We finally made it into North Dakota a couple of days ago. Montana is certainly the "widest" state in the Union. Amazingly, as soon as we crossed the North Dakota state line, the farms took on a different look and the people took on a different accent. North Dakota is rolling hills of green, green, wheat, barley and canola (rapeseed). Farms are manicured to the "T." People are smiling and helpful.
Yesterday was difficult with headwinds and rain. After only 34 miles we made it to the tiny town of Ray where there was no place to get out of the weather. At the c-store on the edge of town a clerk volunteered to let us stay in her boyfriend's trailer for $20. We didn't have water, but we had electricity and a roof over our heads. The trailer swayed in the wind and rain.
Today we awakened to blue sky and a 23-mph tailwind! The "Bicycle Gods" were smiling! I rode 96 miles in 6.5 hours (with rests). At times I sat up and just let the wind push me~no pedaling at 23 mph. What a trip! This is the best day of riding so far. It's a good thing we had a tailwind because there was absolutely no place to stay on this 96 mile stretch of Hwy 2. Due to the oil boom in ND, all the motels in the small towns are occupied by the oil well workers on a monthly basis. With the ferocious wind, setting up a tent would be a struggle. I tried to stop and take a picture but the wind was so strong, I couldn't even stand up, hold my bike and find my camera at the same time.
I love my I-Pod. The music and books on tape make the long miles fly by. I'm careful to keep the sound low enough that I can hear approaching traffic. I've also become heavily dependent upon my bike mirror. Bike Friday is holding up well. I did have one tire blow out at 1,200 miles. I neglected to rotate front and back when that "little voice" told me to do so. I have more on order at Morgan's in Chicago in a week.
We'll do a layover day here in Minot to work on our bikes and rest. Then eastward again hoping to be in Duluth in a week. More later~~~~~~Cycling Grandma Lucy
3 comments:
Hey there! I am one of Shirleys Grandchildren, and I stumbled accross your blog here. Its facinating, please be safe and keep updating!
Bike Friday? July? Across the country. Only you would try something crazy like this. (grin)
Enjoy reading about your progress. I wish that you had a nice little netbook along so you could post more frequently.
the Cycling poodle
Very interesting reading about your "adventure". Good luck and keep the info coming
Naydene
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