aren't allowed on the deck. Plus, we have a big event today."
M: "We forgot our bike locks at home. Can we put them here next to the deck, so we can see them?"
Server to Manager: "They forgot their bike locks at home."
Manager: "Sure. Sit at the corner table and park your bikes on the deck next to your table."
M: "Thanks!"
I love it when I am allowed to break the rules. Plus, I was able to refill my lemonade and put it in my bike water bottle.
Act III: Myrtle Hill and Chilkoot Cafe & Cyclery
As I'm pedaling up a steep hill (Myrtle Avenue/Street) with J in front of me, I shift to a lower gear to have my chain fall off and get stuck. We walk back down to the bottom of the hill and get directions to a cycle shop. As we are walking to the cycle shop, I have fingers full of grease and grease marking on my legs from my attempt to release the chain.
Woman Stranger: "Are you OK?"
M: "Yes, we're walking to the bike shop."
WS: "I don't know of a bike shop in that direction, but Chilkoot is back two blocks and up to the right a block."
It seems the lady at the gas station gave us the wrong directions. If this lady hadn't stopped us and been concerned, we would have kept walking even farther from our destination.
BTW- The guys at Chilkoot were amazing. They fixed my bike (bent derailleur and chain), helped me get the grease off my hands, and gave us directions to get back to our destination without charging us anything. Although I gave them $10, I know it wasn't enough.
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