Monday 17th July

Three days to update!


Sat. 15th  80 mile
                           To Abraham Lincoln State Park near Mandan
Rolling hills again today, but quiet roads in the main with very little traffic.


At times I did follow a railway line, and there are oil and coal being transported west.
At New Salem it was gala day. This is farming country, plus they have some dairy so the gala is called Cow Pat Show Day! There were floats, plus races which involved filling milk bottles (you have to run and collect the milk with hands or a rag and then drip it into bottles), I spoke to last years champions. Did not wait to see if they kept the title.



     Then on with the cycle as the day heated up. Camped at a historical park- The base from which Custer went on to fight and get killed at Little Bighorn. The area had reconstructed barrack rooms and the like. It was like a country park by the side of the Missouri river. I could see why the location was selected; the river meant good transport links to the west.
    No room in the campground, so I was put up in the horse enclosure on the hill. No horse in residence, but there was an RV, the owner gave me a beer.


Sunday 16th July
        58 miles to Hazelton
As I left the park very early in the morning there were lots of deer roaming around, enjoying the time before the heat.
Had to get past Bismark which is a city. Crossed the Missouri river which has widened in size.
 There were good cycle paths but concentration required to not miss turns. Then it was up and up. The temperature also went up and up to 101 degrees. The wind was a full on head wind. A very hard day. Fortunately, Tom is still around acting as support driver for Denise and Coby, and he stopped to give me more water, and at one point a popsicle! They were going on (as were other cyclists )to the next town, but I was done so camped in the park.


Monday 17th July
           66 miles to Gackle
Oh joy rain!  Never have I been so pleased to see clouds. Up around 4.30am and cycled the 26 miles to Napoleon by 7am with no headwind today. I was in the diner drinking coffee and tucking into pancakes, eggs, sausage and bacon by the time Denise and Coby appeared for their breakfast. A bit of lightning on the hills as I made my way to Gackle ,where I am camped outside the honey farm hostel.
There are quite a few watery ponds with birds nesting, plus ducks and mosquitos, so time to try some honey.

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