Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Hope ND to Glyndon, MN 82 Miles June 18

Today, our ride was easy with calm winds and a slight downhill. Fargo, ND was our last town in North Dakota. Because Fargo is a city of 100,000 people we were concerned about finding our way around and negotiating traffic. But, those problems never materialized.

My main concern was that there was an annoying squeaking/chirping coming from my drive train. There was an awesome bike shop in downtown Fargo, Island Park Cycles. There were five mechanics and they had recently relocated the 20 year old store to larger quarters in an old railroad depot. 

From Depot to Bike Shop
All I needed was lube on the jockey wheels. I suspected that, but I had been putting the lube in the wrong place. I got a lot of relief for the whopping price of $2.00 and the best service I could have asked for.

Jen of Island Park Cycles, Fargo ND
After a latte fix in Fargo we crossed the Buffalo River into Moorhead, Minnesota. The first thing we noticed in Minnesota was a mother duck leading her ducklings along the wall of a sugar factory, we didn't know where she was going but when Pam stopped to take a photo the security guard from the sugar factory came to see what the excitement was all about. He was so excited to hear Pam's story, he didn't want to see her get back on her bicycle and ride away.

Ducklings at the sugar factory
We continued down the road to see several families of Canada Geese leading their young 'uns away from the road, up the hill, away from us.

We are extremely grateful to Kristin Johnson for hosting us tonight in the Lutheran Church in Glyndon, MN

Kristin Johnson, Family Minister, Glyndon, MN

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I'm impressed with Pam's handiwork also. She should have mailed the rug to me!
Well, these small towns may not be as sophisticated or "big-time" as our cities in Southern California, but boy, their bike shop is sure first-rate. Not to mention the kindness of strangers and beauty you've encountered in these tiny towns. I can hardly wait to hear about and see the legendary beauty of Minnesota.
Sorry I haven't been able to keep up with your blog quite as regularly. The end of the school year consumed a lot of my time, as well as getting ready for China. Also, btw, my identity has been stolen and I'm trying to straighten that out, which I think is going to be fine and that I was "lucky" (as you all are on your trip, if you know what I mean) how I caught it before it had hit the big time. Long story, but I'm just glad I got it before I went to China.
Have lots to do before I go and miles to go before I sleep, so not sure how regular I'm going to be in the future either, but just know I'm always thinking (and bragging) about you guys. And btw, thanks for all the pictures. That just makes it for me.
Love,
Hilary