Well, it's been awhile since we last posted. Too many things to do, so little time! But here's a brief(ish) recap of what we've been up to: 1. Eastern Montana and North Dakota are most definitely NOT flat. Anyone who says that they are have either only ridden in the car or are lying. 2. We caved one night and ate out in a restaurant in Miles City, MT. We also met the owner of the only bike shop in town and his name was Miles. 3. We caved another night and got a hotel room. No ragrets. Complimentary continental breakfasts are life. 4. On our first century ride, Ajelet had forgotten her gloves at our host's, Mutt's, house. Mutt had then caught up to us two hours later (20 miles into our ride) to return them. Go, Mutt! (That's her actual nickname). I then later got a flat. We also were riding in 103°F+ weather that day. So not the best day. 5. We have completed 4 century rides in total thus far. 6. I've discovered I love chai tea lattes. 7. We both milked a cow and shot a bow thanks to Lanel and Terry in Dickinson, ND. 8. We have had 0 tailwind days out of our 46 total biking days. West to East winds may be the norm, but Ajelet and I are breaking that norm. Perhaps we should buy a lottery ticket with our odds. 9. As soon as we crossed the ND-MN border, the weather did a 180°. It rained on us for a couple of days. But at least we got to bike through some tunnels and we rode on the first ever Rails-to-Trails trail made in the US (Elroy-Sparta trail). 10. We got to meet up with a fellow rowing teammate and stay with her in Maple Grove, MN and we got to see the new movie, Valerian. 11. Halfway into our ride to Maple Grove, a couple of dudes stopped us and gave us food and energy bars. They were on a road trip scouting out paths for a bike tour next year. What a fun (and much needed) surprise! 12. We got to enjoy a farmer's potluck and eat lots of fresh produce and fresh bread and homemade goat cheese. 13. Forgot to try the cheese curds in Wisconsin... 14. Have discovered that Salsa bike products are not worth purchasing. At all. 15. Got to try deep dish in Chicago (Rosati's) and was underwhelmed. But hey, it's still pizza so it's still delicious. We also did a bunch of the other touristy stuff. 16. It's weird being so close to so many people again. And having so many road options. Overall, this trip has included a lot of personal growth with lots of emotional ups and downs (physical ones, too). But I wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world. Sure, driving in a car would be a whole lot faster, but looking through a windshield is nowhere near the same as being on a bike (though maybe I might settle for a motorcycle 😜). There's something soothing in the repetitive nature of pedal biking--knowing that each pedal gets you one pedal further ahead. Next up, Indiana! Xtina
