Day 46 – July 28, 2015 – Fargo ND to Fergus Falls MN – 75 miles
Long ride today. We had to wait this morning in Fargo for the storm to clear. Our plan to leave at 7 am moved to 8 am. No rain, clear day but omg, we got some wind.
It was almost as if North Dakota wanted to say “Good bye” to us. We had heard so much about the winds of ND. Actually the moment I got off the train in Portland, a bicyclist said to me “oh you are leaving now? You should have some mighty fine winds in North Dakota!!” He proceeded to tell me that his friends did it last year and had 40 mph winds. Ok, thanks guy, I will remember that. And in Hazelton ND the bar keep said to us “the winds of the prairie are worse than the Rockie Mtns!!” Well today the winds were fierce and cross, and head, and a tiny bit tail for a second, but they were winds. We made it these miles but it was not pleasant.
We moved from North Dakota to Minnesota with not much fanfare, there was no sign, nothing. We got to the first town Sabin and then we saw that the license plates changed and the grain elevation had the MN below the town name. Yep, as soon as we crossed the Red River we entered into a new world. It was new. As Gregg said, he asked someone about why Fargo seems to different than the rest of ND, well they said it was because it was so close to Minnesota.
Landscape also changes. If you go more than 50 miles you really see the difference. Today we ventured into rolling hills and cool little lakes in this state of 10,000 lakes (or maybe it’s more?).
It is much greener, we saw wind mills and wind energy, and solar panels. We have somehow crossed into another world.
We got lost today, once, twice or maybe three times. We missed our first right turn in Fargo and had to go back 1 mile. We missed another turn after Sabine. We were stopped on the side of the road and a farmer helped us out and showed us a short cut. That short cut turned into a weird, stressful, no shoulders and gravel shoulder world. We survived but it was stressful.
But eventually we got to Pelican Rapids. At one point we thought we should stay there, the winds, my hamstring muscle, generally maybe a good idea. But when we got there and the major industry was a huge Turkey processing plant, and the only bar was the VFW, and there were no restaurants open but perhaps a Mexican food stand, I said we should push on to Fergus Falls. Gregg was skeptical because of the winds. But we decided to risk it after meeting Steve at the VFW who had just walked 300 mile to South Dakota, and who showed us a shorter more direct route than what was on our maps. Steve was great, a fellow traveler. He bought us a beer and pointed us in the right direction. What more can you want? He also offered us a shower if we decided to stay in town (which would have meant a showerless city park). Good people everywhere. Thanks Steve.
Anyway, we made it to Fergus Falls. Happy to find a hotels and food after a very windy day. Tomorrow we are looking forward to a bike trail they say goes on for 160 miles. Let’s see?
auchandgrog
Hi Dan, Gregg here,
True that is…but we have found that road surface counts for a lot too.
Gregg
Dans
They say the wind is the mountain of the prairie…
auchandgrog
Hi Jim, thanks for getting back to us. That is a good tip about bike trails. We just looked at the link and it may help us. We are thinking of changing our itinerary. Have not decided yet. Gregg has a friend that not doing well and he may have to fly back to LA, we haven’t decided yet. Too bad we missed you. Would have been nice to see you. Let’s stay in touch! MN was very nice state to visit.
Audrey
Jim Castle
Hi Gregg,
Sorry, I just went back to your blog today and saw your post. I am not familiar enough with all the bike trails outside the Twin Cities to give you advice. I know Wisconsin has some rails to trails bike paths as well, but I think they might be too far south for your use to get to Manitowoc, WI. One of the trails would be the Elroy Sparta bike trail which links up to a couple other bike trails, http://www.elroy-sparta-trail.com. I do know from driving through Wisconsin that it is very rural and scenic. You will travel through some Amish country as well. And be careful on the roads, they also like their beer in rural Wisconsin, the phrase, “I’ll take that in a, to go, cup” comes to mind. I had to leave town a couple days ago otherwise I would have enjoyed stopping by one of your camps to meet you both. That should be a nice ride through Wisconsin. Enjoy!
auchandgrog
Hi Janet, Gregg here,
Thanks for the good vibes, I can feel them now.
Gregg
auchandgrog
Hi Rick, Gregg here,
Our end point in Wisconsin is Manitowec. We want to take the ferry from there to Michigan. What I’m looking for is a nice alternative (much shorter too) to the Adventure Cycling route. We need to make up some time and distance we lost getting through the heat wave that came right after we meet in Umatilla.
Thanks,
Gregg
Rick Stout
Hi Greg,
my compadresume and I met you and Audrey in Umatilla Orin June at the Java Hut I think it was.
Saw your question about Wisconsin 35 for biking. I have riden most of that route and I think if you follow MN 95 all the way to Cottage Grove MN and jump on Hwy 61 there you can get all the way to Winona MN with little trouble. Not pretty but few hills. Don’t miss the short cut in Hastings to cut off about 10 miles. Not sure what road but the intersection is on the south end of town.
Just an alternative. Not sure what your end point in Wisconsin is so that is a consideration.
auchandgrog
Hey Kate. Yes, sometimes it is really hard getting up in the morning. It is a slog but for some weird reason the getting on the bike is a wonerful thing. There is a zen in it or maybe a familiarity. The saddle is warm and leather. But yes, after a few miles and the conditions, whether mental of weather related, it gets hard. You create little rewards for yourself along the way. But, this is a HUGE country. I really have a totally different relationship to it now that I have traveled it by bicycle. We will keep moving. May have to alter our route a bit but we will make it across the country. (I hope!!?) Love you too. Auch
auchandgrog
Hi Jim, Gregg here,
I am wondering about a more dirrect route from Minneapolis to Manitowoc than the Adventure Cycling route. Do you have any ideas? I looked up the google route and it looks good to me…but what do I know. Is the WI-35 “Great River Road” any good for bicycles?
Thanks,
Gregg
Kate
I cannot fathom the mental determination it takes to get back on your bicycle every morning and pedal the distances you guys are doing. I was exercising on my stationary bike struggling to keep myself going long enough to be an effective workout, all the while imagining what it would be like on your trip, how you keep yourself pedaling. Thanks to your wonderful blog we are getting those insights, honest and raw.
I agree with Mike: it’s better to experience the desolation early and have civilization be the reward at the end. We do take so much for granted – thanks for reminding us of how extremely lucky we are. And BEE Hopeful!
Love you guys, keep on keepin’ on!
Janet Grandmain Heydenreich
Sending Good Vibes to you both
Safe Peddling 😊
Love the blog 🎈
auchandgrog
Hi Jim! I was just talking about you yesterday now that we have entered your state. It seems like we probably will not get directly into Minneapolis. At this point our closest place is Osceolo MN before we cross over into Wisconsin. I will keep you posted. You can also follow the blog. Right now we are about 3 days behind schedule. Wish us luck. We like Minnesota so far!
Jim Castle
Welcome to Minnesota! I have enjoyed following your ride. I commend you both, this sounds like quite the physical and mental adventure. It looks like some nice sunny weather and no storms for the next few days here. And yes, there are many long bike trails in Minnesota, they have gone all out on bike lanes and trails here. Despite the long winters many continue to commute by bike all year round. Enjoy your ride through the land of 10,000 lakes!