Note: Dan is providing a brief update for Liz
Monday August 7. After a nice stay in Fargo where Elizabeth got rested, bike repairs, laundry, etc. it was time to start peddling again. Elizabeth had breakfast duty so she was up and at it early — coffee time is 630am. The route for Monday was 55 miles and an unbelievably flat 493 feet of climb. Add to that almost no wind and it made for a relatively easy day. The scenery was pretty routine except for the large hay bails which became a great photo setting. West of Fargo there were a lot of sun flower farms and processing centers. There was not much else to see on the route.
With a relatively easy ride Elizabeth finished early arriving at the Patrick Pierce Park on the banks of the Maple river in the town of Enderlin, ND. After chatting with the president of parks in Enderlin, Elizabeth made the short ride into town to get a few essentials. She also had time to order some new bike shorts which she had delivered to one of the future stopovers.
Tuesday’s ride was harder than Elizabeth had first expected. The route from Enderlin to Gackle was 74 miles and 2052 feet of climb — certainly that was going to be challenge enough. However, she had never ridden 74 miles without a turn – not even a bend in the road! Worse, the wind kicked up out of the west and got up to 14mph — a direct headwind.
Cycling is all about the scenery — this is one thing that made Tuesday such a mentally challenging day! Food was also a challenge. It’s very hard to eat enough calories to keep up with all the calories that you are burning on a day like this. There was one gas station where they stopped which conveniently had ice cream – what a great way to add some extra calories!
Tuesday’s overnight was the yard of a house owned by the founder of Honey Stinger company. Honey Stinger makes sports recovery foods. The group camped in the yard and was able to use the laundry and bathroom facilities in the house. And there were free Honey Stinger foods for the group to pack for the next day.
Wednesday August 9 the route was from Gackle to Hazelton, ND — about 64 miles and 1960 feet of climb. About 33 miles into the ride Elizabeth encountered dinosaurs…a collection of old farm threshers that stretched across the ridge as a monument to farming.
Shortly after stopping for the dinosaurs, Elizabeth and a few of the other cyclists ventured a mile or so off the route to Napoleon, ND to find Mabel’s Bakery and Coffee shop. She was delighted to find that they had Gluten Free items. The group took a well deserved break to enjoy their snack.
After leaving Napoleon Elizabeth continued on to the city park in Hazelton – a nice park that featured showers!
Elizabeth….You are looking slimmer despite stopping for ice cream(s) along the way! Maggie
You are taking care of yourself. You are listening to your body. Continue to trust yourself.
Onward and Upward!