Bismarck to Glen Ullin, North Dakota Wednesday, July 28, 2021
OK, let’s see if we can get this party restarted. I’ve licked my wounds long enough. Got out by 6:30, threaded the streets of Bismarck, and crossed the Missouri for the last time; now I am really entering the West.
Blessedly, things were easier today. It was still 58 miles, still almost 2000 feet of climbing, but the temperature just barely reached 90°, and the wind, though strong, was a crosswind, which served to keep me cooler, rather than slow me down. There were also facilities along the way, so I didn’t need to worry so much about food and water. Phone calls from friends, as always, were an elixir.
The Adventure Cycling route offered a shortcut, which saved 60 miles but required 13 miles along Interstate 94. The narrative promised “broad shoulders” but these have since been marred by a particularly noxious type of intermittent rumble strip that ate up all but 18 inches on each side. This is partially evident at far right in the photo, what you don’t see is the thin strip of rideable pavement on the other side, away from the traffic, that itself was often half covered with weeds.
I took the photo to demonstrate the occasional buttes that you would see along the way.
Irksome, but not insurmountable. I arrived at my stop for the night in the mid afternoon, had a great omelette/burrito at the Wet Spot, and was surprised that a couple I’d been chatting with had left the bartender seven dollars towards the cost of my meal. By the time I found out, they had left, and I had no way of thanking them. What a kind gesture.
Equally sweet was the bed and breakfast, the Rock Roof Inn, run by kindly elderly couple. Although they were both quite infirm, the Inn had all of the necessary amenities, and I had full run of their kitchen to serve myself a grand breakfast. It was also full of homey touches that were so appreciated after scores of sterile motel rooms. One example: a cuckoo clock!
Things are looking better already.
Distance 58 miles, 4,534 total. Time 9 hours with stops. Elevation gain 1,976 feet
©️ 2021 Scott Luria
The Ends of the Earth 
Keep up the good fight Scottso. I get that the heat heat heat is wearying. Drink drink drink. So glad you are over the Missouri and out of the mid west. You could have legitimately run for office in WI. And those not-so-tall highest points. Over!! You must have heard me shouting at your mid-west blogs on my phone to “get out of there, now!” Penn, Ohio, MI, IL, MN, and WI, WI, WI.. all over. Now for the rest of it. Excellent job. Denver? Soonish? New agenda? Keep any Coloradans you might know apprised. We are scheduled to move on the 21st of Aug. Final words :This imagery sometimes helps me: idyllic rides from Wellfleet to Ptown. No fixating on the 10 Fuckers. You are on the 11th. No sweat. S
LikeLike
Thanks for the shout out, Steve. I think you know, I had to spend so much time in Minnesota and Wisconsin because I couldn’t do the Illinois highpoint until July 3. Afterwards, I met a couple who violated the no trespassing signs and did it when it was closed. I just wasn’t brazen enough to do that, but it certainly did delay me.
I just did the North Dakota High Point today, I’m coming back down to South Dakota to tag the Black Hills, then through Nebraska to Denver. My rough estimate of date of arrival is August 17, but I could well be delayed. I will be staying with my friends Mary Jo and Floyd for a few days, so I might still be there when you arrive. Jane was initially planning on meeting me there, but right now reconsidering with the difficulty in getting reservations, the expense, and the whole Covid thing.
Scott
Get Outlook for iOS ________________________________
LikeLike