T1 Day 32 (Liz)

As I was writing this (2 days late) Keelin said she was going to “get in her bicycle” and then she got in her tent…


So on day 32 we woke up in a beautiful city park in Kindred, ND, packed up, and stopped by the market in town to grab groceries. While we were loading the food into our bikes, a man in a truck pulled over to tell us how excited he is to see cyclists. He told us he often drives around town looking for bikers since he himself always wanted to bike cross country. 3 years ago treated some cyclists to lunch and they mentioned him in their blog which he followed closely. It clearly made his day. Now he’s in our blog too!


We biked through backroads and small highways through farmland. We were so mesmerized by the crop planes that we didn’t even realize we had left North Dakota until we were a few miles from Barnesville, Minnesota! 


We stopped for lunch (pbjs) and some ice cream at dairy queen. Turns out 3 other cyclists had the same idea! We met Joe and his dad Brian, and Tony who was tagging along. It is so exciting to see other cyclists, turns out were not all alone out here (and we’re really not that slow)! They were impressed by how light our set ups were - everyone has been except for the monks who said we had a lot of stuff. A few miles later they caught up to us and we rode together which made the miles fly by. 


Then a motorcycle slowed down next to us and the driver said “Hey! I’m Mike! I think you guys are staying with me tonight.” We exchanged quick hellos, he told us we were close to the house, and he offered to pick us up pizza! Eventually we made it to Mike and Lexi’s beautiful home where they welcomed us with open arms. Mike, a fellow cyclist, had used warm showers and wanted to give back. They set up air mattresses for us, ordered lots of veggie pizza, and made sure we were comfy and warm. Lexi even gave Keelin a book (The Princess Bride) to take on the road. I made it my mission to win over the love of their chihuahua doxin dog, Aubrey. After lots of chatting, cuddling with the pets, and route planning I was ready for bed!


Given that we left North Dakota today, here’s a review:


Favorite lodging:

Kayla: Assumption Abbey with the monks

Keelin: Medora Campground

Liz: Honey Hub Gackle - free honey stinger products!


Favorite meal:

Kayla: rest day homemade veggie pasta w/ a surprise ice cream delivery

Keelin: dehydrated backpacker pantry fettuccine alfredo

Liz: veggie bagel sandwich 


Favorite snack:

Kayla: caffeinated energy chews/ gu

Keelin: gas station hot cocoa

Liz: caramel roll from Mabels bakery


Favorite gear:

Kayla: desitin diaper rash cream

Keelin: new bike shorts!

Liz: headphones


Least favorite gear:

Kayla: saddle - you already know why

Keelin: helmet - she’s getting forehead tan lines that kind of look like shes growing horns

Liz: tire tubes 

(Kayla and Keelin’s least favorite part of Liz’s gear: very dim lights) 


Favorite town:

Kayla: Medora

Keelin: Medora

Liz: Mandan


Weather

Kayla 7.5

Keelin 7.5

Liz 7.5


Scenery

Kayla 6

Keelin 7

Liz 6


Bikability

Kayla 8.5

Keelin 8.5

Liz 8.5


Lodging

Kayla 8.5

Keelin 9

Liz 9


Advice

Kayla: bike with friends you can draft behind

Keelin: call ahead for the Abbey

Liz: stop in Mandan for the 4th parade and fireworks

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