55-New Salem- Richardton 

51.5 miles/ +1486.7 ft/ Total miles 2551.6

My plan had been to ride about 36 miles to Hebron, and then ride the remaining 39 miles to Dickinson on Saturday. I got an early start in nice cool weather (about 60) and some overcast so it stayed cool most of the morning.

About 5 miles west of New Salem, the ACA bike route goes on I-94 for about 12 miles. The riding info on the back warns of rumble strips on the shoulder and suggests that the gravel road alternative might be better for some riders. I had gotten conflicting advice from west-to-east riders but decided to go with the interstate. It turned out to be really easy. The rumble strips do go across almost the entire width of the shoulder but there is always a clear path about 12-18 inches wide at the far edge. And the rumble strips are spaced 30-40 ft apart, so it’s not a problem to avoid them. 

 I stopped at Glen Ullin and got a sandwich at the grocery store (no cafe). Everyone that came in or out of the store said hello to me, and many asked about my trip. 

Then I continued on Old U.S. 10 (the predecessor of the interstate route) to Hebron. I arrived there before 11 and found a coffee shop – iced coffee, a muffin and some cookies! Nice snack. 

Bricks at Hebron – known as “Bricktown”

The weather was still reasonably comfortable – the bank sign said it was 77 degrees – and although there wasn’t much wind, the little bit of wind was going my way. I hate to waste a tailwind. So I got back on the back and headed out for the remaining 17 miles to Richardton. Even though there was no shade, it was really nice to ride over the rolling hills. One more thing in my advantage – I crossed the time zone into Mountain Time. I arrived at Richardton at 11:45 – the same time I had left Hebron! Pretty cool trick.

After lunch, I visited the Assumption Abbey – Benedictine Monastery on the prairie. I had seen the twin church spires when I was still miles from town:

The church was built between 1905 and 1910. I think there are about 30 monks living at the monastery. The church interior is beautiful and has been well-maintained. 

The grounds are also nice and there is a wonderful view to the prairie below. I sat outside in the shade to cool off for a while before I rode back to town. 

I think tomorrow is the last day of relatively flat riding (although the rolling hills are definitely not flat!). After Dickinson, I will be heading into the North Dakota badlands and there will be more hills. I will continue to ride early in the day so that I can avoid riding in the hot afternoons as much as possible.