Life On A B-I7

Route

• Glendive to Wibaux

Metrics

• Miles: 28
• Average Speed: 8.29 mph
• Ride Time: 3 hours 17 minutes
• Climbing: 769 vertical feet

Notes

• The Climbing number was up from yesterday over a shorter distance. That can be confusing. The distinction comes down to grade over distance. I don’t have a way to measure that.
• I’m letting my right leg do too much of the work. I’m gonna have to keep an eye on that.
• I did my first stretch of Interstate today, I-94. The 12’ shoulder was down-right relaxing.

First things first. I broke my cardinal rule. I’m staying at the Roosevelt “Hotel.” I know, I said never do that, which only proves, never say never. This is the only place in town. It’s a two story affair but I can’t hold that against it, some motels are two story so I can’t complain about that. The price is about $20 higher than it should be. Possibly because of the name, but probably because there’s no competition.

Now, to complicate my Itinerary somewhat, I was planning to be in Medora tomorrow, the 30th. It seems that President Trump will be there on the 1st. The Secret Service is already there and accommodations have likely been booked well in advance. I’m not sure if I’ll even be able to get through town!

This is happening because the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora opens July 4th. The President has other plans for the 4th. Those plans do not include opening a new Presidential Library along with all four living former Presidents. As a result of both happenings, the towns of Beach, Medora, Dickinson, and perhaps beyond are all likely booked solid. It’s going to be interesting!

I was chasing a storm front all day. As I got closer to the front the headwinds picked up. At times I was pedaling against a 10-15 mph headwind. This also influences metrics. I got lucky and the storm bypassed me, or I bypassed it, one or the other.

What is the most important piece of gear you can carry on a bike packing trip? I’ve been asking myself that since I started planning this adventure. I can finally answer that question. A good purpose-built tent.

You would think since this is my third cross-country bike tour, I would have solved that problem. I thought I would be clever this time and go ultra-light weight, so I bought a one person single pole set-up. It’s just not up to snuff. To add pain to having made this purchase, even though this tent is considered very good, there are compromises. One of them is the fact that the tent requires staking at six points or it will not stand up. (Staking is another problem.) Even when staked properly, it is really not possible to make this tent waterproof. When I get home you will find it at Gear Fix in Bend.

I’m about 16 days from Minneapolis. When I get there I am going to buy the top of the line bike packing tent from REI. The Big Agnes Copper. Spur. The bad news is, I’m buying another tent. The good news is I now have a reason to do another tour next summer!

I could go on and on about gear, but I won’t bore you. I learn more and more each time I do this. In fact, I learn something new almost every day.

Speaking of next summer. I’m not thinking cross-country. Three cross-country tours will be enough. (Unless Clark decides to come with me…) I’m thinking The Selkirk Loop. Perhaps I won’t do that one alone… You know who you are!

There are very few things I would trade in this life for the pleasure of having this experience. A loving companion, a cat, good friends, those would qualify as better, but that is about the extent of what can be considered better, at least for me.

I can see North Dakota from here. It’s only a few miles away.

My friend that follows me everywhere.

I can’t resist the pastoral views.

Itinerary / Maps