Day 5 – Monday May 25, 2009
Start: St. Cloud, MN
End: Dickinson, ND
Trip Miles Today: 453
Total Trip Miles: 2125
I always knew that it had to rain. Nobody could expect to make a journey such as this one and think that every day would be bright and sunny. However, the trip so far had been blessed with mostly magnificent weather. Until today. It’s not like I didn’t have any advance warning. Last evening the Weather Channel’s forecast map was showing basically my entire planned route as being covered in their varied pastel shades of green. Much to my surprise, I awoke to a leaden and threatening sky, especially to the West – where I was headed, but it was actually dry for my 7:30 am departure from St. Cloud, MN. In fact for the entire first hour, and through my first fuel stop it remained dry. But oh that scary looking Western sky! About 90 minutes into the day, and approaching the Minnesota/North Dakota state line it happened. In a few short miles the temperature dropped over 10 degrees (to an invigorating 55 degrees F), the wind picked up, and the precip began pounding down. Fortunately I had the foresight ( I cleverly surmised that multiple lightning bolts directly in front of me might be meaningful) to stop and change into my full rain gear minutes earlier so I was as prepared as I could be. The heavy rain didn’t actually last all that long but I rode another hour in the wet. Then, miracle of miracles, it dried up for a while and the temp went back up near 70 (where, as anyone knows, it really does belong). This pleased and encouraged me enough that I started shedding my rain gear. Silly me! The shedding of the rain gear only served to provoke the Gods into and even stranger series of weather events. Approaching Bismarck, ND it began to get much colder and the wind began to pick up again, this time about 25-30 mph steady winds (with higher gusts) out of the North and directly across my path. Oh yes, did I mention the fog? It got very foggy for about an hour or more and that lovely feature was also accompanied by a light but steady drizzle that lasted for 100 miles. By the time I arrived at my overnight destination, Dickinson, ND, I had been riding in temps just over 50 degrees for two hours and much of that time in rain and/or drizzle and/or fog. And always the wind! Not my idea of a perfect little Memorial Day ride!
You may have noticed I didn’t mention anything about my route. That’s because it was the simplest and least imaginative yet. At St. Cloud, MN, get on I -94 West. At Dickinson, ND get off I-94. The entire 453 mile ride today was on Interstate 94. I will say one thing however. The states out here in the desolate prairie certainly do take a more civilized view of the need to cover ground quickly. In North Dakota the speed limit is 75. That’s a number we East Coasters can only dream of. Furthermore, I can tell you with a great deal of certainty that at least some North Dakota State Police officers will apparently show no concern over a motorist doing about 85.
I-94 through Western Minnesota and North Dakota is not exactly the most photogenic or tourist destination packed of places. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention to you that I did make a stop in New Salem, ND to see “Sue, the World’s Largest Holstein Cow.” She’s a big one all right, and was the highlight of an otherwise tedious day. Look at that picture. Isn’t she a beauty? Those shrubs below her - they're full grown trees!
Tomorrow I hope to get to Western Montana, then Wednesday I’ll turn North with Calgary, Alberta my goal for Wednesday. The weather report for tomorrow is suggesting it might be a bit “cool” in the morning but warmer and sunny by mid-day. We’ll see how that goes!
If you go to the RevZilla Motorsports blogsite at blog.revzilla.com you can see more pictures and find more info on my ride.
The 2009 Ride to Alaska for The Austin Hatcher Foundation is supported by
RevZilla Motorsports at RevZilla.com and by Hermy's Cycles in Port Clinton, PA
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