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Pasties are few and far between down here away from the mining areas. But I now know where to get one. I'll post a pasty picture sometime in the near future.

Great that you can still get out and tour no matter what life throws at you, even freezing weather. Only complaint is I don't recall seeing a pasty.

Thanks Emily. I absolutely agree with what you said about winding down with pen and paper journaling. I can't get comfortable doing it in my tent though. Thank goodness for our American-style campgrounds with picnic tables.

I'm happy for you that the mini-tours concept worked and it was a good compromise for getting out on the bike for a bit when life precludes you from a longer tour. I do think pen and paper journaling is a nice way to review the day and wind-down. It does it in a way journaling on the computer just doesn't. I've always enjoyed cozy evenings in the tent so much more than motel nights, so I'm glad you were able to get out in the tent when the weather was suitable. I'll look forward to whatever the tough guy gets up to next year.

What a nice mini-tour to wrap up the 2022 series. I think you had a nice combination of crap factors to make it a challenge - many different crap surfaces and several crap forms of precip - and worth the ride. I think tough guys need a bit of adversity for the trip to be fun. If it was sunshine and birdsong for very long, I think you might get a bit bored. My perception of MN and WI is 'lots of water and lots of bugs' - so I guess in winter that translates to lots of snow and not so many bugs - but my experience in both states is pretty limited. After 20-some years of mild winters, I really dread having to live thru a U.S. winter at some point when my parents' health requires it. For now, I will 'enjoy' the snow through your tours. I look forward to seeing icicle season.

I've always preferred carrying my bike that way vs. wheeling it. For sure, it's easier to carry it on your shoulder in deep snow.

Hi Mark, Cycle365 is a really weird secret society--kind of like the Freemasons. JUST KIDDING! It's small website dedicated to posting stories about day rides. The hosts are Scott and Rachael Anderson. Sad to say, the participation has been dwindling recently. We'd be glad to have you join in though.
https://cycle365.life/

I keep seeing references in Cycle Blaze to Cycle365, but when I google it I just get a bike shop, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Is there something else?

I WILL come up with something, but for a while it will be on Cycle365.

I've gotta say... you kinda look like a Tough Guy with that bike slung over your shoulder like that.

Thank you much for your compliment about stream-of-consciousness writing. I think it's an unconscious form of stream-of-consciousness, but that's how I roll.

And thanks for the advice on the Bluetooth keyboard. I haven't stomped it yet. I did post that second page without wifi, so I guess I got a little too excited by the idea of strong 5G signals being EVERYWHERE. I should have known that was too good to be true.

I can't tell you how much we enjoyed meeting you guys, not once, but twice. We both love to keep up on where in the world you are.

Thank you for entertaining us with your JOURNAL. I so enjoyed following along on your Different Touring. I will miss seeing your words and photos every month, but maybe just maybe you will come up with something in the thaw ;’-).

You keep being you, Greg. Those of us who travel to your blog (journal) appreciate the stream-of-conciousness and lighthearted writing. It's something we look forward to in our "What's New" page each day.

Regarding the bluetooth keyboard - to update the journal you need a connection to the internet. But you can connect the bluetooth to the phone wherever you are. So don't perform the bluetooth-stomp dance just yet. I've updated a journal off-line by using the Notes features on my iPad/Phone, and then posting the text from my phone into the blog (journal) when I get connection.