June 26, 2018
Good Gravel, Bad Tarmac, Ugly Tornados on the Road from Beulah to Hebron, North Dakota
| Heart | 7 | Comment | 0 | Link |
We slept well at Riverside Park and got up at 5:00 am (!) to get an early start. There were 11 mph FHWs so the 37 miles would likely take longer than usual. The ACA route heads south on highway 49 but we soon found out that the road leaves a lot to be desired. It sucked the life out of me, especially the huge hills, and I almost vomited last night's dinner (weiners). The shoulder is narrow and the rumble strip is right the frick in the middle. The drivers were also pretty aggressive, giving us a little room. Traffic wasn't terribly heavy but the speed and proximity, combined with the FHW made Ron a grumpy boy.
About 10 miles in, which took us 1 hour and 45 minutes, Jen suggested a gravel road which would get us off of 49 and not add any miles. So that's what we did, and I was immediately glad. Jen is a smarty. There were no cars, the gravel was small and packed, making for pretty fast riding with great solitude and scenery.
| Heart | 6 | Comment | 0 | Link |
| Heart | 7 | Comment | 2 | Link |
6 years ago
The road surface got a little rougher when we turned on county road 37, with larger, looser gravel and pretty steep rollers. Our direction turned more westwards, resulting in a shift from straight headwinds to crosswinds, which was helpful. We were surrounded by rolling farmland and natural grasslands, and a lot of solitude.
We rolled into Hebron at 1:15 and claimed the large picnic shelter as our own. The town allows free camping but we gave a donation of $10 to the kid behind the city pool counter.
I was beat. Today's 37 miles felt more like 65 with the hills and FHW*. So we ate lunch and I took a nap on one of the picnic tables. It was 70 and there was a nice breeze. Jen napped too. Napping is one of the things we can do now, guilt free!
*(Darn) Head Winds.
We walked down to the Jack and Jill grocery for a couple things and talked to the owner for ahwile. He is a retired high school principal and he runs this store with his wife.
Dinner tonight was mashed potatoes, a small can of pork and beans, a can of green beans and a can of chicken breast. No pictures Steve and Sam because it looked dreadful, but it was delicious.
| Heart | 4 | Comment | 0 | Link |
The skies started looking threatening, dark clouds, lightning in the distance. The town pool was filled with kids but they closed as soon as the lightning started.
Winds picked up, gusting to 60 mph according to the weather people, and we scrambled to get our stuff in the tent. It started hailing sideways, and then sheets of rain swept in. Even under the huge picnic shelter, we were getting soaked. When we finally hunkered in the tent, we heard a voice say, "Hey folks, there's a tornado warning, so you should go into the church." He identified himself as the pastor and helped us carry a few things over. He said we should stay all night and he'd lock up in the morning. Another generous person helping out strangers. We settled into the Sunday School area and went to bed at about 11.
| Heart | 6 | Comment | 4 | Link |
6 years ago
6 years ago
Today's ride: 37 miles (60 km)
Total: 921 miles (1,482 km)
| Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 9 |
| Comment on this entry | Comment | 5 |
6 years ago
Tell Bob thanka for reading and I hope my occasional salty language isn't offensive. I can't help it. Jen keeps it in check.
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