We're Now in Minnesota

Our progress eastward has now taken us into Minnesota. We crossed the state border from South Dakota 1 mile into our ride on Wednesday, then cycled for 76 miles in Minnesota. We reached our destination town, Willmar MN (population 18,000), at 1 pm, and were fortunate to find an excellent Greek/Middle Eastern restaurant for lunch and dinner.

Entering Minnesota on Wednesday morning

A pleasant change from lunches sitting in drainage ditches

Time to Split Up

After five wonderful days with Carol's father Martin Beer, sister Janet Garrett, and brother-in-law John Garrett, they left us on Tuesday afternoon. Janet and John were fortunate to have 5 days of good biking terrain and excellent weather (minimal rain, great winds).

Janet, John, and Martin

A proud father with two of his daughters

The high-class lodging that Janet, John, and Martin missed out on by departing

A Long and Fast Ride

On Sunday, we had our fastest cycling day on one of the longest rides of our trip so far. It was only partly due to the "legs of steel" that we've developed after 2000 miles of cycling; a moderately strong tailwind helped a lot.

73.78 miles at an average speed of 16.6 mph!

Cycling past a field flooded by all the recent heavy rain

The farmer's not happy with his flooded field, but the cows are having a great time skinnydipping in their temporary swimming pool

As you can see from this roadside billboard in South Dakota, we're still a long way from Massachusetts (almost in a different country)

Eureka!

After leaving Bismarck on Friday, cycling with Carol's sister Janet Garrett and her husband John, we had several Eureka moments on Friday and Saturday:

Eureka 1: In the tiny town of Linton, North Dakota (population about 1300), we had a pleasant break from our pattern of small town cowboy/trucker mediocre restaurants and dined at a classy place serving Brazilian BBQ (Yum!, especially after a day of biking).

Eureka 2: We crossed another state border, arriving in South Dakota on Saturday.

Eureka 3: We got to our destination town of Eureka, SD

Brazilian BBQ in Linton, ND

Entering South Dakota

The great faces in this picture are John Garrett, Carol, Peter, Janet Garrett

Watch us biking (click to view)

Entering Eureka, SD

Joined by Family

     Today we had the pleasure of being joined in Bismarck, where we're staying for a rest day, by Carol's father Martin Beer, sister Janet Garrett, and Janet's husband John. We're looking forward to 5 days of biking with Janet and John. Martin will be driving a rental car and will join us at lunch and the end of each day.
     When we arrived in Bismarck yesterday, we dropped our bikes off at Barry's Bikes, a wonderful bike shop, for general tuneup: new chain for Carol, new tires, new gear cables, etc. We picked them up today, and they ride and look great. Barry also proved invaluable by giving us superb dining recommendations for dinner last night, lunch today, and dinner this evening.

 Carol, Janet, John, Martin

Peter, Carol, Janet, John

Carol & Barry at the bike shop

Another Milestone

     We hit another milestone today: 2000 miles. We also got to our first city -- Bismarck, ND -- since leaving Spokane 3 weeks ago. Bismarck is the capital of North Dakota and has a population of 60,000, considerably more than the 600-3000 in the towns we've been in recently. It was a pleasant change to eat at an upscale restaurant after 3 weeks in which our choice almost every night included nothing but burgers, steaks, and fried whatever.

2000 miles since leaving Boston on April 20

One of multiple crossings of the Missouri River on our trip so far. We've been alongside the Missouri frequently, beginning near its origin just east of the Continental Divide.

The only lunch spot 15 miles from Bismarck: atop an electrical relay box

A nice change from the roadside motels in which we've been staying recently

A nice change from the mediocre restaurants at which we've been eating recently

We're Halfway!

On Tuesday morning, we passed the halfway point of our trip, having done 1900 miles of the total of 3800 for the entire trip. Hopefully the second half will be as great as the first half has been.

We're still intact, in great shape & in great spirits, halfway through our trip

The only spot for a morning break today, and the only way to park our bikes

An oil pipeline being built. The oil industry in North Dakota is booming.

A herd of cows was meandering around aimlessly on a field by the road. When they saw us approaching, they all ran (yes, ran!) to the fence to watch us. The picture above is at the time when half of them had reached the fence. The picture below, moments later, was when they all had reached the fence and stared at us.