35.2 miles/ +1192.5 ft/ Total miles 2648.9
I enjoyed the dinner and Medora Musical last night. I had a chance to talk to a number of people at the dinner – most of them from North Dakota and Montana. Many had been to the musical before. It is quite an amazing show, with a North Dakota flare. I hitched a ride back to town with a young couple from Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and had a chance to talk to them about my trip.
With the continued hot weather, I decided to get up early and start riding at sunrise (5 AM). There was another long-distance cyclist eating breakfast at the convenience store. He has been riding eastbound, but now wants to turn south toward Iowa, to get there in time for RAGBRAI. RAGBRAI is a huge organized ride across Iowa, which has been held every year since 1973.
View of the Little Missouri River (Medora) at sunrise:
Just a few miles west of Medora, I left the badlands behind and the landscape mostly returned to the rolling hills and occasional buttes.
Camel’s Hump Butte (3,130 ft):
And into Montana!
The continued hot weather is draining my energy. Today I rode 35 easy miles and arrived in Wibaux a little after 9 AM. I had a tailwind for the last 15 miles, so that went very quickly. The ride for tomorrow will also be easy, so I should be able to finish before the temperatures get too high and the wind comes up.
But looking ahead, I just can’t face the challenges with an optimistic outlook. So I looked for alternatives and hatched a plan. My warmshowers host in Glendive (tomorrow) has been a true Godsend – she is booked with other cyclists tomorrow but found another local person who will host me. And then that person found a host for me here in Wibaux. I am continually amazed at the generosity of people everywhere I go!
So I contacted the original host in Glendive and asked her if she could help me locate someone to drive me and my bike to Williston, N.D., where I can catch the Empire Builder westbound to East Glacier Park. She offered to drive me on Wednesday after she gets off work, and I have booked space for me and my bike on the train on Friday morning.
I am disappointed at missing a part of the whole cross-country experience. But it is more important to me to continue to have an enjoyable trip. I am looking forward to crossing Marias Pass in Montana, the ride through western Montana and into Idaho, and then finally crossing into Washington state and riding home! There is plenty of challenge left in this segment of the trip (including more hot weather). I feel confident I can finish the ride by doing this “leap forward.”
Judy's Bike Ride 2017 
Brilliant plan! Enjoy your great leap forward and then the ride from E Glacier will be so much more enjoyable. Sounds like Medora was a worthwhile stop for the local entertainment.
Bypassing a hot and less dramatic stretch would revive my spirits too! And the alliterative Boston to Bismarck by itself forever establishes your cred as a cross-country cyclist. Good that you are making the adjustments that keeps this adventure enjoyable.
Montana! So impressive to get to that very western state on your own two pedals, as it were! I think the train is a great idea, and I’m glad you’re limiting the amount you bike in really hot weather. I love trains so I envy you the train ride. I look forward to hearing how Amtrak is doing decades after I last rode trains in the west. The community around cross country cycling is amazing.
We’ll be happy to see you! And hot days in the Dakotas are definitely worth skipping! Mika sends his love.
I hope Wibaux is a “highlight,” but maybe not! My friend from there was just “home” there himself, and he is here for dinner tomorrow (Tues.) Enjoy Kay’s train. Quite the planning coup.