2018, Days 6 & 7: I Demand a Do-Over

North Dakota has bridged the gap from rude to spiteful, and Dad has been swept into the wake of its determination to be remembered. I apologize for everything I said before about North Dakota being unremarkable. Most states have left off the last tendrils of winter by the time mid-May swings around, but apparently Dad is close enough to Canada to draw it out a little longer. And to think, they left earlier in the year this time to avoid the heat.

It's been a rough go the past couple of days. Whether or not next week works out to plan has yet to be seen, but hopefully some medical attention, Ibuprofen, ice, and lacrosse ball massages will get Dad back in commission. On the bright side, it sounds like the hotel they're staying in this time is a little more attentive than the one in Williston, which is a relief, because it is suddenly much more difficult to carry suitcases.

"5/10/18 This was not a red-letter day for me. Loading the ice chest into the car this morning, I twisted my back and halfway put myself out of commission. I tried to ride anyway. But the temperature was 37 degrees, and the headwind (again) must have been around 20 mph. I made it 11 miles, and by then I think a touch of hypothermia had set in. It took the rest of the day and half the night to warm up. The bike shop had the bike for about 4 hours. Meanwhile, I found a chiropractor, but I had already tightened up so much, she couldn’t do much for me. Totally in pain—and not from riding.

"5/11/18 Forced rest day. Still cold, still stiff. Spent time icing and rolling a lacrosse ball between my back and the wall. Went back to the doctor. She was able to get things to move some today. She told me to ride tomorrow, rest Sunday, and I should be okay to go on Monday. The motel we are staying in is really nice, and the staff is extremely helpful. What you would expect—but after the experience at the Williston hotel, it seems really special."

Good luck, Dad! We're rooting for you!