Rest Day Here Wé Come

Bowdle SD to Aberdeen SD

62 Miles

A relaxing ride to Aberdeen passing many hay bales, racing trains, and stop to play in a play ground. 

Our Last Night in South Dakota

Aberdeen SD to Webster SD

48 Miles

Today was a flatter and faster ride and the first day I did not feel any discomfort or need Tylenol.  It truly is remarkable that I recovered for this ride and am starting to feel like my old self. 

The ride itself was fairly drab with clouds looming overhead but we made it here without any rain. Our lunch stop was in a small town but at least they had a Waldorf Astoria (ha)  hotel. 

Once we showered and prepared for tomorrow Nancy and Suzanne and I went to the local farmers market to get some goodies for dinner. This small market gave new meaning to the word small although we did find a jar of great homemade salsa. 

There was also a state championship baseball game that some of our group watched. 

Like a Roller Coaster

Mobridge SD to Bowdle SD

45 Miles

Today's ride was characterized by a steady stream of rolling hills. We started the day with a farm fresh breakfast at a local cafe (potatoes and veggies for me) and enjoyed a leisurely ride with a break to play on the hay bales 

and then a stop at a Veterans Memorial in Selby on our way to the Bird Nest Inn. 

It's like a trip back in time but ironically we met a guy here who lived in Milwaukee for a while. Our hotel and the surrounding "scenery."

Tomorrow's ride is supposedly 60 miles of downhill (promises, promises) to Aberdeen where we will spend our rest day on Monday. 

A View From My Room

Lemmon SD to Mobridge SD

60 Mile Bike

40 Mile Providing Sag

A long day but for me 60 miles as I drove the SAG for the first forty. Once we were within 20 miles of Mobridge the clouds and the vistas were breathtaking as we descended to the Missouri River. 

The rooms werent too exciting other than the gun cleaning cloths 

but the views were amazing and in the evening after dinner we walked  along the waterfront path as the sun set. 

Petrified Forest

Bowman ND to Lemmon South Dakota

65 Miles

The highlight of reaching Lemmon South Dakota (our sixth state since leaving the Pacific Coast) was visiting the historic petrified forest. 

Along the way we saw beautiful clouds and cows at the "spa."

A New State

Baker MT to Bowman ND

48 Miles

Today we entered North Dakota.

Along the way we rode through rolling terrain (abbreviation for hills), interesting rock formations, and saw many oil wells during our last few miles in Montana. 

The Little Missouri River

Before going to our motel we stopped at the tourist information center to find out what's not to be missed in North Dakota. 

I Saw Zebra

Miles City MT to Baker MT
80 Miles

Today was a hot and hilly 80 mile ride with one of the highlights being that we saw several zebra. Not sure how they came to reside in Montana but there they were. Unfortunately we were biking uphill when we saw them and it took a few minutes to register that we really were seeing zebra. We didn't feel like going back down (and then up again) for photographs so the zebra will just be a surprising memory.

Notice my new sun protection neck apparel and Nevin's tuxedo jersey

At mile 68 we had some fun making a video of the directions and turns to our hotel featuring Pete, Suzanne, and I.  The others escaped before the filming to make sure they were not captured doing the silly dance.

We arrived at our last hotel in Montana where we are staying in the cutest cabins. Luckily they are all equipped with full kitchens so Suzanne, Nancy, and I made an amazing meal. It was such a thrill to eat a home cooked delicious meal and we even have leftovers for breakfast. 

The cabins reminded me of the bungalows where Rob and his family used to stay every summer in Rockaway where we met almost 50 years ago.  They were relatively new, quite compact and cozy, and had great kitchens.  

We were interviewed by a local  newspaper for a story about our adventure and the reporter will meet us before we ride tomorrow for a group photo. At night we took a walk around the lake and tomorrow we enter North Dakota for one night. 

Rest Day in Miles City

Slept in till 7 am. Then the usual routine of cleaning bikes, organizing energy foods, reorganizing duffel bags, and catching up on computer "paperwork" and phone calls.

And of course lunch.  Managing to find meals that I can modify to make vegan.  This was originally pasta with sausage and chicken.  Everyone has been great about making changes Ive asked for.

The First Century/Metric Century Ride

IRound-Up MT to Forsyth MT

62 Miles Biking

40 Sagging

102 Miles for those who weren't on the SAG schedule and a metric century for me

A rest stop at Ricks little shop where he prepared ice tea and lemonade for us and here is his farm out back

Riding along this is pretty much the scenery for 100 miles

Our deluxe "rig" from Texas with our support crew at a mid ride rest stop. 

Car girl with her SAG vehicle 

Hay bales being stored for the winter