23 Jun 03 80.1 miles 6:34 riding time from Mandan, SD to Hazen, SD
A pleasant bike path takes one out of Bizmark and Mandan and up the Missouri a few miles before merging onto the highway. I was feeling strong this morning, so I dropped David and Chris. David is usually fast in the mornings. We regrouped at Washburn where Chris wanted to see another L-C Interpretive Center, and we all wanted to see the replica of Fort Mandan (where Lewis & Clark spent the winter before heading up to the Oregon Territory). David decided on a motel there though we hand only about 40 miles in. Chris and I rode on to the planned stop in Hazen.
The tour book had the info wrong on the RV park; its just that and doesnt take tenters, but the manager admires cyclists and took us in.
Most annoyingly, we were stopped by a young deputy today. Im not sure why. He first questioned whether we had mirrors. It was hard not to be sarcastic, since he couldnt look at our eyes without seeing the mirrors. Then he told us to ride to the side of the road, which, of course we were. When Im home Ill probably spend the time to get hold of the sheriff and the SD State Bicycle Coordinator to make my complaints since the stop seemed to have no purpose except to communicate the young mans personal prejudice against cycling.
24 Jun 03 61.9 miles 5:38 riding time from Hazen, SD to Killdeer, SD
Just outside of Dodge, a woman stopped us, gave us a brochure on the S. Side of the Missouri attractions, invited us to stay in her tipi for free outside her motel. We wanted to cycle on to Killdeer, so we stopped, saw the tipi, had a good lunch and rode on to Killdeer. Rain returned as we left Dodge. We got back to the main highway just in time to watch David load his bike onto a passing pickup.
Light, cold rain hit us the rest of the way into Killdeer. We were wet, and it was still raining, so we got a motel. Rain stopped by 6:00 p.m. though.
25 Jun 03 58.8 miles 6:02 riding time from Killdeer, SD to Watford City, SD
Roads were hilly coming out of Killdeer west. We had a few sprinkles hit us, and David was in another pickup- riding all the way to Williston SD this time. No real rain fell, and we didnt even get out jackets out. We went into Grassy Butte for a brief lunch. Some guy bought this business a few months ago and has about $100 of inventory which left us with an inadequate lunch. However, hes very friendly and would stage mountain bikes riding the Madahae Trail- about 100 miles between N. Teddy Roosevelt Federal Park and the South Unit.
Lots of talk around here about this trail. We stopped at the North Unit but with strong winds from the Northwest, we didnt want to ride the 28 miles in and straight back out. We stayed in the White Buffalo RV Park. They let us stay in the office building and use their washing machine which we appreciated.
26 Jun 03 Watford City to Williston, SD
I havent done my daily log yet, so mileage and time arent recorded! Chris & I enjoyed the ride though these NW winds are tough! We keep crossing and recrossing the time-zone line here in ND and are losing sight of what time it really is! Lots of North Dakotans ignore the time zone theyre in and use the one they want! I suppose you could accuse me of doing that, but Ive not found anyone else who will use Mountain Time with me! Weve set up camp at the city park. The library is on the edge of the park! We found David, who will rejoin us tomorrow.
Happy Cycling for Fun, Fitness, and Transportation!
Steve
