LONG DAY - 111 MILES. RAIN.
Left Richardton early to get to bike store in Bismarck. One hour time change, now on central time, Fair winds and threatening skies. The rain caught me, about 6 hrs riding in the rain, including some on I-94. Riding in the rain was ok, except for the freeway portion. At least temps were ok. For you sailors, I started on a port beam reach but it turned into close hauled or even directly on the nose. Not strong, but strong enough.
I stopped under an awning at a local drug store to eat my candy bar and drink Gatorade (lunch). I must have been a pathetic site, they asked me to come inside.
Arrived Bismarck as rain cleared. Went to 701 Cycles. Great folk, got a new chain and rear cassette. Tried to find a room in Bismarck, no luck. This is the weekend for the world’s largest softball tournament, all rooms booked. So as Dori from Finding Nemo says “Just keep swimming”. 27 miles down the road I am happily at a little roadside motel for about 1/3 the cost of a Bismarck hotel room that I could not find. Less miles tomorrow. Don’t ask me about Bismarck, I did not see it.
I must admit these days on the road are quite lonely. Today with the rain, and then getting “kicked out” of Bismarck, it was hard to smell the roses. I suspect that playing the soundtrack to Dr. Zhivago was not the most spirit uplifting soundtrack that I could have chosen.
By the numbers:
Dist - 111.3 miles
Elev Gain - 2,918
Elev Loss - 3,508
Moving time 9:26
Warren,
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone---we are all following with you. Even your barber, Mike Platz, is now engaged. You are inspiring all of us!
Warren, I agree with Paul. You are not alone; we are following you daily with interest and solidarity. I was reading your post this morning to Johanne and marveling at your endurance and your strength. I'm looking forward to joining you in 2 weeks. Doug
ReplyDeleteOof. I feel your... solitude, pain, and not-quite despair at getting "kicked out" of Bismarck. Hang in there. Hank
ReplyDeleteHi W,
ReplyDeleteSounds like the 25th was a brutal day both physically and emotionally. Nancy and I are checking your progress daily on the Garmin website, as well as reading your blog. I like zooming in on the satellite mode to watch the blue dot move across the countryside.... Know we are with you in spirit, W, cheering you on. P
Would you mind sharing the blue dot URL? maxwells@nutn.net (I'm on his old men's rowing team)
DeleteWell, the lttle extra means a nicer day tomorrow. You didn't miss much in Bismarck. It's hard to anticipate events like that. Sometimes the Adventure Cycle maps list them if you are on one of those. After all the blistering weather, I hope the rain offered some relief. We hope some comes our way soon. And I hope you have fair winds tomorrow on a shorter day. eg
ReplyDeleteWe're with you!
ReplyDelete