Note: Dan is providing a brief update for Liz
It’s Friday, August 4 and there are only 2 more riding days until a rest day. It will be 9 days between rest days this time and 585 miles – an average of 65 miles per day. Thankfully most of the days have not had a lot of climbing. Not far out of Lake Itaska Elizabeth spots a roadside stand selling corn — obviously she loads up to make sure corn is on the menu for the night.
Elizabeth said she did not think any place could be flatter than Illinois — until she got to this stretch of road in Minnesota! A lot of this ride went through the White Earth Indian Reservation.
Reaching Calloway – the stopping point for the day — Elizabeth discovers a store called Native Harvest. This is a native american owned and operated store full of local handmade items.
At dinner Elizabeth gets her corn on the cob. Note the tents in the background next to the corn field. Several of the stopover sites were “primitive” — no electricity for sure and a few had no running water.
Saturday was a welcome day as the group cycled towards Fargo for a rest day. After leaving Callaway there were only 2 turns over a 40 mile span as they headed due west. After an uneventful ride Elizabeth reached Fargo.
The forecast for Fargo was not great as thunderstorms were expected on Saturday afternoon and evening. Most of the group opted to stay in a hotel to make the most of their day off and avoid getting waterlogged by a big storm. Elizabeth stopped by the hotel then hustled over to the Great Northern Bicycle Company – a really helpful shop located in a former train depot in down town Fargo. Elizabeth got some things looked after on her bike and enjoyed a free cup of espresso — provided every afternoon at 3pm at GNBC. She also picked up a shipment that the store kindly agreed to receive and hold for her.
Turns out, Elizabeth has a cousin in Fargo. Michael picked Elizabeth up for dinner. As forecast, storms hit the town shortly after dinner. Michael said he had never seen it rain so hard in Fargo. You can see the flooding below — some folks decided to wade in the flooded area. I’m sure the group that gave up the tent for the hotel was very happy with their choice!
Laundry, bike cleaning, and other maintenance items had to be accomplished on her partial day off — Elizabeth had cooking duty starting at 4pm on Sunday. Below Elizabeth and Michael enjoy an ice cream.
Elizabeth, you are looking so wonderfully strong and happy. I’m thinking this is even better than you dreamed about. We love all the comments and pictures of friendly folks along the way. So glad your knee is holding on, too. Lots of love and many thanks for taking us along on your adventure…….virtually!
Rene & Len
Your photos of all the new friends you’ve made along the way are one of my favorite things about your posts, Liz. When I look at you and your cousin Michael all I see is my Dad, Michael’s and your Grandpa George, and my brother, Michael’s Dad. What a wonderful adventure.
You are such a great adventurist! Say hi to the team and keep enjoying yourself.
I really love reading about your ride. You got this…. Pat and I are cheering you on 👏🏼👏🏼🫶🚴♂️🚴♂️
I am really enjoying the photos and hearing about the people you are meeting. With all the riding, it amazes me that you would have the energy to prepare food! Such admiration coming your way from me.