Traveling at Mach 0.012

Thursday June 19

Start: Glendive, MT
Destination: Dinosaur Historical Marker (stopped short)
Day total miles: 75
Journey total miles: 2568

Towns passed through:
Glendive, MT
Circle, MT

Sleeping in Jordan, MT

I have found the middle of nowhere and it was windy, hilly, and generally not conducive for riding. The best description of how it was: “you know it is windy when you go down a steep hill and have to shift into lower gears to make it.”

Started the day early in an attempt to beat the winds. Now my weather scouting is mainly centered on wind speed and direction. At 5, it is light here and the winds have not picked up any speed. But it is also a little cold. With fog blanketing Glendive and the temperature at 42 degrees, we started out. Ok, full disclosure time. Had my first bounce off of the pavement at the start of the ride. I tend to leave my gears set so that it is really easy to start out. Didn’t check that after the repairs, the gears were set in a high gear. Picture this… up a hill, early, just getting onto the bike, clipped in, jump up and push the right peddle and then that sick feeling of tipping over and there is nothing to do but hope for the best. Nothing major, in fact just two little scrapes – on left calf (not sure how this happened) and left elbow. It woke me up. Shook it off, muttered bad words and got it going. So, already in a bad mood and then there is this thick fog. Water was accumulating on me all over, but kept going. Pulling out of Glendive the fog vanished and I peddled hard for sunny spots. This would not be too bad I was thinking.

Not sure if I took any pictures, have to look on the camera, but don’t think so. While the morning was sunny, the terrain was just rolling hills and farmland. Nothing really spectacular. Got to Circle and stopped at the Lunch Box for breakfast. Great coffee and an awesome breakfast burrito. This was truly the highlight of the day.

Back on the road and into the wind. Figure it was blowing about 15 or so at this time. Not unbearable (yet). I got further along and then the winds picked up and the rolling hills were brutal. Was going about 5 mph on the bike and it felt like i was getting nowhere. Finally called it a day at 75 miles. Tomorrow would be another day.

Settled in at Jordan; we had a “cabin” and my office is bigger than this space. But it was clean and there was a buzz in Jordan. It was a week where the Bone Diggers were there. Paleontologists from some Univ in Kansas were there for one of several weeks of digging in the bone rich soils on the surrounding hills. Lucky us. Got the last room for miles around and the local bar – Hells Creek Bar was catering to the group of bone diggers, so we reaped the benefits. The bar was hopping and the food good. But where else can you get drafts for $4 or less, rail drinks for $2.50 and the best – go cups if you so desire. No open container laws here. We were informed of the breakfast buffet in the morning and then steak night for Friday. Heaven amongst this hell of a stretch of road.

Hard to believe that getting connected would be difficult. Had 5 days of no cell service (I am so spoiled) and weak internet service. Back in Internet and cell service area so I’ll update soon. I had a busy week. All is well and am now in Great Falls, MT.

Wednesday June 18

Scheduled rest day.

The closest bike store is in Medora. They have a replacement tire for me and can tune up the bike. Loaded up the bikes and trek back to Dakota Cyclery. I am so impressed at the passion and great service we have received at the bike shops we visit. I get a new tire and chain and adjustments to the bike to keep me in top shape. The rest of the day is spent cleaning up and catching up. Back on the road tomorrow to Somewhere west of Circle MT.

Tuesday June 17

Start: Medora, ND
Destination: Glendive, MT
Day total miles: 63
Journey total miles: 2493

Sleeping in Glendive

Towns passed through:
Medora, ND
Sentinal Butte, ND
Beach, ND
Wibaux, MT
Glendive, MT

Where to start. Plan was to wake early pack up and then take the road loop through the park at dawn to see the sights. Back up a bit. Was sleeping well, clear night, moonlight babbling brook (ok, river below). Around 130, i woke to a bit of noise, not loud, but something. But it wast the smell. Put on my glasses and looked out to see a friendly bison about 6 feet away. He looked at me disinterested and walked off into the night. Thought of taking a picture but considered that the flash may agitate my guest. Glad he did not want to cuddle up in the cool night.

Morning Light at the camp.

So, we packed up the tents and hit the road.

Not the visitor that I know of, but you get the idea.

We drove around stopping to take pictures of interesting views. Some of the interesting sights included:

We rounded a corner and then:

Here were about 100 of our best friends out for a morning stroll. They literally walked down the road for about a mile. Stopped whenever they wanted to rest, eat and look at us in amusement. Finally, they veered off the road, tired to picking on the humans and off into the valley. Shortly after that we see:

a bunch of these guys. Not as assuming as the bison.

Into Medora we go for breakfast. Done, pull out the bike for the ride and a flat rear tire. The first. replace the tube, put everything back (but the tread was facing the wrong direction; an omen for sure but I would rectify that soon enough. The flat was a thin piece of wire and an thorny thing.

Off I go. Another great tail wind and I am flying. Stop in Beach, come on you have to stop in the place called Beach, ND. Cenex seems to be the C-store of choice in these parts. Get some coffee and a snack to rest before the push to Medora. Here I learned all about seed cleaning; maybe a new business venture but not really. With the new knowledge in my head, i am off for the final push of the day. Jump onto Interstate 94 and fly down the road. What a boost the tail wind is giving me. Surely i won’t remember this the next time i face its angry cousin the headwind. Stopping to snap this:

Only 3 more of these to go.

It was too good to be true. with only 3 miles to go. thump…. and I have another flat. of course on the back. Pull way off the road and change the tire. It was a staple or some kind of wire. Patched the tube and off to complete the ride.

Staying at the Guesthouse hotel in Glendive. Great place, reasonable price very clean and helpful staff. Glad to be done, with thunderstorms predicted and delivered later that afternoon and evening. More for tomorrow. Good thing it is a day off.

Ahhh sleep without the interruptions.

Monday June 16

Start: Glen Ullin, ND
Destination: Medora, ND
Day total miles: 89
Journey total miles 2430

Sleeping in Teddy Roosevelt National Park

Towns passed through:
Glen Ullin, ND
Hebron, ND
Richardton, ND
Taylor, ND
Dickinson, ND
Belfield, ND
Medora, ND

I am not the only one around here that is bemused by the weather. The “locals” also continually comment about how windy it is and how the winds keep shifting direction. So yesterday, the winds were from the west and pretty strong (I don’t want to be accused of whining, so I won’t mention that they were gusting to 30MPH). Maybe I already mentioned it. Must be sticking in my head. Think of it as you are on a flat area, or even slightly down hill and the wind is pushing back so much that you feel like you are pedaling in sand.

Fast forward a day and the wind is shifted to being from the east. Now, all of the naysayers who continue to claim that west to east is the better way to go are faced with those wicked head winds like I was. The world sheds a new light when you move along at a good pace with less effort.

The destination was the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Medora, ND. This place should be on your bucket list. Part of the trip involved the interstate (not bad with little traffic and wide clean shoulders). I ambled along (because that is what you do out west here) and picked off small towns along the way. Saw an ethanol refinery (smells interesting), some construction, and got to view Dickinson from a different viewpoint. The highlight was:

This was the view coming down the interstate and into Medora. The park is stunning and we got to camp out on a great site located up on the bank of the Little Missouri River. Here is a shot from the campsite:

And:

Set the tents, had some nice wine and a beer to go along with the beef stroganoff in a bag. The neighbors were two friends driving to Portland to see family and camping along the way. Settled in for a good nights rest. Little did I know…

Sunday June 15

Start: Bismarck, ND
Destination: Richardton, ND
Actual Destination: Glen Ullin, ND
Day total miles: 62
Journey total miles: 2341

Towns passed through
Bismarck, ND
Mandan, ND
New Salem, ND
Glen Ullin, ND

Started with a 15 mph head wind and stopped at 30+ mph. Not the day to head west. Enough said.

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

Friday June 13

Start: Selby, SD
Destination: Pollock, SD
Day total miles: 57
Journey total miles: 2188

Towns passed through:
Glenham, SD
Mobridge, SD
Pollock, SD

Sleeping in Mobridge

The winds shifted direction, but intensified to over 30 mph. A bit breezy. Was great when riding NW, but pretty bad when had to go East and South. Had to deal with some head wind miles, and more than I cared for with cross winds. Made it to Pollock, my intended destination. Sleeping back in Mobridge, as there was nothing available in Pollock (population 182 i believe). Will drive back to pollock to resume tomorrow. did not think that i would be happy with 10 mph head winds predicted.

Lunch was classic at Grumpy’s Bar and Grill – deep fried brats.

View of Mobridge on the climb out of town

Thursday June 12

Start: Pierre, SD
Destination: Selby, SD
Day total miles: 88
Journey total miles: 2131

Towns passed through:
Pierre, SD
Onida, SD
Agar, SD
Selby, SD

Sleeping in Selby

Wednesday June 11

Caught up on rest, laundry and worked on schedule for the remainder of the trip.