West. Day 15.

June 23, 2016

Fargo to Little Yellowstone Park, North Dakota

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The parking lot between a shady park and Enderlin's library was half taken up with a circus-sized tent and rows of tables and chairs. Seems I just missed a free barbeque lunch for the town's 15th-anniversary celebration.

Ah, well, I shrugged and tore into a "ready-to-eat-meal" of turkey pepperoni, cheese, multi-grain crackers, and hummus, with juicy peaches a tasty dessert. All booty from a surprise organic food store in the town of fewer than 900 residents. The Organic Cupboard was neatly organized in the attached garage of a bungalow housing a massage and chiropractic business.

I loaded up. The Adventure Cycling Association (ACA) map indicated no services in the 78 miles between Enderlin and Gackle. With almost 60 miles in, I planned to camp in Little Yellowstone Park, less than a dozen miles west.

Healthy lunch in Enderlin.

Little Yellowstone Park, nestled next to the Sheyenne River, was an oasis of trees in the endless prairie. No cell service meant a walk back up the hill to send Mom a text.

My evening shadow text to Mom: "All is well, but no Facetime tonight."

From my B'76 journal:

6/9/76

Yesterday’s ride was great. We did about 45 miles to New Meadows and the uphills were very gradual. We stopped for a while in Council – they had two trains set up in the park.

The Englishmen passed us today and we won’t be seeing them again. They really travel. Averaging 90-120 miles per day. They have to be in Pueblo by the 27th of June because they have to be back in England to race. I could sit and listen to them forever.

We stayed in Packer John’s Park – it rained while we cooked dinner but it didn’t last. I’m in a group with Big Dave and Brad and we had to cook yesterday – oh well.

Mike ordered me a pair of riding shorts to arrive in Missoula Saturday.

Later – the ride today had been extremely enjoyable – basically downhill but with a headwind. We followed the Salmon River all day – fantastic country – I love it – it’s the best so far – I wish I could have pioneered it. The town of Riggins really appealed to me for some reason.

Met some people from Clarkston, MI – the father and son are riding their bikes and the mother drives along with a camper. Neat way to go.

Tomodachis in Idaho. From left to right: Len, Loree, Tom, Brad, and Mike.

Some interesting anomalies in 1976. I had the most touring experience in our group and rode with leather cycling shoes (two leather strips nailed to the stiff soles provided a grip on the edge of my pedals), but I wore no helmet and pedaled in cut-off jeans. Our assistant leader Mike, a seasoned bike mechanic with some racing miles under him, sported a new-fangled “Skid Lid” helmet and wool cycling shorts with a leather chamois.

“You just have to have to try them,” he said.

I had no idea the comfort I missed. Then again, it took me decades to discover the ultimate comfort of a recumbent touring bicycle. No padded shorts needed.