Traveling at Mach 0.012

Saturday June 14

Start: Pollock, SD
Destination: Bismarck, ND
Day total mileage: 91
Journey total mileage: 2279

Sleeping at Wingate in Bismarck, ND

Towns passed through:
Pollock, SD
Bismarck, ND
That is correct, no towns in between.

Leaving South Dakota. Since I did not get a picture coming in, here is the welcome sign as I leave.

Welcome to North Dakota

Started the day in Pollock, SD; well actually in Mobridge. Stayed at the East Side Motel and we have a new low bar for motels (Sorry East Side). Still managed to sleep and got up ready to ride up to Pollock to resume my ride north and west. It was cool and humid with some patchy fog. Put on 10 quick miles and was soon at the border of SD/ND. Along the way, spotted my first bison of the journey. Ok, they were in a pasture.

There was a lot to see as I pedaled along. The wildlife included several deer including a mule deer. Jumped up a bunch of pheasants; they seem to like the wide swale along side the roads. Even saw a dead coyote – they have some mean looking teeth. The most interesting wildlife aspect of the trip involved honey bees. There I was, pedaling along in the morning sun (no wind, mild temps) and I saw a bunch of hives on the right. Interesting I thought, until zap, something bounced off my helmet. Then another. All of a sudden, i was bombarded by bees as I rolled along. Apparently I rode through their morning flight path. No stings, but a bunch of hits.

At about 50 miles, it started to sprinkle. This was the case for about 5 miles, and then the rain started for real. Rode the final 35 miles with a little head wind and almost constant and steady wind. Met up with EK at about 20 miles from the hotel. By the time we arrived, I was cold and throughly soaked. The rain jacket helps to keep my upper body warm, but with sweating and the cold air as soon as I stop the cold attacks. Finally arrived at the Wingate on the north side of town. I rolled my bike into the lobby and was cheerfully greeted by the young lady at the front desk. She was not fazed by the puddle my bike made on the floor. I asked about the availability of our rooms and at first she told me they were not clean yet. She ran to get towels for me and then found available rooms. I think it was the dripping, drowned rat look that helped.

Tomorrow on to Richardton.

Here are a few photos from today:

The bison

An interesting butte alongside the road.

View of the valley