June 12, 2005

“I’m not going to listen to any one any more.”

We started out with crystal clear skies, temps in the mid 60’s, and no winds to speak of. Our target of Minot was 115 miles using the Adventure Cycling Association maps and 105 using “the 2” (US Route 2) option. We asked the owner of Lund’s Landing, Bob (Nick thinks that’s his name) if it was hilly using “the 2” option and he said “No it is real flat” and that it was a “much better route”. About 13 miles in we had to go north toward Route 2. The first thing we saw was a moderate hill and I asked Nick if he still wanted to go to Route 2. He said yes as its 10 miles shorter and flat. As we crested the first little hill there was a short flat, then another hill, and another, and another, and then one big long fairly steep one. The total elevation change in the four or five miles was around 650 feet. When we reached “the 2” there were a bunch of ups and downs of around 150 feet and there started to be a slight head wind which changed to moderate, to light and back the rest of the day. At one point Nick turned and said to me “I’m not going to listen to any one any more.” referring to our question “Are there many hills?”

Along the route we came upon a local cyclist, a woman in her 30’s who was out training for one of the North Dakota multi day touring rides that is supposed to be a big deal out here. Nick asked her repeatedly how the terrain was ahead of us and her reply was always “Well on that ride I took in this or that year it’s pretty hilly.” She never gave him a straight answer except to tell us that there was a pretty good downhill going into Minot. We slowed down and she stayed with us for around five miles as we protected her from the winds. At one point Nick took the lead and speeded up and we pulled away. I turned, waived and said “So long.” She said, “Have a safe journey.”

The roads on “the 2” were pretty good where the cars travel but the shoulders were bumpy and uneven. As we crossed one county line I said to Nick “The people in this County probably have the same crappy Congressman as the last and he is not doing his job getting money to fix these roads.” Nick told me later that he found that humorous and that thinking about that kept his minds off the head winds that we faced all day.

Happy Hay People

Our progress was significantly slowed due to the winds and they picked up some after lunch in Stanley, ND. We went a mile or so off Rt 2 into the town, which looked deserted. It is Sunday and almost everything was closed. We turned around and were heading out of town when the Sheriff was driving by. Nick waved him down and asked if there was anywhere to get a meal and he directed us to a place about a mile further into town on the north side of the tracks. The place was good sized and it was about three quarters filled with mostly seniors out for a Sunday lunch. The prices were reasonable. I had the special (Beef sticks with gravy and double mashed potatoes as a substitute for the corn and coleslaw). Nick had a burger and fries and his usual “picture of water – no ice.” We got a lot of unusual looks but no one asked us anything while inside. On the way out we were asked about our trip, but not inside. There must be some unwritten rule in Stanley not to talk to strangers at lunch.

Due to the winds we decided to shorten our day. When we came across Berthold it had a sign showing camping. As we headed in another sign directed us to the City Park for camping. They actually have a section with electrical hook ups for motor homes. It’s all free.

Dinner at Berthold City Park

We set up our tents under a pavilion as the dew has been heavy in the morning and it has been taking us too long to dry things out before we leave. The pavilion has electrical outlets and since we are close to the school there is a low level Wi-Fi signal from “Vo-Ag.”

There’s supposed to be a couple of bike shops in Minot. I hope one of them has patch kits and tires when we get there tomorrow.

Jim

Cycledog (Ride the extra mile!!)

© 2005 - JNS

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