I've worn out my second
chain and now on my third as I reach North Dakota. Traveler is getting a
complete work over, cleaning all the drive mechanisms, making sure the air is
right in the tires, and installing a new chain.
It's goodbye Minnesota, a wonderfully friendly
state, gracious people, beautiful roads with wide shoulders, and terrific bike
paths! I will miss Minnesota; it is definitely a bike-friendly state. Hello North Dakota with your wide-open spaces,
limited amenities, strong winds, and vast empty plains. I will travel to Bismarck, and it is there
that I will take a hiatus as I leave the road to return to family affairs...Emily will be graduating
from her surgical residency and assuming the responsibilities of a
board-certified surgeon. Jennifer will be delivering our
third grandchild, a little girl, and I will be there for both of these
incredible events.
After this break in the
routine I will return to the road in order to complete my cross country trip.
At this point I must figure out how best to get to Bismarck, and once there, what to do
with Traveler, determine how to get home so that I can convey Andrea, my sweet
wife, to see our daughters and partake in their astounding events. Jennifer, my schedule is rather
tight so please get those contractions going!
Jose, Rachel, and I went out
for dinner at a Mexican restaurant (great food) and then took pictures around
town. A special thanks to Jose and Rachel for their very gracious hospitality!
It's nice to have new friends and I look forward to their visit to Illinois sometime in the future.
My day of rest while staying
with Jose and Rachel allowed me to have much-needed work done on traveler. Had
the derailleur adjusted, brakes adjusted, wheels aligned, spokes tightened and
added a new chain, second one of the trip. They seem to be good for only 1000 miles with
this kind of wear and tear. I have covered well over 2000 miles so far so it
was about time unless I wanted to change the back sprocket.
Special thanks also to the
Great Northern Bicycle Shop for doing such a fine job on Traveler on such short
notice.
I
feel rested, ready to hit the road again, and looking forward to this new phase
of my bike trip.
So glad to hear you're still finding great people to help you along your way. Enjoy your time with your family celebrating Emily's achievement and holding your grandbaby for the first time. Don and Moppet join me in wishing you all the best. Vaya con Dios.
ReplyDeleteSteve...I have a contact that has options for your bike storage in Bismark, ND. He will be in Bismark on Friday and perhaps the weekend. Let me know best way to connect you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Paul. My wife has taken ill. I have rented a car and I'm actually on my way home. I will let you know when I resume my trip.
DeleteWe were so fortunate to have had the opportunity to have you stay with us. I love how serendipitous moments on the bike trail create life long friendships. Jose and I are eager to stay with you and your wife at your beautiful home in IL. And, you are both (and your children and grandchildren too) always welcome if you find yourselves in Fargo-Moorhead. I might even have a chance to cook if you come back! :-)
ReplyDelete