July 6th – Wolf Point, MT to Williston, ND
Mile 81: Welcome to North Dakota – The first time I have ever been to North Dakota, which is the only state on my tour that can make the claim.
July 6th Statistics – Wolf Point, MT to Williston, ND:
- Today’s Biking Distance – 103.3 miles
- Today’s Average Speed – 12.8 mph
- Today Ascent – 2,006 feet
- Today Descent – 2,128 feet
- Today’s Ending Elevation – 1,910 feet
- Total Trip Biking Days – 15
- Total Trip Biking Distance – 1,282.5 miles
- Total Trip Average Biking Distance/Day – 75.4 miles
- Total Trip Ascent – 46,572 feet
This post will be short. Besides being the second longest ride of the tour so far, 103.3 miles (my 2nd tour century), it takes the record (at least until tomorrow) as the longest time on the bike saddle in one day (over 8 hours). Again, I was one of only three bikers out of eight that rode the entire distance for the day. I left before 7 am (Mountain Time) and arrived in Williston (the US city with the lowest unemployment rate – <1% due to oil development) at 5 pm (Central Time). While my speed was relatively slow, 12.8 mph, the 5-10 mph headwinds combined with over 2,000 feet of climbing and bad Montana road conditions are to blame . Regardless, it was a fun day to ride with a few expections I’ll describe tomorrow.
Guest Susan and John left us tonight in Williston and caught an Amtrak train back to Chicago which leaves the 4 cross country riders (Robert, Doug, Jim and me). Tomorrow is the longest ride of the entire tour – over 120 miles from Williston to Minot, ND, where I will have a day of rest and catch up with my post and photos (and laundry/bike cleaning/sleep/muscle pain/etc.). I plan on leaving tomorrow morning before 7 am. Good night.
Steve Prichard's 2012 Cross Country Bike Tour 