June 16, 2005

“Watch out for those hoochie coochie women!”

We both had a great night’s sleep in the parsonage last night. Yesterday was the first short day we have had in the ten previous days. It did a lot to let our bodies recover. We both woke up refreshed and ready to go. We were on the road at 7:15.

Today’s weather was clear and crisp with daytime temps in the 70’s. There was a light wind out of the southeast (head to cross) of five to ten MPH but with the clear weather and the route there was only one section where we were heading directly into it that it significantly affected our progress. We had the usual four-meal day. Breakfast before we left, a thirty mile ride to a full breakfast in a café, a thirty mile ride to lunch, and dinner in camp. We had a good day of just over 110 miles and averaged 13.8 MPH for the day.

A lot of the low lying farms have a lot of water in them and it looks like the corn harvest for those farmers will be a low yield. Even the higher terrain fields looked very wet but at least the crops were growing. At lunch we were talking to three guys at the next table and I mentioned the number of mosquitoes. One of them said: “Hey watch out, that’s our state bird!”

This is a farmer's field

Another field

We got in camp at around 6:45 as we stopped a bike shop in Fargo that took about an hour. We needed to pick up a couple of items and Nick had his bike looked at to find a creak. The bike tech did a clean out of his rear cassette and bottom bracket, but the creak persisted. I held the bike and twisted the handlebars and found that the front quick release holding the front tire on was loose and causing the squeak. The tech blushed a bit, but Nick was happy to have the work done on the cassette and bottom bracket.

The prospect of finally leaving ND was a motivator to us. ND with the winds and rain was not the best of experiences. As we approached Fargo there were two middle aged women at an intersection in bright yellow clothing serving as construction flag women. The hailed us down and asked us to take a break. We stopped and talked for a few minutes and found that the Australian rider passed through about two hours earlier. It’s possible if he takes the same route that we may catch him tomorrow unless he stays in Fargo tonight. In that case we passed him. As we rode on the heavier of the two women said: “Watch out for those hoochie coochie women in Fargo!” Nick looked at me kind of funny, as I don’t think he ever heard the term "hoochie coochie" before.

As we rode through Fargo we passed the 1,800-mile mark, which we estimate is about the half way mark. Nick was impressed with Fargo as he was expecting a much more run down place. I half been there about four times previously as I officiated the Junior Nationals wrestling tournament at the Fargo Dome about four times. We could see the Fargo Dome from our route and it brought back some memories.

Buffalo River State Park is a well-kept park with warm water showers. We met a family at a campsite across from us. They asked us a lot of questions about our trip and were amazed how self contained we were.

As we were eating dinner a car drove up with two young girls in it. They yelled out the window to Nick and asked him if we knew where so and so were camping. Nick told them no and they drove on. I said to Nick: “Watch out for those hoochie coochie women!” He gave me a smirk and laughed.

Jim

Cycledog (Ride the extra mile!!)

© 2005 - JNS

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