2018, Day 8: Wait a Minot...

That's it. This blog is black magic. The minute I apologize to North Dakota for the libel, the winds change (literally and figuratively). Remind me to never gripe about a state again while Dad is in it. The risks are too high.

Meanwhile, Dad ate his Wheaties this morning. Not only did he get back on the horse, but he averaged just over 10 MPH for 6 1/2 hours. I'd say that's not a bad comeback day.

Everybody cross your fingers for good weather next week.

From Dad:

"Since yesterday was a forced rest day, and tomorrow, Sunday, is a no-ride day, I decided, my back willing, to push it as far as I could. Turns out, my back was willing. The only time it gave me any twinges was mounting the bike and starting up. We rode yesterday’s segment in very good time, starting west of Ross to Berthold, in less than five hours. So decided to see if we could make it to Minot, another 27 miles. Now, the mileposts don’t add up, because somewhere around Berthold, the mile markers jumped from 116 to 124 in only 5 miles. Somehow, North Dakota got 3.3 miles worth of tax dollars from the US Government for non-existent road. Anyway, the segment from Berthold to Minot was relatively flat, with one good downhill into the canyon. At 65 miles I was at the bottom of the hill that goes up into Minot, so that was my last effort. Ended up just north of our hotel, so easy off to get there, and easy on for Monday morning with the hill behind me. I rode 67.1 miles in 6:31 today. It’s still 210 miles to Grand Forks, so whether I make my goal or not is really going to be dependent on winds. Today was excellent for riding—just a gentle breeze, if any. Thin clouds and warm temperatures. Wish I could have that next week, but the forecast is for lots of wind."

Some hay bale gingerbread men

This was the last hill before Minot

I call this one... subliminal messaging.