The trip ended. September 25, 2011.
Though the blog struggles to be completed ... The ride ended with strength, smiles, and bittersweet emotions.
And now, March 2013, far too long since my last adventure, a new ride is in sight.
Greg and I will be on our bikes again.
Cheers to the great wide open.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Day 30/24 : August 7, 2011
Culbertson, MT to Williston, North Dakota
*
Late night.
Late start.
It was hot and noon.
The ride was nothing new.
Brown.
Hot.
I was in a similar funk as yesterday.
and I was trying so hard to not let it get to me.
*
We entered state #4
North Dakota
*
We were in Williston around 4PM.
I was unaware of time.
*
At the park we found, we ran into a local.
Who talked with us for nearly an hour.
Williston is a huge black gold town (oil).
A city ratio of 1 woman : 12 men.
He said the town had grown by 3,000 to 4,000
in a few years.
He told us about the culture.
About where he has been and why he is where he is now.
He has a large scar on his face.
He was a mountaineer.
While out climbing, a climber above warned of loose rock falling.
He looked up.
And woke in a hospital.
Rock had pulled the skin off his scalp.
*
He warned that us cyclist need to be careful on the road.
A lot of drunks.
and
A lot of inexperienced drivers in big rigs.
and
A lot of inexperienced drunk drivers in big rigs.
*
We heard that from multiple people we ran into, whether in the library or in the community center or grocery store.
*
The guy in there says,
"You two on bikes? You shouldn't be able to be on the roads.
You guys cause accidents.
You get young kids coming out here to make money. They're drinking and driving.
Then, you guys are riding on the roads and these kids don't know what to do.
They shouldn't allow you on the roads. You're causing accidents."
*
I had previously been feeling an urge to get away from the reminders that the plains
where taking me to.
I wasn't enjoying my bike trip. I was not wanting to get on my bike each morning. I wanted it to be done.
After hearing the unwelcoming greetings of the area, I didn't want to be on the road.
And having pedalled beside train tracks mile after mile,
and having never taken a train,
and there being an amtrak...
I wanted to take a ride on the tracks.
I asked Greg if he would be okay with taking the amtrak out of this area.
We booked 2 seats to Fargo.
Departure: Tomorrow evening.
Day 29/23 : August 6, 2011
Nashua, MT to Culbertson, MT
*
We took our time to get up this morning.
While making our breakfast, a young kid kept riding back and forth on his bike.
After about the 7th time, Greg said, "Hey man, whats up?"
And for the next hour in a half we
had the company of the 13 yr old boy.
*
We finally were on the road around noon.
*
I struggled today.
My mind was distracted with the emotions and feelings that continually lingered from the incident a couple days ago.
It effected me physically too.
I couldn't get into a groove of riding.
I was defensively riding.
Even with Greg there.
The scenery was the same.
Similar vehicles would drive by me.
It was all to familiar.
And I couldn't enjoy what I was doing. And who I was doing it with.
*
Greg sensed I was having an off day.
He stopped. I pedalled past.
He then pedals past handing me this sunflower.
*
We took a break in Wolf Point 35miles into our ride.
We ran into another rider heading West.
*
60 Miles to Culbertson.
With it being about 5PM
we would be finishing in the dark.
*
Everything was annoying me.
The wind.
The route.
The bumps.
My bike.
The food I was eating.
I stopped for a moment along the road, and when Greg got to me
he asked if I was doing okay.
I said, "I am annoyed by everything."
He said, "Do you want me to stay behind?"
I said, "NO. That is annoying me."
He took off ahead.
Damn.
*
*
There was a solo tree in this field.
And when I saw it, that was me.
I wanted a picture.
So I reach for my phone, and while doing so,
I wipe out.
Karma bitch.
I laugh at myself.
and Snap the picture.
*
I hopped back on and pedalled up to Greg.
I said.
"THere are 2 reasons why you aren't allowed to get ahead of me."
"Okay."
"1. Because I am scared when I can't see you.
and
2. Because if I wipe out you won't get to laugh at me."
*
It was a pretty sunset
and we continued on.
*
We made it into Culbertson a little after 9.
Stopped at the only open convenient store.
Popcorn.
Ice cream.
Beer.
Found ourselves a park and pavillion.
And enjoyed one anothers company.
Day 28/22 : August 5, 2011
Hinsdale, MT to Glasgow, MT to Nashua, MT
*
I was itchin' to get back on my bike.
Anxious too.
*
Today I was meeting Greg!
*
I had a headwind, so the ride took longer than I was hoping.
I was constantly checking my mirror and surroundings.
*
I made it to the airport.
Storms that were expected to roll in were delaying the flight.
It would be about an hour wait.
*
Finally, he was here.
and I couldn't be happier.
*
An hour was spend getting the bike and gear together.
*
Grocery store restock.
and We were on the road.
We pedalled into a storm.
and Ended the day 15 miles down the road to Nashua.
*
Luckily, there was a pavillion. And toilets. And showers.
*
Thank goodness for bananas and red wine.
For art and celebration.
*
Day 26 : August 3, 2011
Hinsdale, MT
*
Last night I was 'in shock' with emotion and disbelief, that I was denying that I couldn't get back on my bike and keep riding.
I didn't realize how serious and risky of a situation I was in.
I didn't sleep well.
Even with doors and windows locked and some sort of obstruction placed in front.
And this morning, the incidence angered me more and more.
It created raw emotion and feelings.
I didn't want to believe I was in this situation.
I wanted
Home.
Safety.
I was
Nervous.
I wanted
to complete this ride.
But,
Not on my own.
I couldn't enjoy it.
I need someone.
It wouldn't be what I was hoping to make of this trip.
Freedom.
Confidence.
Independence.
Discovery.
*
I joined the family for the day of the cabin I was staying in.
It gave me some distractions.
I helped with the kids 4-H projects.
Took a tour around their farm.
and
Shot arrows.
*
Greg offered to join me.
He wanted to see me be able to complete this journey.
And he was willing to change his plan and route for that to happen.
*
My family understood how bad I wanted to complete this trip.
*
34 miles away in Glasgow, there was a very small airport.
My dad purchased a plane ticket
and Greg was scheduled to arrive
August 5.
Thanks Greg.
Day 25/21 : August 2, 2011
Havre, MT to Hinsdale, MT
*
When I woke this morning, I felt I was waking on a cloud.
Surrounded by plush pillows and blankets.
Do I have to get up?
*
I went down to the lobby to use their computer to try and create a route
through Minnesota, Wisconsin and into U.P.
I was needing to figure out mileage so I could
let my aunt and uncle know when I would
be arriving
at their cabin in the Keweenaw.
It was difficult through a computer screen.
I asked front desk if they had maps of the Midwest.
No.
A couple over heard me.
They had an extra map they could give me.
They also warned me that flooding has made the WIlliston/Minot area difficult to find places to stay.
And suggested taking a train to
get through that section.
I decided to ride on and deal with it when I went through that section.
*
Same heat. Same environment. Same scenery.
Run down buildings and homes.
Bowdin National Wildlife Refugee.
Lake Bowdin.
*
The long stretches through the open plains
zoned me out and I would ride mile after mile
before breaking.
Today, I don't know how I did it, but it was 5 hours later, 90 miles to the day
and I was in Malta.
I filled up on water in a gas station and ran into a very friendly and excited
couple. They really made me smile and feel good.
Thanks.
I found a local park where I took a couple hour break from the heat
and
hit the road again around 6PM.
Hinsdale was 42 miles away.
*
20 miles in and about 8 miles from Saco
my trip went sour.
And I ran into an unfortunate happening.
I wanted to get away from that area
and hope the individual wouldn't catch on that I had my phone to my ear,
so I was riding as fast as I could while
calling 911.
I tried reaching my family too, but sketchy service made it hard to connect the call since I wasn't staying in one place.
Finally, 9 miles later, right outside of Saco, a deputy met me.
I filed a report and was then driven 13 miles to the next town, Hinsdale.
Being a small town there were no motels to put me up in.
We went into the convenient store to ask
if there was a park I could camp in.
Luckily, there was a lady in there who said the Lutheran church is always open, and they allow people to stay in the basement.
The deputy brought me over to the church.
The parking lot was full. With 5 vehicles.
He walked with me to the basement where we heard voices.
Everyone stopped when they saw an officer round the corner.
He explained that I needed a place to stay and heard the basement was available.
They said of course.
And it was shortly followed with a couple offering a cabin they rent out to hunters and others..it is a block from the church.
I could stay there.
I took the offer.
*
My phone had died when I was reaching my family on my bike,
and all they knew was I was in some trouble and the police were helping me.
I was finally able to reach them, and full of emotions,
let them know I was okay.
The rest of the night was trying to figure out what I was going to do.
I wanted to finish.
But I couldn't do it by myself.
I was scared.
I didn't want to be outside alone.
I either needed to go home
or find someone to finish the ride with me.
I spoke with Greg.
He was in Lander, Wyoming.
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