09.06.2012 Baker, MT

Day 16: Bowman, ND to Baker, MT

Saturday June 9, 2012, 47 miles (76 km) - Total so far: 969 miles (1,559 km)

Got moving along the usual time (around 08:00). Its a cool, windy, damp, uneventful day. Stopped in Marmarth for lunch and then pushed on to the border crossing with Montana (three states down). Although North Dakota flew by in two days, Montana is going to take me awhile to cross. Although I only covered 47 miles, it took me awhile to do it thanks to the wind. Again the sky has been threatening and as soon as I checked into the Sagebrush Inn a thunderstorm began. I found a dry place under an overhang where cars would pull up to unload to cook dinner and just relaxed. The internet is down and I don't get service so didn't get a chance to check on weather or the route for tomorrow. It is 83 miles between Baker and Miles City, MT so I am hoping the winds are not as bad because there really isn't anything in between.

08.06.2012 Bowman, ND

Day 15: Watagua, SD to Bowman, ND

Friday June 8, 2012, 97 miles (156 km) - Total so far: 922 miles (1,484 km)

Up at the usual time, packed up and headed downstairs for breakfast (again, I highly recommend this place if you are passing through). The weather is improved over last night but more storms are in the forecast. I continued along hwy 12 and stopped in Lemmon, SD for lunch. Lemmon's claim to fame is their petrified wood park. After visiting the park and finishing lunch, I rolled on and entered North Dakota (completed my second state). Stopped in Hettinger, ND for a break and to refill my water, but it was too early to stop for the day. I continued on looking for a good place to camp (Reeder had camping at the park, but it was right along the tracks and no restrooms) and the sky started looking threatening again. I rolled into Bowman, ND and found a hotel. It seems that this stretch is going to get pricey. Due to the oil boom and pipeline, most things are booked during the week (weekends are easier) and prices are higher than I had been seeing previously.

07.06.2012 Watauga, SD

Day 14: Selby, SD to Watauga, SD

Thursday June 7, 2012, 89 miles (143 km) - Total so far: 825 miles (1,328 km)

Started the day waiting for the rain to stop, it was only a brief shower so it wasn't long. Then stopped by the store to pick up some fruit and snacks for the day. Rode along with Ben until our paths split (he continued north on hwy 83 towards Bismark, ND and I headed west on hwy 12 towards Miles City, MT).

I continued back to the official Lewis and Clark route that we split from yesterday and passed through Mobridge, SD where I had my second breakfast. The riding today is not bad at all, but the wind is definitely no longer in my favor. It continued to be an uneventful day. I stopped for lunch in McLaughlin and pushed on to McIntosh. By this point the wind has picked up a bit and the sky is looking threatening. I remembered an Inn a little ways down the road listed in someone else's journal so I pushed on, I made it about half way and had to ride the last 5 to 6 miles in the thunderstorm. But I arrived to Watauga in tack, just a bit soggy.

Staying the night in the Dakota Countryside Inn. It is a wonderful place and the owners are super nice. They only have 10 rooms so I was lucky to get a space since I didn't call ahead. There is a group of 7 hunters also staying in the Inn. They let me join with them for dinner and even had homemade pie for dessert, then it was off to clean up and get to sleep.

06.06.2012 Selby, SD

Day 13: Pierre, SD to Selby, SD

Wednesday June 6, 2012, 100 miles (161 km) - Total so far: 736 miles (1,184 km)

Last night another cyclist arrived and also stayed with the host. He made breakfast and then we got on the road. I felt so much better and rested after a wonderful two days in Pierre. When cycling alone, spending a few days with others really makes a difference, and my back is feeling better after letting it rest. This was also my first experience with Warmshowers. It was a great experience and the host was amazing, made me feel right at home.

Ben and I set out from Pierre and continued along the route following 1804 north. In addition to having someone to ride with, we also have a tail wind for the day and a pretty good one at that. We make it all the way up to Bob's Steakhouse before stopping for lunch. We find a nice shady spot with a view behind the steak house, eat and enjoy a rest. After lunch we pushed on along 212 toward Gettysburg, SD but turned north on hwy 83 before reaching it. These sections heading east break the easy riding by providing for a strong cross wind. We cruise up 83 and eventually arrive in the town of Selby, SD. As we come into town we find a little ice cream shop and order milk shakes. We sat for awhile talking to some of the locals before finding our way to the park for the night. The park also has a public pool which let us use the showers. We had dinner and set up camp under the pavilion in the park.

My first 100 mile day!

04.06.2012 Pierre, SD

Day 11: Fort Thompson, SD to Pierre, SD

Monday June 4, 2012, 64 miles (103 km) - Total so far: 636 miles (1,024 km)

Since I stayed in the motel last night, there was little to pack, but instead of getting an early start, I stayed in bed a bit longer, and got another shower in the morning. Unfortunately, a soft bed when my back was use to hard surfaces ended with me sleeping wrong and now my back is a bit tight.

A beautiful morning for riding. Perfect temperature and no wind to speak of. With a sore back (which actually feels perfectly fine while I am in the saddle, only can't really stand) I opted to take the Lake Sharpe Option, riding north of the Missouri River instead of south. This option has a long gradual climb at the beginning of the day but then levels out to just some rolling hills along the river for the last 20+ miles. The climb was long and gradual so no problem at all. There was a good stop for breakfast at about 12 miles (Macs) so I stopped and purchased some Powerade and honey bun. By the time I reached the "flat" section of the day I looked at the clock and realized that if I kept up the current pace I would reach Pierre, SD before 1:00. I have never reached an end destination this early in the day. I did slow down a bit as the road follows the river it is a nice view even if its not the vistas from the official route and I still got into town just after 1:00.

I stopped and got my chores done: bike shop, lunch, bank, chiropractor and then headed over to my hosts house for the night. Had a great dinner and now relaxing with some ice on my back and updating my journals (which I have been absolutely horrible about updating (or even writing at the end of the day). I also realized I haven't taken many photos, this tends to be due to either weather (I don't take the camera out if its raining, or the right photo moments tend to arise as I am either climbing or descending a hill so I don't stop to get those either. I missed probably 5 really good photos for one of these two reasons.

Taking another day off here in Pierre, SD. Giving my back time to rest and hopefully be a bit more flexible on Wednesday. This also gives me time to finally update my journal and plan out the second leg of this trip (Pierre, SD to Glendive, MT).

03.06.2012 Fort Thompson, SD

Day 10: Snake Creek Recreation Area, SD to Fort Thompson, SD

Sunday June 3, 2012, 72 miles (116 km) - Total so far: 572 miles (921 km)

This was the toughest day of the trip yet. As is the routine, the day starts with a large climb, but after the initial climb it isn't too bad, at least for a little while. As is also tradition so far, the climb before Chamberlain, SD was more than I was really expecting.

I stopped in Chamberlain, SD for a long lunch break and restocked all my water plus purchased extra bottles of gatorade. After lunch the real struggle began. The first climb is as expected, you have to climb away from the river, it was exhausting but not too bad. However, there was no reward for this climb, as I started descending the other side signs warned of "road work" and "pavement ends". Not exactly the signs you want to see for a long descent. By the time I reached the bottom through mostly pavement but sporadic gravel I had no momentum built up for the second climb, which also had several sections of missing pavement (for added fun). This climb took everything out of me, I was already a bit tired from the ride to Chamberlain, SD and the first climb out, now add the heat and this climb just was my enemy for the day. After getting up and over this climb it wasn't too bad the rest of the way to Fort Thompson.

After the heat and the climbs, I am rewarding myself to some AC and TV. After getting cleaned up, I picked some food up at the convenience store next to the motel and watched a little TV while I relaxed and then shortly fell asleep rather early as usual.