45.0 miles/ +1010.3 ft/ Total miles 2461.0
I got up early and pulled out of Hazelton at 6 AM. Even though I had only 45 miles to ride to get to Bismarck, and a tailwind when the road was headed north, I was not feeling good about the ride. Not just today’s ride, the whole ride. All morning, I was thinking about how to get my bike and myself back to Seattle.
When I got to Bismarck, I thought about riding to the bike shop to check on a few items I needed but also on the possibility of having them pack the bike to ship to Seattle. Instead, I headed to a motel close to the route, checked in for 2 nights, and took a shower. I called the bike shop after a while and Eric talked to me for quite a while, and mentioned that the shop had a person who could help me with any fit issues, and maybe some suggestions that would make it easier to continue on the trip.
After I had lunch, I looked to see how far it was to the shop – only 15 minutes on bike. So I took the panniers off, and rode over to 701 Cycle and Sport. Philip put the bike on a stand and started working on placement of the cleats, height of the saddle, and distance to the handlebars. Within an hour, he had made several changes that will improve my position on the bike and should be helpful on tackling the long miles and the hills ahead.
After he had started work on the bike fitting, Philip asked what my plans were for the Fourth of July, and then asked if I wanted to stay with him and his wife at their house for a day or two. So generous! Philip and Laurie have a beautiful house in the hills above Bismarck. I even managed to get out of the motel with my bill canceled – no charge! This is so nice for me – a chance to regroup, recover, and re-start the trip with some new energy.
So, in spite of how I felt at the beginning of the day, it looks like I will continue west from Bismarck, once I get some much-needed rest.
Early morning view from the road:
Eric and Philip with my bike (on the scale – 35 pounds) after all the work was done. Thank you 701 Cycle and Sport!
Judy's Bike Ride 2017 
Glad you can rest and regroup. I hope you will be happy to get back on your bike and finish the ride. Happy 4th.
Judy, just remember that you’ve planned and trained well for this ride, and are well past the halfway point! Give yourself a little break and see how you feel mentally and physically. Whatever you decide, lots of us admire the strength and positive attitude that have gotten you all the way from Boston to Bismark!!
Judy, of the long-run endurance things that I’ve done, there is (for me) always a pit around the 6/10 mark. Just push past that and soon you’re looking at 75% and rosier thoughts. It’s great that you found another competent and supportive bike shop. I bet there are more along the way. Happy 4th to you!
Ken and Barb
Judy — You rock! I appreciated our phone conversation earlier today. Your weighing of options to fly home or keep pushing is a key part of your journey, without a clear answer — it really is up to you to decide when this ride has been enough. Your ride is about what you want to get out of it; there is no shame is deciding you’ve accomplished what you set out to do short of the west coast. I gotta say, though, that I am delighted with your decision to plod on West! You will thoroughly enjoy Teddy Roosevelt National Park and Medora, ND — plan to spend a day touring within the park and hanging out in Medora; take advantage of the locally-famous Medora Musical. Your next stop, after the fireworks in Bismark, should be the Assumption Abbey in Richardton, ND. The twin towers of the Abbey are unmistakeable in this tiny town. Bruce Weber wrote about staying there in his book, “Life is a Wheel,” probably the best book in the genre of cross-country bicycle rides (due to the fact that Bruce is a professional journalist working for the New York Times and thus a good writer). Keep in touch as you head west. You can do this. Yet, it really is up to you. I’m with you each day of this ride. — Dave
Judy, two days off in Bismarck I believe would be truly recharging. What you’ve done so far is incredible although it does seem your schedule has been pretty aggressive. Perhaps a more relaxed view would help as you encounter the inevitable psychological walls. Snow won’t fall for quite awhile–you have plenty of time to get back home! The option to get on Amtrak bound for Seattle (or call me for retrieval) will continue to be there if you get into a day-after-day funk that simply doesn’t pass.
Happy Fourth Judy! Hang in there and consider more rest days and shorter daily miles. You have really had lots of big mileage days. Throwing money at motels and restaurants is also good for helping with recovery and the soul. We are all cheering you on!