Start: 7:30 AM

Finish: 5:10 PM  

Saddle Time: 6:37

Ascent: 112 feet

Descent:  197 feet

Miles: 81

Total Miles: 1,831

Highlight: Getting a new tire and chain at Paramount Sports in Fargo

Lowlight: I hate to mention it again but wind.

Cyclemeter:  Follow this link to see the data I’m collecting with the cyclemeter app. You can see gps information, speed, elevation, distance, cadence and heart rate. Better viewed on a computer where it’s easier to play around with the graphs.

I didn’t take many pictures today, I was solely focused on getting into Fargo, procuring a tire and getting out. I thought it might be a long day since the ride alone would be about 80 miles and I don’t know how much time I will need searching around Fargo for one in stock. There are several bike shops in town, two seem most recommended online and by people I’ve met, Paramount Sports and Great Northern Bicycle Company. Paramount is the closest and only about a block off route so that will be my first stop.

I have about 55 miles to get there and not much in between other than a gas station at about 30 miles. Winds are predicted to be out of the southeast so I will have some amount of headwind most of the day.  My route would take me due east for about 30 miles then a couple zigzags north and east into Fargo.

The morning ride was good as usual, a little windy but not too bad.  By the time I made my turn north the winds were blowing strong. I stopped at a gas station for sausage, egg, and cheese on a biscuit for second breakfast.  While eating my sandwich an older guy came up to me asking about my trip.  He said he used to live in Seattle in the 70’s-90’s and did a lot of cycling in the area.  He wishes he did this trip when he was younger, now in his 70’s or 80’s he didn’t think it possible.  He always stops and talks to cyclists when he see’s them passing through.

With my northerly turn I flew into Fargo, making 18-20 MPH with minimal effort.  I know this was a loan I would have to pay back once I head out of town back into the headwind.. After some searching for Paramount, riding by it a few times without noticing, I was able to find a tire that fits my bike. I planned on installing it myself either outside the store on later at camp but they asked if I would like them to install. I said sure, I can go across the street to Subway for lunch,  I also asked for a quick tuneup. He measured my chain and said it’a at about 100% stretch so really needs to be replaced.  This bike shop like most across the country are crazy busy now but they make special effort to fit in tourers. Greatly appreciated.

I’ve heard bike parts are in short supply which is why I was a little concerned about my tire situation.  I knew I could get one, just not sure if I could today.  I thought I may have to stay in town a few days and have one shipped.  The bike mechanic said the shortage is far worse than I’ve heard.  He said new bike custom builds that would take a week in the past now are more like a year. I recently heard something similar from a local I met who wanted a bike like mine. A bike shop said they could get him one in September, of 2022.

Once patched up and ready to go I headed southeast out of town and soon crossed over the Red River into Minnesota. There was no sign, just a marker saying I was entering Clark County. The road had a good shoulder but wide cracks every 10 yards so a lot of banging down the road, gave me a headache.

After about 10 miles due east I turned southeast directly into the headwind.  My already slow speed was cut to about <10 MPH for the rest of the ride.  I treated it like climbing, just keep peddling but it’s way less fun.  Scenery was more of the same crop but I am seeing fields other than corn and wheat, namely peas, I think.  I’ve been seeing them for days but much more now.

My plan for tonight is to stay in Barnesville. Two camping options are listed on my map, the county fairgrounds and a town campground.  The fairgrounds was on the way to the campground so I stopped by there first.  There was a fair going on, no camping. It would have been nice to walk around but I was way too tired. I made my way to the campground which is nice, a section for RV’s and a section for tents, $12/night with bathrooms and showers.

Before leaving Fargo I stopped at a grocery store to restock my dinner supplies. I wanted more cooked rice which I often can’t find in the small town stores.  I also bought a can of beans and later when I made it to Barnesville I stopped at the liquor store for a bottle of wine for a change, celebrating making my way to Minnesota. So dinner was cooked brown rice, black beans in a chili sauce and a can of sardines all heated up on my camp stove, washed down with a bottle of wine.  I’m ready for tomorrow.

I don’t have a plan for tomorrow other than head towards Alexandria.  I looked into making reservations in a motel since I haven’t stayed in one since Bismarck but decided to just play it by ear, see where I end up.  It’s a Sunday night so shouldn’t be too bad.