After breakfast, we did the usual routine of packing the stuff and then packing the car. I put the cart together. Remy and I mounted up. And Tayler snapped a couple of photos before we set off. The temperature was about 40 degrees at the outset, so I was pretty bundled up.
Something upset my system this morning -- might have been coffee, or maybe it's a virus. I've been feeling a little dragged out for a couple of days, but trying not to let it take hold. Anyway, after breakfast I spent a little time in the bathroom, trying to get a handle on what was going on. I decided to embark anyway. The first part of the trip, Glen Ullin to Hebron, about 12.7 miles, was very difficult. I couple of times I thought I might throw up. My hands were falling asleep quickly, and my butt was bothering me. The wind was quite strong across the prairie.
I don't know if any of you has the experience of arguing with yourself about, say, whether to call in sick. That's a little bit what was going on with me at this point. "Am I sick? How sick am I? Can I ride? How far am I going to be able to get?" I stopped at the Dark Side of the Brew (Pink Floyd logo imitation; nice place) The proprietor, Aaron Anderson, got me a green tea and engaged with me in conversation for quite a while. The voice said, "Okay, you've had a break. Are you ready to go?" I got up. As soon as I stood up, I went to the bathroom again. I came back to my seat and had another cup of tea. I was there for about 2 1/2 hours, conversing with myself (not out loud) and with several people who came in.
One gentleman, I think he might have been Aaron's father, knew a lot about the the area as far as historical sites and things of geographical interest. Another man who came in asked if I was the one riding with the dog in the cart. Everyone extolled the virtues of bicycling around that area.
I read more of my current Harry Dresden story, Proven Guilty. I texted Tayler. She had found a lovely hike in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. I argued with myself about having her come all the way back to Hebron. I was feeling better, so we went on. The ride to Richardton was much more pleasant, physically and wind-wise, than the first part of today's ride.
Richardton rises out of the empty, sweeping prairie, like a metallic bump on a wild bird. Entering from the east, the first sight is of massive grain elevators and train cars. Along the way, I have seen many tankers (truck and train) carrying something called anhydrous ammonia. Apparently, it is used as a fertilizer. Apparently, it can be quite dangerous. There were many of these tank cars in and around Richardton. Aaron Andersen had recommended a grocery store in Richardton with a deli as a place to stop, eat, drink, and rest. I decided that was to be the spot where Tayler would pick me up.
My phone was running out of power, so I let her know where we were, got a chicken thigh and some mashed potatoes from the deli, which came with my choice of prepared veggies (I got broccoli, cucumber, some tomatoes that turned out to be yucky, and some carrots). I also bought (I hardly ever do this) a bottle of water. Remy and I sat comfortably. I ate and read some more of my book.
When Tayler turned up, we dismantled the cart and loaded up. As I was lifting my bike to the bike rack, the rear tire fell off. This was quite a shock, as I'd ridden about 29 miles on it. I thought about taking it to a shop to see what was going on, but I just flipped the bike over and put the tire back on. I guess there's a good bike shop in a community up ahead, so perhaps I'll stop in for a quick look-over.
We're at a Microtel Inn this evening. I've learned a couple of important things about motel reservations: look up the cheap rate on line, but don't reserve through an on-line booking site. If you change your mind, you can't cancel. Call the hotel, and when they quote a price, if it's higher than what you found on line say, "Oh, I found a room for less than that (quote the price) on line." Most of the time, the hotel would rather give you the cheaper rate and keep the fee that would have been paid to the booking site.
I'm beat. My tummy still isn't quite right, but I'm hoping by morning all will be well. It's hard to bike when that end of things isn't working at its best.
Tayler was so enthusiastic about the view she saw today on her hike in the park that I may take a side trip to see it myself. Now that I'm out here in the prairie and approaching the Badlands, I feel more like just riding and seeing the sights, not so bent on making time or mileage. This is a nice feeling. And since we've covered a lot of ground this past week, I think we can now afford to take more time crossing beautiful Montana, maybe staying an extra night here and there when the parks and sights warrant it. Tomorrow's scheduled stop is Wibaux, MT.
Oh, I may have mentioned this before, but now it's imperative to follow through. I realized that I can get a map from Dickinson to Great Falls. I left a message at Adventure Cycling this evening, because once again I didn't get around to calling there till they were closed. I hope they will have a PDF of the route map that I can purchase and download. If not, I'll have to find a place a few days out for them to mail it to me. Either way, I can find my way a few stops further without it.
Hope you're all doing well!
Health and healing to you, Margi, hope you're feeling better!
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